Visit Great Yarmouth Festival bowled over by success of annual competition

The annual Visit Great Yarmouth Festival of Bowls attracts competitors from across the country and runs over four weeks every August and September and features 12 different tournaments.

This year, leader of the Labour Group at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Councillor Trevor Wainwright, officially closed the festival after the final of the Over 60s Open Pairs on September 20.

The prestigious event saw more than 800 professional and amateur bowlers arrive in the town from August Bank Holiday Sunday to take part in hard-fought competition on the seafront greens.

Councillor James Bensly, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Tourism, Culture and Coastal management, said: ''This year's festival was a huge success with new formats in some of the tournaments. Everyone enjoyed some brilliant competitions.

''There were 11 new tournament winners this year and only one team managed to retain their title from last year. That shows what an important date on the bowls calendar the festival is.

''We were thrilled to present Claire Turner with a certificate of achievement - Claire entered five tournaments and won all five! This amazing feat has never been achieved before and we're delighted the event continues to go from strength to strength.

''The festival is only able to go ahead thanks to generous funding and support from Visit Great Yarmouth, plus sponsorship from Global Signs and Engraving, Wentworth Holidays, The Prom Hotel, Thompsons Food Service Ltd, Staffing Innovations, Town and Country Counselling, Jack and Bowl Parker Hydraulics and Pneumatics and Shemara Beach Refreshments.

''Special thanks also to the Festival of Bowls committee which works tirelessly, not just during the four weeks of the festival, but throughout the year.''

Asa Morrison, Chief Executive of Visit Great Yarmouth, said: ''We are really proud to sponsor the Great Yarmouth Festival of Bowls. Having an early Autumn event provides a genuine uplift for the seafront and is of real benefit to our local accommodation sector.'' 

The event's annual charity raffle also raised money for two local foodbanks.

The festival returns next year with news on online entries coming soon. The festival is always looking for new sponsors and, if your business is interested in being involved in the event, please contact the team via marketing@great-yarmouth.gov.uk

2025 Visit Great Yarmouth Festival of Bowls winners and prizes

Ladies Singles

Claire Turner (Acle St Edmunds)

Aylsham Bathroom Cup

£250

Men's Fours

Andy Sayer, Barry Footer, Richard Bunton, Regan Simper (Shouldham)

Dick Eglington Cup

£200 each

Men's Pairs

Josh Finch, Danny Cawthorne (Whissonsett)

Carlton Challenge Cup

£200 each

Men's Triples

Mark Turner, Andy Siely, Micky Brown (Mixed clubs)

Cavendish Challenge Cup

£200 each

Ladies Pairs

Claire Turner, Josie Tyers (Mixed clubs)

Joyland Challenge Cup

£100 each

Men's Singles

Mark Royal (Borough of Eye)

Great Yarmouth Borough Council Challenge Trophy

£800

Ladies Triples

Claire Turner, Josie Tyers, Jenny Kirby (Mixed clubs)

Triple Crown Challenge Cup

£75 each

Under 21s Open Singles

Sam Brugnoli (Buckden)

Raymond Harvey Driver Memorial Cup

£100

Mixed Pairs

Mark Turner, Claire Turner (Acle St Edmunds)

Mayor's Cup

£100 each

Mixed Triples

Mark Turner, Claire Turner, Micky Brown (Mixed clubs)

Great Yarmouth Mercury Challenge Cup

£100 each

Over 60s Open Singles

Andy Sayer (Shouldham)

Olive Savoury Cup

£200

Over 60s Open Pairs

Garry Oakley, Gary Goodrum (Wymondham Dell)

Brewer's Challenge Cup

£200 each