With the opening ceremony for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games just around the corner, representatives from Warwick District Council and their guests were given the opportunity to try their hand at bowls on the world class Victoria Park greens that will soon be hosting the Lawn and Para Lawn bowls competitions.

Under the expert tutelage of Jane Wigman from Royal Leamington Spa Bowls Club, participants were given an introductory session to lawn bowls; one of the core sports of the Commonwealth Games programme since its inauguration.

The Leader of Warwick District Council, Andrew Day commented:

“I very much hope that one of the lasting legacies of hosting the Commonwealth Games is for more of our community to take up bowls. It’s probably one of the most accessible sports for all ages and abilities and totally addictive…I would thoroughly recommend it.”

At a separate event, members of the community with their own Commonwealth Connections were invited to share their stories at a reception hosted by the Council. Amongst the guests were former Visually Impaired Bowls England national champion and Disability Bowls England Ambassador Georgina Dark and Mary Hodges a member of Leamington Cycling & Athletics Club who has wonderful memories of volunteering at the Glasgow and Gold Coast Games.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls competitions will take place at the Victoria Park Bowling Greens from Friday 29 July to Saturday 6 August. Further information can be found on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games website.

As well as the bowls competitions the district is also proud to be hosting the men’s and women’s Cycling Road Races on Sunday 7 August, which start and finish in Warwick and are one of five free to attend events of the Games. 

For those who can’t get tickets, from 28 July to 8 August local residents and visitors will be able to enjoy all the live sport on the big screen and soak up the atmosphere of the Commonwealth Games at Festival Sites at the Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa and Market Place Warwick, which will be open daily from 10am to 10pm with food, drink and entertainment.

The international sporting events will be bookended by a month long CultureFest taking place at venues across Leamington Spa, Warwick, Kenilworth and Whitnash from 16 July to 21 August. Organised by Warwick District Council with the support of its partners, the festival will showcase and celebrate the incredible arts and heritage venues, artists, and creatives in the area.

Councillor Moira-Ann Grainger, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood and Leisure commented:

“We’re really looking forward to an amazing summer of sport, culture, and entertainment as we welcome the Commonwealth Games. The Council and our partners are extremely proud to be hosting such a prestigious, once in a lifetime, event and hope that the whole district will join the celebrations.”

For further information about the Commonwealth Games and to submit your Commonwealth Connections story, visit warwickdc.gov.uk/cg2022.