In 1985 The London Fire Brigade acquired the ex Thames Board Mills sports  ground at Aveley, Essex. 

This sports facility had been left idle for many years and lots of work was needed to bring it  to a passable state. In early days an overgrown bowling green was discovered. Luckily Mick Bonson and Ted Ciplinski saw the potential for a good bowls green. After a great deal of work to the bowling green and  centre it  was completed in 1986.

1987 saw the forming of "Fssaa National Bowls Section" .  After many letters and telephone calls by Mick  a meeting was convened at Gtr. Manchester H.Q , the Chief Fire Officer of  Nottingham Mr Peter. Wilson agreed to take the chair, and a committee was formed. The first International between England and Scotland was played at Dalkeith//Coatbridge in 1989.

In October 1991  F.S.S.A.A. 'British Bowls Section' was formed, under the chairmanship of Trevor Newton and a Committee formed from all four countries.
The Bowls Section consists of members from virtually all Brigades in the British Isles. In   following  years, many matches were played and the first National Competition introduced, a Open fours competition held in 1987  at the Lentern Bowls Club Nottingham  and won by  West Yorkshire.

The First Four Nations Competition was formed and  held at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1989. Winners were Northern Ireland.
Since then each country hold National Competitions with the  four countries finally competing at :-The "Four Nations Championships" over a period of two days .Normally  held  the first weekend in September and hosted by each country in turn.

The order follows:-
September 2001          England :      September 2002          Scotland :                     
September 2003          N. Ireland :  September 2004          Wales                             

National  Competitions are held yearly to find who, represents their country at the Four Nations.
If  you  are interested in more information, have been employed by any Fire Authority in any  capacity whether full time, retained, part time, admin, support, or  retired, please contact  us.

Past Chairmen

               1987 ---  1989                 Peter Wilson         
               1989 ---  1991                 Stewart Crabtree
               1991 ---  1998                 Trevor Newton
               1998 ---  2000                 Kevin Webster
               2000  ---                          Malcolm George