BOWLS history was made in Belfast at the weekend, when Jersey’s Jean Lowery, pictured, was installed as President of the World Indoor Bowls Council and presented the winners of the Alfa Romeo WIBC championships with their medals.

I must admit it was an emotional moment for me at the AGM, when the chain of office was placed around my neck,’ said Jean.

‘Not only is it an honour for the Jersey Indoor Bowls Association, it’s the first time that a husband-and-wife duo have shared this unique honour.”" Yes – Jean’s late husband, Ken Lowery, was WIBC president in 1998/99, the same year that he contracted Alzheimers Disease, and, sadly, died soon afterwards.

‘If it hadn’t been for Ken’s presidency, I probably wouldn’t have accepted the honour,’ she said.

‘My involvement at the time gave me a special interest in the affairs of the WIBC, and I was touched when they turned to me last year.’ The power struggle between the traditionally outdoor governing body and the WIBC is hotting up, and the resignation of Bowls Australia and Bowls New Zealand led to a re-organisation of the WIBC – so Lowery may have to deal with some political hot potatoes over the next twelve months.

‘I’m not a natural administrator, but I must say my sympathies are with bowlers – whether they are grassroots competitors or professionals, so I want what is best for the great sport of bowls,’ she said yesterday.

‘The WIBC event here in Belfast has been weakened by the absence of players from Down Under, and it’s sad that the UK countries have boycotted the recent new events organised by World Bowls Limited in Hong Kong.’ On Saturday, Jean presented England’s Margaret Roberts and Mark Walton with the Alfa Romeo World mixed pairs trophy, and she was in action again yesterday, rewarding England’s John Wells and Margaret Letham from Scotland for winning the WIBC world men’s and women’s singles titles.