The BWBA hosts several weekends at its headquarters in Stoke Mandeville. Traditionally the first one each year includes a pairs competition in memory of the late Kay Pipe. The Kay Pipe Pairs matches up the more experienced bowlers with those with less experience – a formula that is popular and works well.
The matches are short and sharp. Points are scored for winning and for shots scored, so there is an incentive to draw, draw, draw rather than fire.
Training Weekend debutant John Fenton was paired up with the well-travelled, and equally well known, George Ridgeon. However, they were not to fare well by the end of the competition. In third place were Val Bradley & Howard Dare and probably the most experienced pairing of Percy Powell & John Appleton who shared third spot. Runners-up were local bowler Michael Bull & Kevin Woolmore but the honours were taken by Bristol’s Paul Brown who teamed up with Bolton’s Mark Morris.
BWBA President, Terry Fitzgerald presented the prizes to the winners and also thanked all the volunteer helpers from Stoke Mandeville IBC who worked so hard during the weekend.