British Blind Sport Tenpin

As the National Blind Tenpin Bowling Association is closing due to a lack of volunteers in May this year, some of our bowlers have decided to join the British Blind Sport (BBS) Tenpin Bowling leagues.  The first of these that we will be taking part in is the Summer Pairs which begins on 16 May 2022 with our first match on 18 May.  

For more details click here.

Swindon Bats v Zurich Community Trust

Swindon Bats recently challenged Zurich Community Trust to a tenpin bowling match which took place on 22 March at Tenpin Swindon, Shaw Ridge Leisure Park.  It was the first such challenge in over 2 years with the last one taking place in November 2019.  Lockdown and Covid restrictions were to blame for the delay in getting together again. 

Everyone arrived by 6.45 pm and the first game began at around 7 pm.  There was much anticipation and excitement as the match progressed with strikes and spares on both sides. 

During both games, the players for ZCT were encouraged to wear simulation glasses for frames 4, 5, 6 and 7 to give them some idea of how some of our bowlers see and how it affects their play. 

After game 1 the score was 3 to us and 1 to ZCT.  There was then a short break while glasses were replenished.

Game 2 began with the same excitement and enthusiasm, and with more strikes and spares scored.  The final score was 5 and a half to Swindon Bats and 2 and a half to Zurich Community Trust.

The teams were:

Swindon Bats: Sue, Diana, Shaun, Andy, Stuart, Georgia, Glynn and Pete (a volunteer who also used the simulation glasses)

Zurich Community Trust: Tony, Vicki, Rebecca, Lucie, Kenny, Kate, Alexandra and Andy

Highest Scorers were:

Swindon Bats:                                    Andy (160)

Zurich Community Trust:               Alexandra (136)

Thank you to Mark Flay (Volunteer & Partnership Manager for Zurich Community Trust UK Ltd) for organising this event – here’s to next time!

Click here for the photographic evidence!

Absent Friends Competition 2022

This competition is played in memory of all those who were regular bowlers but have now sadly passed away.  The first games were played on 12 January, and the competition will continue until 7 December 2022.

For full details, and the latest league table click here. 

Simon Bowen

On 12 July 2021, Simon, an active member of Swindon Bats, sadly passed away having suffered some severe health problems for some time. 

For many years, Simon regularly took part in our Wednesday afternoon tenpin bowling sessions with great enthusiasm.  He enjoyed some playful banter with his team mates and became particularly excited when he won (he was very competitive)! 

In May 2016, Simon and his team travelled to Wigan to take part in the National Blind Tenpin Bowling Association’s Winter Trios competition finals.  After a day’s bowling, he was very excited to discover that his team had come 3rd in this competition.

Simon also attended our Monday Club on a regular basis and enjoyed sharing information and demonstrating various gadgets that he found useful as a totally blind person.  These gadgets included a 1-cup machine for boiling just one mug of water for making a drink.  This allowed him to make a hot drink without overflowing his mug with boiling water. 

Sadly, a few years ago, Simon had to give up his participation in tenpin bowling for health reasons –his team has not played so well since!

Simon was a keen writer of verse - see some great examples on our new page 'The Blind Poet'

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Last Updated: 19th May 2022