Memories
The first in a new 2024 series of articles looking at the history of local competitions. No.1 - THE ROGER CROWTHER MEMORIAL by Dave Parkin
On the 7th April at Logwood BC, the 3rd running of the Roger Crowther Memorial remembers one of the Colne Valley’s finest sons. Roger in his career won everything in Colne Valley with his team, Longwood or individually in the Merit (3 times – 82, 83 & 98 ) or the Pairs (3 times – 85, 98 & 04).
This event replaced the Vic Sugden Memorial in the CV calendar which Roger was Runner Up in twice (04 &11), The latter being to Paul Ingleby who took the 1st running of this event back in 2022 & had played alongside Roger in local events since the early 80’s.
He was a Yorkshire & Greater Manchester county player after falling out with Yorkshire selectors plus proudly represented the Colne Valley Federation too along with Huddersfield in the Inter District.
He came close to winning both the Huddersfield (Runner up 3 times) & Yorkshire Merits (Runner up 88) & won numerous other competitions locally including being twice Champion of Champions.
He was no stranger to going over the top to bring back big prizes from Lancashire too plus he proudly played with Longwood in the Manchester Premier League for years. The name R. Crowther (Longwood) was a regular on final day sheets.
Many including himself would say his breakthrough was in 1979, in travelling to the East Coast along with 6 other local bowlers in the final 32 & bringing home the prestigious, Gambart Baines title. It meant so much to him & his family that his widow, Wendy now sponsors a junior event attached to the Gambart Baines in his memory.
Roger may have passed but is certainly not forgotten around the Dodlee & Colne Valley greens,
Details of the 2024 version of the Roger Crowther Memorial competition are still available and entries are still invited. The qualifying rounds will be held on Saturday 6 April with the Finals Day being on Sunday 7 April.