WELSH CROWN GREEN BOWLING ASSOCIATION

MR IMMACULATE.

DT at Champion of Champions 2015

DT

The third of our profiles features a very well known figure in Crown Green Bowls – DT Evans from Beaumaris. For those unfamiliar with what DT stands for, it is David Tudur. David's late Father never got to know his son, having passed away two months before David appeared on the scene. The late Mr Evans was a top bowler in his time, and David's Mother wisely kept his bowls in the hope that the young lad would take up the game – which fortunately he did. Bowls is the only sport David plays. He plays, on average, about once a week and has played for Craig-y-Don and Llanfair PG. His current club is beautiful Beaumaris.

He holds some notable offices including Gwynedd Association Secretary and Welfare Officer, Placement Secretary for the Welsh Referees, and is Chairman of the WCGBA Executive Governance Board. The administration of which keeps him busy when not out and about on the greens. DT represented Wales as its WCGBA President in1999. David has enjoyed quite a number of successes as a bowler over the years in competitions. In his modest words, 'Too numerous to mention'. He has played for Wales as a County players in the past and is still a keen player when he gets the chance. He is the 2017 Stan Higham Referees Champion.

When not involved with bowls, he enjoys his role as volunteer Room Guide for the National Trust at Plas Newydd House on Anglesey.

David has a great deal of respect for a number of eminent characters associated with the game from the past, including Gwyn Morris, Mel Higham, Ray Springfield and Don James. 'Sadly they are no longer with us'.

Most of us are aware that DT has a police background, starting as a cadet in the 1960s – some of us were still at school, others yet to be born. At that time a career in the Force ensured job security. It was whilst serving at Holyhead in the 1980s that David met his future wife Ann, also a serving officer. They married in 1987 and celebrate 30 years this November – their Pearl Wedding. For David's 'Pearl', voluntary and charity work keeps her busy.

DT is known to be a seasoned traveler and I foolishly asked him to name some of the locations he and Ann have visited. They total some 21 countries including – South Africa(twice), Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Croatia, Mexico, Hawaii, Japan, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Madeira, Italy, Ecuador, Vietnam and Canada. If I've left any out it's due to 'writer's cramp'. Having met DT many time and in many places as a referee across the Grown Green Bowls world, I had wondered if he had walked as many miles as he has traveled overseas.

'On refereeing duties over the years, I have walked many, many miles, but all of this pales into insignificance compared to our globe trotting experiences.'

A little something not many of us know is that DT is a qualified typist, having learned at school. A skill, I am sure, he found useful in the constabulary.

His tastes in music leans towards the musical – a little drama mixed with music. He is a concert aficionado having been to see performances in London, Birmingham and Liverpool, where his hopes to see the musical 'Cilla' next month. His taste in comedians is eclectic too ranging from legends Norman Wisdom and Tommy Cooper to Lee Evans, Johnny Vegas and Peter Kaye.

Two things DT has been complimented on over the years, is his signature – he does have beautiful writing – and his dress. His colleagues at Beaumaris refer to him as 'Immaculately Dressed Dave' – I was going to ask him if he possessed a pair of jogging pants and a baggy T-shirt but thought better of it.

We may smile at David's neat, personal dress code, but it this attention to detail and high standards he sets himself that has made him one of the top referees in the Crown Green world across Britain and highly respected by some of the big names in the game.

His feelings about the game he loves and has been involved in for many years include a disappointment that players no longer seem content to be a 'one Club Member' with multiple membership of several Clubs becoming the norm. DT was encouraged to take up refereeing by the late Don James and feels to be a credible one you need to gain the respect of ALL players from the novice to those playing at the very top of their game. David has certainly achieved this. Last year he achieved an amazing triple by refereeing the finals the BCGBA Senior Merit at Llay, the Champion of Champions and the Endsleigh British Senior County Championship Final at Shrewsbury.

We look forward to seeing him as a regular feature at all level of bowling events here in wales and elsewhere in Britain for many years to come.

DT with 2016 Champion of Champion finalists Gary Ellis and Glyn Cookson, with BCGBA President Peter Higham

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BCGBA 2015 Deputy President with DT following the BCGBA Junior Merit at Rhos Park

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DT Bowling

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