Bowls, birthdays and brilliance: Ipswich's Dougie rolls into his 100th year
Dougie Williamson has hit his century – but for the Ipswich & District Indoor Bowls Club member, turning 100 has certainly not meant packing away his bowls.
Why it matters: Dougie is believed to be the first active 100-year-old bowler in Suffolk, making his milestone birthday particularly special for the local bowls community.
The details: Having played football during his time in the Army and followed sport throughout his life, Dougie eventually decided to give bowls a try. Around 50 years later, he is still a member of Ipswich & District, where he has become a familiar and much-loved face.
- He is a regular with the club’s Early Birds, enjoying friendly roll-ups on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings with his friends Alan, Keith, Marion and Charlie.
- Their games are played at a more leisurely pace, often with a well-earned “half-time” break for a cup of coffee – and, if they are lucky, some of Dougie’s homemade cakes.
- Getting there is no obstacle. Dougie makes his own way to the club on his scooter.
The secret to his success: Dougie believes the most important thing is to do your best and enjoy yourself, whether you win or lose. Though, as he cheekily admits, winning every game would still be rather nice.
For Dougie, bowls offers far more than the chance to compete. It keeps him mobile and active, and lets him enjoy the friendships he has built over the years – as well as the ones he is still making.
What they’re saying: His friend Charlie Reed said: “On a good day, Dougie can still play a blinder. At 100, he remains razor-sharp and, above all, a true gentleman.”
The party: Fellow Early Birds marked the occasion with a surprise gathering at the club, complete with heartfelt speeches, homemade savouries and sweet treats.
The celebration came as a complete surprise to Dougie, and gave members the chance to celebrate not only his 100 years, but also the contribution he continues to make to the club.
The bottom line: A century on, Dougie is still bowling, still baking and still a much-loved face among the Early Birds – proof, as his club puts it, that “you’re never too old to enjoy the things you love.”
Happy 100th birthday, Dougie! From everyone here at the Ipswich.co.uk team, especially from Olly, our editor, who is a fan of bowling himself – and all of our readers.
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