Final preparations are under way at the National Bowling Centre, Northfield, for this year’s prestigious Ayr Bowling Week, first established 72 years ago.

Hopes are high that this year’s event will be as popular as ever … despite an initial “hiccup” which briefly threatened the important event taking place this year.

And plans are already under way to help ensure that the popular event is set to flourish again next year.

Enthusiasm for the forthcoming event, from August 1 to 6, is high … and almost forgotten is the fact that earlier this year the event had been under threat of not taking place as a result of necessary financial savings that South Ayrshire Council was being forced to make.

However the tournament was given the “go-ahead” following a meeting of the Council’s Administration, when extra funding was identified to ensure the event could take place.

Councillor Andy Hill, Leader of South Ayrshire Council explained: “As is well known, the Council has had to take extreme prudent action to maintain the Council’s expenditure for the coming year within an extremely tight budget. Budget savings of £150,000 were agreed by the Council in relation to events and activities.

“Considerable concern was rightly expressed by a range of people, including elected members of the Council, bowlers and members of the public over the proposal not to hold Ayr Bowling Week.

“At the first opportunity available we looked at the question of the tournament, and realising the mistake being made, agreed that it could go ahead at least for this year.

“This has allowed time for discussions to take place with appropriate interested parties who are prepared to take the lead role in safeguarding the event in future years.

“I am delighted to say that we have now had a meeting with a number of influential and knowledgeable people in the bowling world, regarding the future of Ayr Bowling Tournament, and we have mutually agreed the best way forward.

“Undoubtedly there has got to be joint working, the bowlers have got to take the lead role, and in turn the expertise which the officers of the Council have can help to facilitate arrangements for the event.”


Councillor Hill continued: “South Ayrshire is renowned for numerous sports activities – with bowls being one of the most important. The Council is proud of the Northfield Complex, into which considerable investment has been made, and we would want to ensure the continued enthusiasm and goodwill which exists with bowlers.”

Ayr Bowling Week, catering for around 1200 bowlers, is scheduled to take place from August 1 to 6.

Said bowling enthusiast Alex Cathie, a former winner of the Ayr Bowling Tournament, who had been critical of the Council’s brief consideration to cancel this year’s event: “The meeting that has just taken place, involving Councillor Hill and senior officers has been of tremendous benefit, and I feel confident that the bowling fraternity can work with the Council to take things forward and ensure the future of the tournament.”

Said writer, broadcaster, and bowls expert Ron Wyllie: “I was delighted to be involved in the meeting which looked at the future of the Ayr Bowling Tournament in an extremely positive manner.”

Said Derek Cunningham, the Council’s Head of Environment and Resources: “The future success of the event lies in there being joint working involving both the bowling community and Council staff, and in addition there is a clear requirement to maintain and if possible increase the level of commercial sponsorship for the event.”

July 2005