Message sent on behalf of Tony Allcock MBE – Bowls England Chief Executive

To: County Secretaries/County Administrators/Friends of Bowls England/Presidential Team/Selectors/Team Managers/Media

Cc: Bowls England Board/Bowls England Staff

As you may already know, John Woodcock MP has been very supportive of our efforts to highlight the worrying trend in bowling green closures. His Private Member’s Bill and Early Day Motion in Parliament, as well as his constituency campaign, have all been valuable in raising the profile of bowls in Westminster and among the wider general public.

Due to the busy Parliamentary schedule, it is clear now that John Woodcock’s Private Members’ Bill will not receive a Second Reading in Parliament until next spring at the earliest. As such, John has proposed a lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 13th July in an effort to ensure that the campaign maintains a healthy momentum. This is a great opportunity to make an impact with MPs and the Government, but it can only be successful with your support. 

The lobby of Parliament will involve two elements:

1)            A gathering and a game of bowls on College Green (outside the Palace of Westminster)

2)            Individual meetings inside Parliament with your MP to discuss our concerns about bowling green closures.

The game on College Green will be a fantastic photo opportunity and is likely to be picked up by the media, as well as catching the attention of Parliamentarians and passers-by. Meeting your MP will consolidate our ongoing efforts to highlight the challenges that we are facing and to put forward our recommendations. This will build on the many letters that have already been sent by clubs to MPs on the subject.

If you are able to travel to Westminster on Wednesday 13th July I would strongly urge you to do so and take part in this rare opportunity to generate the publicity that bowls deserves.

Please note the following points:

1)            For maximum impact it is recommended that you wear appropriate club/county colours.

2)            Please arrive at College Green, Westminster, by 10:45am on Wednesday 13th July. I would expect it to finish

               anywhere between 1-3pm, depending on the availability of your MP.

3)            To ensure your MP is aware of your participation and able to meet you on the day, it is worth notifying them

                in advance. A template letter/e-mail is available from our Development Officer, Alistair Hollis. Please let

                Alistair know if you are planning to attend by e-mail: alistair.hollis@bowlsengland.com and he will forward

                the template to you.

Thank you in advance for your support and I look forward to meeting many of you during the Lobby on what I’m sure will be a very successful day.

Tony Allcock MBE

Chief Executive – Bowls England