AFTER many near misses the skittlers of 'H' Bells have finally won promotion from the Barry & District Male Skittles League 3rd Division to move into Division 2 next season.

It may be of interest to understand where the name 'H' Bells comes from, being it is a most unlikely name for a skittles team.

'H' Bells were formed originally by employees of the firm of builders, well known in the town of Barry as Hawkins & Holmes. In the early days the team played mainly friendly games in different skittle alleys in the town and also played the occasional friendly in Penarth.

As the interest in the game increased, it was decided there was sufficient interest to put a team in the league, which they did as Hawkins & Holmes in season 1960/61. When the team joined the league, there were first two divisions, and in future years the leagues were increased to three divisions, at one time there were actually four divisions in the town.

When Hawkins & Holmes finished trading, those still involved in the skittles team decided to carry on playing but decided to change the name to 'H' Bells. The choice of name still represented the previous name and the Bells was chosen because at the time of the change the team were playing at the '3 Bells' Pub in Coldbrook Road, Barry.

As 'H' Bells, the team moved their home base a number of times and they have various moves which included to the King William Hotel, the Glenbrook and The Mariner, whilst the present team are based at The Tynewydd.

Whilst the vast majority of the original members are with them (their captain Gwyn Westcott died some years ago) Brian Whitlock is still very much a part of the current team and he joined the then Hawkins & Holmes firm as an apprentice at the age of 15 and is still an integral part of the current skittles team (although he was not able to play at 15).

The senior member of the current 'H' Bells team is Ivor Morgan and Ivor has played a number of games this season despite the fact he is fast approaching the age of 90. Ivor was never actually employed by Hawkins & Holmes for any length of time, but there is a family connection as Ivor's wife, Iris, was employed by them as their wages clerk for a number of years.

Ivor, in addition to being treasurer to the 'H' Bells until a few years ago, was also president of the Barry & District Males Skittles League for many years and only relinquished that post in the last few years.

To return to the present, this current skittles season has been a most rewarding one for 'H' Bells because in addition to winning the 3rd Division, they achieved it as champions, finished seven ponts in front of their rivals and lost only six games of the 22 played.

In addition to the promotion to Division 2, the six-a-side team captained by Brian Crockford, reached the final of that competition and only lost by five pins after setting their first division opponents Bunker Boys 38 to win, the Bunker Boys scored a magnificent 43 (which would have won most final rolls) and all credit to them.

Finally in the champion of champions roll off at the Wyndham Conservatives Club on May 26, the 'H' Bells side skittled extremely well to secure second place and were far from disgraced with just one average roll costing them a chance to win, but they did get two rolls.

It is pleasing to note that on the final roll Kelvin Lewis scored a nine and Mr Mullins is sure we will be hearing a lot more of that in the future.