Players and spectators enjoying the event. A previously unpublished image.

Wasp stings on hand and bowling arm did not deter Mrs Joan Parker from competing in the Express new open bowling tournament at Queen's Park on Sunday, 10th August 1975, and helping with the organisation of a most successful event. Mrs Parker was stung on Saturday and had to attend hospital but although it left her arm swollen and painful she refused to scratch from the competition the following day and managed to reach the semi-final where she was defeated by the eventual winner, Mrs D. Frost of the Hermitage Bowling Club, Liverpool. Mrs Parker, who plays for Towneley, was accompanied into the last four by another Burnley lady bowler, Mrs June Patmore (Barden), wife of Brian Patmore of St Andrew's Cricket and Bowling Club. She lost 21-14 to Mrs M. Brierley, of Bury, who was beaten 21-16 in the final.

The competition attracted 104 entries from as far away as Stockport, Southport and the Fylde and so well was the tournament organised that the final qualifiers were ready to play well ahead of the expected time. In the quarter-finals Mrs Frost went through at the expense of Mrs D. Perkins (Towneley), Mrs Brierley beat Mrs I. Chippendale (Barden), Mrs Parker defeated Mrs D. Pattinson (Queen's Park, Burnley) and Mrs Patmore accounted for Mrs M. Walsh (Blackburn). The presentations were made by Mr K. Nightingale, general manager of the Burnley Express and the Nelson Leader Series. Mrs Smith presided and Mrs Nightingale was presented with a bouquet by Mrs I. Earnshaw, president of the Burnley and District Ladies Bowling League.