First Combined Services Bowling Competition at Colgrain Bowling Club raises £360 for SSAFA

18 August 2025

Bowling clubs from Campbeltown to Dumbarton were invited to participate in the inaugural Combined Services Bowling Competition, which took place at Colgrain Bowling Club in Helensburgh last month.

Participants and spectators were welcomed to the bowling club with a selection of breakfast rolls, teas and coffees. Once fed and caffeinated, 11 teams, each with three players, took to the green to compete for silverware. Graham Hendry, Stewart Taggart and Angela Pearson of “Bridge Too Far” took top spot, while Vinny Carr, Ian McFarlane and Rhona Jay of “Ice Cold in Alex” were the runners-up. 

Funds were raised through donations from bowlers and an assortment of raffle prizes, ranging from screwdriver sets to boxes of chocolates, to wine and spirits and bowling accessories. In the end, nearly everyone left with either an award from the competition or a prize from the raffle. 

The event was hosted by Colgrain Bowling Club, and organised by Malcom Rodger and his wife Debbie, who are members of the bowling club. 

Malcolm commented: “We wanted to organise a competition that would support physical and mental wellbeing amongst Armed Forces veterans, encouraging people to get together with friends to play a game they love. In the end, it offered smiles, laughter and banter of the highest order, all while supporting the important work that SSAFA does. The day ended with several requests for invitations to next year’s event, so we can confirm that planning will start at the end of this season.”