History of Lincoln & District IBC

Lincoln & District Indoor Bowling Club Was Founded In 1971

The Lincoln & District Indoor Bowling Club was founded in 1971 by a group of Federation Bowlers with a four rink green sited in the city’s Boultham Park. For thirteen years a Steering Committee struggled to find a suitable site and raised the necessary finance. Building commenced and a Limited Company was formed with fifty Shareholders.

After a short time, the membership had increased substantially and a decision was made to extend the premises by a further four rinks; this being completed in 1983. In the summer of 2003 major improvements were made with a suspended ceiling, air control system, electronic scoreboards and redecoration. A new carpet was also fitted to the green surrounds.

A Management Committee of elected members administer the organisation and the Ladies and Men enjoy full equal membership. The membership fees are very competitive with concessions for under 18s and under 16s Junior Membership is only £1.00. There are coaching sessions twice a week and our membership is one of the largest in England.

A very forward thinking board of Directors appointed a General Manager in 2006 and the club has gone from strength to strength both on and off the green. Refurbished air conditioning system, restaurant, bar area, a re-roof to the entire building and now a modern blue bowling surface all go to make the club the envy of many. In addition our members can be counted on to support the club in the smooth running of high profile events. The subsequent hosting of PBA World qualifiers, the club’s own locally sponsored Lincoln Open Singles and, most recently, the Current Grand Prix Series is testimony to a great club spirit and good organisation. We are proud to have a reputation for excellence in bowls event hosting.

On the green, Lincoln IBC can claim many and various National titles: On a team basis, the EIBA Under 25 Club Doubles rinks went to Lincoln in the first two years of the competition (1987 and 1988) and in 2004 our men lifted the Denny Cup for the first time and the British Isles National 4’s winners in 2015. We have also lifted the Over 60s Double Rink title three times (2008, 2010 & 2013). The ladies have won the Vivienne Trophy title three times (2002, 2009 and 2011) and the Yetton in 2011/12 and 2012/13.

We can also boast many individual title winners over the last 10 years or so including the National Mixed Pairs, Mixed Fours, Mens and Ladies Triples, Mens Pairs, Mens Singles, and Under 25 Singles title, and the British Isles Mens Four in 2015. Current International Billy Jackson was also crowned WBT World Indoor Singles Champion in 2009. The club has also provided the National President of the EWIBA – Joan Rodwell in 1982/83 and the EIBA National President – John Fulcher in 1999/2000. We are proud to offer a warm welcome and hospitality to all our visitors and have opened our doors to all who wish to watch the Grand Prix Series on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the year.

2023 has been an outstanding year in that we were selected to host the EBF National Championships. Our General Manager, Danny Brown, was successful in winning the National Singles title. Club Members, Richard Ashton, Greg Smith and Dennis Skayman were successful in winning the National Triples title and several of our club Members were selected in the Derbyshire Trophy team representing Lincolnshire, who also won the National title. 

We are delighted as a Club to have been selected to host the EBF National Championships again in 2024!