On a Sunday in September 1968, a BBC-TV Outside Broadcast unit established itself at the Waterloo Hotel in Blackpool to record a crown green bowls tournament to be transmitted on BBC 2. This was a complete innovation, because it was the first time a major competition for prize money was played on this famous green on the sabbath. Previously bowling was only allowed for pleasure on Sundays and the organisers strictly adhered to the wishes of the Lord’s Day Observance Society by not charging an admission fee.
Also, no betting was allowed. Nevertheless there was a full house and the only drawback to the day from the television point of view was that it ended in near darkness. The series was called the BBC Crown Green Masters Singles and the Producer was Ray Lakeland, Senior Sports Producer in Manchester. The commentators were Harold Webb, the political and industrial correspondent for BBC TV North, and George Woodcock, the TUC General Secretary, both keen bowlers.
It was the first time crown green bowling had been presented on television and sixteen top bowlers were invited to take part. The leading pair were the inimitable Billy Dawber and a young potential star called Noel Burrows. The competition was won by the favourite Dawber, who beat Dick Meyrick 21-12 in the final.
It was an instant success, and the BBC immediately commissioned another series for the following year. It was a personal success for Ray Lakeland and the crown green fraternity were overwhelmed at this breakthrough into what they called ‘the big time’.
The following year Ray decided to sharpen up the presentation and also bring in a new commentator to replace Harold Webb, who was unavailable. Harry Rigby had assisted Harold in the first series and was an acknowledged expert on the game. Harry virtually became a star overnight with his personalised style and colloquial Stockport phraseology. So Ray Lakeland, pioneered Rugby League on television and discovered Eddie Waring, another TV natural. That 1969 competition was won by one of the great characters of modern-day crown green, Roy Armson, who easily beat Larry Greene 21-5.
A change at the top of BBC2 during 1970-1972 meant a break in the progress of crown green bowling on television and the next series was not actually transmitted until 1972. Once again there was a major change in personnel, but Harry Rigby had now become the number one commentator. Another up-and-coming TV personality was teamed with Harry, the jovial Stuart Hall, who made an instant impact on TV viewers – particularly the ladies!
During this period an experimental series had been made for television. The players consisted of four ‘panel’ bowlers – professional players – who competed in a ’round robin’ tournament: Geoff Wardle, Roy Armson, Jack Everitt and Dennis Mercer. The idea was to brighten up the crown green game for television and specially coloured bowls were made.
Unfortunately, the idea didn’t work very well and consequently, in 1973, the TV series reverted back to what was then the standard amateur game. That 1972 series was won by the great Dennis Mercer, who defeated the 1970 Waterloo champion Jack Everitt in the final 15-9. What did stick from the experimental competition was the use of the coloured bowls.
TOMORROW: Part 4 - BBC Top Crown, coloured clothing and flat caps
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