Kirk Ella and Willerby Short Mat Bowling Club, located in Hull, is a community club that welcomes new members and encourages them to come and try out the sport of short mat bowls. The club was established in April 2007 by Dan Tunnicliffe, who is now the Honorary President of the club. The primary purpose of the club is to provide a fun and sociable activity for the older people of Kirk Ella, Willerby, and the surrounding area, to combat social isolation.
The club meets at St Andrew's Memorial Hall on Beverley Road, with ample car parking available at the hall and a free public car park nearby. Buses also run to Willerby Square, making it easily accessible for members. The club currently holds sessions twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, from September to April. The bowling starts at 2pm and ends at 4pm, with an additional 30 minutes allocated for setting up and packing away the equipment.
Short mat bowls is played indoors on a 45ft x 6ft wide foam-backed carpet. The objective of the game is to have your bowls or team's bowls closer to the jack than your opponents. The bowls used are similar to those used in lawn bowls, heavy and with a bias. To add an extra level of challenge, a block of wood is placed halfway down the mat.
The club provides three mats and sets of club bowls for anyone who wants to try the game.
The club originally started with two second-hand mats and a few sets of used bowls, but with increased popularity, they have been able to purchase new mats and additional equipment with financial help from East Riding Council and Willerby Parish Council. The club now has three mats and a range of equipment available for use.
To ensure equal participation and foster a sense of community, teams are randomly allocated before each session. Each member draws a disc from a bag, indicating their mat, team, and position for the first six ends. After every six ends, a rotation called “all change” takes place, allowing players to experience different positions within their team and giving them the opportunity to play with and against different club members.
The club welcomes anyone who wishes to try short mat bowls, with the first visit being free of charge. Club bowls are available for borrowing, and new players receive guidance and assistance from experienced members. It is not necessary to have any prior experience in bowling, as the majority of current members had never bowled before joining the club. Newcomers are encouraged to bring clean, flat-soled shoes to protect the mats and are advised to arrive before 1:45pm to ensure the availability of club bowls.
As a friendly and inclusive bowling club, Kirk Ella and Willerby Short Mat Bowling Club provides a welcoming environment for all individuals in Kirk Ella, Willerby, and the surrounding area to enjoy the sport of short mat bowls while socialising and forming bonds with fellow members.