Jack it in Jamie – MP throws the first jack at Rosebank Bowling Club in Wick
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Far north MP Jamie Stone gave it his best shot for his first time on the green at Rosebank Bowling Club in Wick on Saturday.
The MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross had been invited by the club's elected president Graham John to throw the first jack of the season but admitted he had no bowling experience.
"I've known a lot of bowlers but I've never thrown a jack before in my life – I think I got away with it though and hit the other side," Jamie said after the throw.
"What an honour to be asked to come to Wick to throw the first jack and I hope I did it okay.
"Graham had a one-minute silence to remember members of this bowling club that are no longer with us. For me, it became quite poignant because my thoughts strayed back to members of the Tain Bowling Club who are no longer with us.
"I thought of two Caithnessians who came to live in Tain, George and Jean MacLeod – one was from Wick and the other from Thurso. They used to give me a Broons book every Christmas and they were very keen bowlers. I miss them yet."
Jamie recalled how, along with the comic annual, he was given a golf ball by the MacLeods as that was more his sport as a youngster. "One day I'll get to bowling," he added.
Graham John was delighted with the turnout of members and supporters on the day as the first jack was thrown. "This is a tradition that happens every year within any bowling fraternity," he said.
"We've got all the members involved and either we ask for a member of the public or someone from the club or even a celebrity – to get Jamie today is a very, very nice touch for throwing the first jack. It starts the six-month season ahead.
"It was the chance of a lifetime to get Jamie and we're delighted he volunteered. He's our local MP so what more could you ask for?"
Graham took the opportunity to put a call out for local people to come along and give bowling a try at the club's location in the Rosebank Playing Fields. "It's not only the bowling club they've got in this place. They've got facilities for the children with tennis courts, football, crazy golf and bouncy castles," he said. "The facilities are there for the people of the town.
"A lot of people don't know it's here but they should come along and enjoy it all. The town hasn't got a lot and what we have got we should make the most of. If we don't use it, we'll lose it."
