Club History

 

A small number of visually impaired people had been bowling at Yeovil Bowls Club for five or or six years, when it was suggested that an official club be formed. Members wanted to take part in the growing number of national visually impaired bowling tournaments being organised by the English National Association of Handicapped Bowlers now known as Visually Impaired Bowls England (VIBE).

 

With the help of Julie Shorrock (the social worker in the area at the time for the visually impaired) and members of Yeovil Bowls Club, together with some financial help from the Somerset County Association for the Blind, the Yeovil Visually Impaired Bowls Club was officially formed. (The Somerset Association for the Blind, is now known as Somerset Sight)

 

1993 saw the beginning for Yeovil Visually Impaired Bowls Club with seven visually impaired bowlers and four sighted helpers. A committee was formed and as the club and membership grew, fundraising took place and the club formally became a registered charity in 1998.

 

Yeovil Bowls and Squash Club continue to support the YVIBC, providing free use of the outdoor greens in the summer, and use of the indoor rinks (at a reduced rate) in the winter. Members of the YVIBC are welcomed as invited guests and the full facilities of the club are available one morning a week throughout the year.