Club celebrates as they are crowned 'Champions of the North'

Carlisle Subscription Bowling Club, based off Myddleton Street in the city and home to around 80 members, earned the title after winning the Tony Alcock Trophy, a prestigious national competition for mixed over-60s teams.

The club was first named county champions before progressing through the northern rounds, where they defeated top teams from Lancashire, Northumberland, and Yorkshire.

Their campaign culminated in victory over Leicestershire’s Shepsted in the Northern Regional Final, played in Dunnington last Sunday.

The team now advances to the quarter-finals at the National Finals in Leamington Spa later this month.

Bryan Steel, club president, said: "Everyone at the club are very proud of the teams achievement and the level of skill , team spirit and enjoyment in playing that they have shown , and for a relatively small local club to achieve such a level of success at County and Regional level is a fantastic overall achievement"

Lawn bowls enjoys strong support across Cumbria, with more than 2,000 active members and 38 clubs affiliated to Bowls England.

Carlisle Indoor Bowling Club further boosts that number.

The sport is not only popular but also recommended by health professionals.

NHS physiotherapy teams and Cumbria’s Community Care and Crisis team encourage people to take part, highlighting the positive impact on mental, emotional and social wellbeing.

The NHS Cumbria Community Care and Crisis team said: "To be involved within the community, being part of something/contributing to something, can not only significantly positively influence your mental and emotional well-being but also your social functioning and overall quality of life. We therefore believe the potential well-being improvements, by considering joining bowls for beginners, are profound."

The Tony Alcock Trophy features two mixed fours teams aged 60 and over, and is regarded as probably the most prestigious Mixed fours Club competition in the country.

It offers clubs a chance to compete on a national stage against the best in England.