The Griffin 1980
Following on from the two previously reported episodes in 1979 and 1991 when snowploughs were needed to dig the Griffin green out of the snow to what happened in between those years. The introduction of snowboards enabled the bowlers to clear the green in preparation for competitions without mechanical aid as can be seen in the photo below. I am grateful to Paul Rangeley for this cutting from The Examiner from 1980 and Paul is in the photo on the right. It could be the other two clearers using the board are Andrew Sykes and Graham Beck.
The above photograph shows action on the green before the start of one of the qualifying days of the 1980 Stones Cup at The Griffin Inn. Eddie Haigh was the eventual benefactor from all the activity in making the green playable as he came out on top by beating 1977 winner, Brian Starkey 31-30, and then double 'Champion of Champions' winner John Wright 31-21 to go through to the next round of the competition.
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