Bowling News
The Gambart Baines competition is being staged once again at Scarborough this year and this is a competition that has always been well supported by Huddersfield area bowlers. Different format this year as described below but it is a good day out and good to see a resumption of this popular competition after the pandemic. In past years the qualifying rounds have been held every Thursday through the summer months and you can enter as many times as you like with all the daily winners progressing to Finals Day. This year the qualifying rounds are staged over two weekends with 3 opportunities on each Saturday and Sunday. Full dates and details below.
The Gambart Baines Cup has been contested in Scarborough for over 100 years since 1919. The full history of the competition can be found further down this posting.
Entries needed for the 2021 Gambart Baines. Running alongside the new Junior Gambart and also qualifying around the Whitby Festival. Get entries in now so we can sort out sessions. Once entered please send entry fee with account details to Paul Morgan Nat West Sort Code 54 41 24 Account 47745487 Send a message to say paid and name of entry as a reference. Or Cheque made out to Gambart Baines to 22a Eastborough, Scarborough YO11 1NW.
The Junior Gambart competition for the Roger Crowther Cup will be staged alongside the Gambart Baines competition and more details about this tomorrow.

The Gambart Baines Story
The Gambart Baines Challenge Cup, first won by Mr Zena Smith from Cleckheaton in 1919 is still proving to be popular over a hundred years later. This annual competition played on two crown greens in Alexandra Gardens, part of the Scarborough Bowls Centre, attracts competitors from all over Britain. The competition is organised and managed by volunteers from the nine clubs who make up the Scarborough and District Crown Green Bowling Association.

The final usually takes place in August when a minimum of 32 qualifiers compete for the magnificent Gambart Baines Cup.
Ernest Gambart Baines (1858-1920) was the son of Clementina Baines, who owned a waxworks, which toured in both England and France with Madam Tussaud. Originally brought up in Newcastle, he moved to Leeds from where he, like his mother, operated a touring waxworks. He moved to Scarborough in the early 1900’s and ran the Gambart Waxworks exhibition in Scarborough from 1904.
One of his interests was Crown Green Bowling and he was associated with the Pavilion Bowling Tournament for many years and gave considerable support to the Scarborough Bowling Tournament. The handsome Challenge Cup which is used today was first presented by Ernest Gambart Baines in 1919.
He was a staunch Conservative and represented Scarborough’s Central Ward from 1917 until his death in 1920. He was a generous benefactor and presented the town with its first motor fire engine, named Jessie after his wife. He also gave Scarborough the Foreshore water fountain as well as supporting Christ Church by providing prayer books.
Good to see that the junior competition trophy has been named the Roger Crowther Cup. Roger loved this competition at Scarborough. Not sure how many times Roger won the competition but think it was several.
Hazel