As
in most places in this wide world, there are Knottingley Scots ‘wha hae
wi sassenach’s dwelt’. And to the lasting glory of their begs and
bens, so they remain. Over a period of years, contact with the natives
might have brought some Anglicising influence, at least on their sporting
pursuits; and in a centre such as Knottingley, their conversion to Rugby
League football, or pigeon racing, could scarcely be held to constitute a
flaw in Scots character. But diamond has cut diamond, and Knottingley must
acclaim the tougher gem. So, far from succumbing to the lure of Sassenach’s
sport, the Scots have implanted their own and with such effect that
Knottingley, without knowing it, may now have an international reputation.
For
what? The question is answered in a hut in Jackson Lane, where the stage
is now set for the game of carpet bowls. A little while ago some twenty
Knottingley people would have acknowledged lamentable ignorance of a Scots
institution. Now they are wiser, happier and considerably more skilful
people. They are also members of the Rose and Thistle Recreation Club and
Anglo-Scots - or, more intimately, Knottla-Scots - a body devoted to the
pursuit of carpet bowls. This thing has possibilities; it is only three
years since the first players in Knottingley got together at the home of
Mr. M. McLauchlan and used his carpet. Now they tread one of their own at
Jackson Lane. Mr. McLauchlan and another Scot, Mr. J.G. Baird, are the
founder members of the club. The secretary is an Englishman, Mr. B.J.
Reeves.
The
carpet is 24 feet long and you bowl through an iron hoop towards a ring.
There is no bias on the woods and those who finish nearest the centre
count most The game is about 100 years old, and was invented by the Scots
for something to do when they were not curling or playing golf. There are
198 clubs in Scotland and something over 50 in England, mostly in the
Bolton and Manchester districts. Mr. McLauchlan says the game is strongly
established among miners in Scotland and hopes to introduce it to
Featherstone. Meanwhile, Knottingley remains one of the only two clubs in
Yorkshire.
