Some historians believe that bowls was developed from a game played by the Egyptians, this is based on artefacts found in ancient tombs dating from around 5000 B.C! However, the most famous reference to a game of bowls in history must be the story of Sir Francis Drake. It is said that in 1588 Drake was playing bowls, when the Spanish Armada attacked he apparently replied 'We still have time to finish the game and to thrash the Spaniards, too.' He lost the bowls but beat the Spaniards!

Bowls has been played in England for many years and there are references to it throughout history. The oldest bowling green in England is in Southampton which according to records has been used as a bowling green since 1299 and King Henry VIII banned bowls in 1511 among the 'lower classes' to ensure that only the wealthy could play!

The English Bowling Association was founded much later - in 1903 and organises numerous competitions from club to national level. Bowls is played all over the world, the World Bowling Board (WBB) is responsible for encouraging the growth of the game and ensuring a standardisation of rules across nations. There are many local clubs across the UK, such as Folkestone Bowls Club which welcome people of all skills and abilities to come and try their hand at bowls.