Lawn Bowls - Mats

Robust, rubber, regulation bowls mats. They measure 14 x 24 inches (35.5 x 61.5cm); either white and black or yellow. Available in pairs, fours or you can buy an extra-discounted pack of ten or twelve. See below for prices.

Rink protector which is made from strong polypropylene mesh. This is a good mat for generally protecting each end in bad weather from too much wear from people milling around, bowling or waiting to bowl, etc.

Rink protector measures 250 x 240cm (Approx 8' x 7')

Crown Green footers. They measure approx 14cm or 5½" in diameter. We sell these either in pairs whereby we usually only keep stock of the Black Crown Green Bowls Footers. Or in packs of ten in any of the colours shown on the left.

Regulation Foot Mats (pair, black with white border)

Regulation Foot Mats (pack of 4, white with black border)

Regulation Foot Mats (pack of 10, black with white border)

Regulation Foot Mats (pack of 12, black with white border)

Yellow Regulation Foot Mat (pair, yellow)

Regulation Foot Mats (pack of 4, yellow)

Regulation Foot Mats (pack of 10, yellow)

Regulation Foot Mats (pack of 12, yellow)

Rink Protector

Crown Green Footer (pack of 2) - Black

Crown Green Footer (pack of 10)

The Origin of Bowls

Bowls historians believe that bowls developed from the Egyptians.  One of their pastimes was to play skittles with round stones.  This has been determined based on artefacts found in tombs dating circa 5,000 B.C.  The sport spread across the world and took on a variety of forms, Bocce (Italian), Bolla (Saxon), Bolle (Danish), Boules (French) and Ula Miaka (Polynesian).  The oldest Bowls green still played on is in Southampton, England where records show that the green has been in operation since 1299 A.D.  There are other claims of greens being in use before that time, but these are, as yet, unsubstantiated

King Henry VIII was a lawn bowler.  However, he banned the game for those who were not wealthy or "well to do" because "Bowyers, Fletchers, Stringers and Arrowhead makers" were spending more time at recreational events such as bowls instead of practising their trade.  Henry VIII requested that anybody who wished to keep a bowling green pay a fee of 100 pounds.  However, the green could only be used for private bowls play and he forbade anyone to "play at any bowle or bowles in open space out of his own garden or orchard". In 1845, the ban was lifted, and people were again allowed to play bowls and other games of skill.

Nowadays, Bowls is a hugely popular world sport. It appears in a variety of guises - Lawn Bowls and Indoor Bowls are recognised International sports with formal bodies at all levels. Crown Green Bowls is also a major pastime for thousands of people but this game is restricted more to the British Isles. The smaller modern indoor versions of the game - Shortmat Bowls and Carpet Bowls are also more of a British game but are less popular. Table Bowls appears to have turned up in the 19th century around the Carlisle area and although, it has never become hugely popular has apparently spread as far afield as Australia...

You can learn more about the Bowls from from The Online Guide to Traditional Games.