Llandrindod Wells Bowls Club & Friends embarked on their 31st annual tour this year, the second consecutive indoor trip following 29 outdoor tours.

For 2025, the group visited a new destination, Bognor Regis in West Sussex. After a smooth motorway journey on the Sunday, the team began their campaign on the Monday afternoon at Adur Indoor Bowling Club in Southwick, near Brighton. The modern eight-rink venue provided a spacious and welcoming setting, but the tourists were narrowly defeated by a strong host side, 147 shots to 118.

On Wednesday, following a free morning, the Mid Wales bowlers enjoyed a successful afternoon at Arun Indoor Bowling Club, located next to Bognor Regis Town Football Club’s ground. On the six-rink green, the tourists recorded a solid 111-99 victory. Thursday was reserved for shopping and sightseeing in Portsmouth.

On the Friday, the tourers travelled for around an hour to Horsham & District Bowling Club, which is about 40 miles from London. The venue, like the others visited, featured an impressive clubhouse and an eight-rink green, reportedly playing on the fast side. The Brecon & Radnor bowlers faced a very strong Horsham team and suffered their second defeat of the week, losing 175-100.

Despite the loss, the visitors received a warm welcome. The main lady serving refreshments, a Welsh native from Cardiff, ensured the tourists felt at home, adorning the clubhouse with Welsh flags, bunting, and serviettes, and even providing homemade Welsh cakes. Adding to the connections, tourer Margaret Hart was a former member of the host club.

More recently, on Sunday, November 9, a fortnight after returning from Bognor Regis, Llandrindod Wells Bowls Club & Friends faced the Radnorshire Indoor Stadium team in their annual friendly challenge match. Having played indoors on tour - rather than outdoors as in the previous 29 years - the contest was more of “a level playing field” than in several previous years. However, the Stadium team gained revenge for last year’s narrow defeat, winning this year 101-91.

Following the friendly match, tour organiser Ken Price presented the funds raised during the week through fines and donations, with £450 donated to each charity. He also revealed that the tour has raised around £10,000 for charity over the past 15 years.

Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club captain Ann Edwards presented the funds to Cath Carroll of Hope House Children’s Hospice and Reg Cawthorne of The Bracken Trust. Both recipients expressed their gratitude, thanking the tourists for their generous donations.