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Sport - Skittles
The annual Lewes skittles competition has been running in
Grange Gardens since 1968, when ‘The Kings Head Kingpins’
walked away with the main trophy. It has become one of the
mainstays of Lewes’ social calendar, and every year
over 150 teams enter, attempting to underhand-roll 6-inch
diameter wooden balls along a bumpy mat in order to knock
down nine foot-high wooden skittles. “There must be
some skill in it,” says John Burfoot of the Rotary Club,
which organises the event, “because the same team has
won for the last two years. But I can’t see it.”
The team in question, Rolf’s Didgeridoos, have in fact
won the competition five times in the last nine years, so
he’s right: despite the bumpiness of the mat, and the
non-roundness of the ancient balls, there is quite a lot of
skill involved. Accuracy and power help.
As we go to press there is still room left to enter a team
(which costs £18 for men and £15 for women, click
here
for details) on any day from Tuesday to Friday. Monday evening’s
lanes are full. You must register at least a day before you
play. Teams must be eight strong: each competitor gets to
throw their three balls a total of five times. The best teams
play again in the final on Saturday. There is a licenced bar
set up for the occasion, and various stalls are set up with
food and raffles. Spectators are welcome – there is
a bucket for donations. All proceeds go to Rotary Club charities
and the Victoria Hospital – usually about £10,000
is raised. AL |
