Great Yarmouth councillor rapped for bowls festival incident

Michael Jeal - elected to Great Yarmouth's Nelson ward in 1986 and serving continuously since - has been sanctioned after the incident.

It took place at Great Yarmouth's Town Hall as people gathered for a meeting of the Festival of Bowls Committee.

Great Yarmouth's Festival of Bowls is one of the biggest events of its kind (Image: Newsquest)

He has since been found to have failed to treat another individual with respect following a probe by an independent expert.

Tempers appeared to fray between Mr Jeal and another attendee in October 2023, as organisers began making preparations for the major summer event - believed to be the biggest of its kind in the country.

An exchange took place between the Yarmouth Labour councillor and the complainant prior to the meeting starting and Mr Jeal later asked them to leave once it had begun.

Michael Jeal has served continuously as a Great Yarmouth Labour councillor for 36 years (Image: Newsquest)

Following the incident, other attendees at the meeting raised concerns, which led to an investigation taking place.

The veteran councillor, who has served as mayor three times, was accused of breaching Great Yarmouth Borough Council's code of conduct, which stipulates members must "always treat people with respect".

At a standards sub-committee meeting in July, councillors agreed with the independent investigator's ruling, deciding he had failed to treat an individual with respect.

The incident took place at Great Yarmouth's Town Hall (Image: Newsquest)

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However, it was acknowledged that it was a minor breach and that there were mitigating circumstances due to Mr Jeal's misunderstanding as to why the complainant was attending the meeting.

Mr Jeal, who has given 36 years of continuous service, has been punished through the report of the incident being made public.

He declined to comment further on the incident but said: "As far as I am concerned the matter has been dealt with by the council and the correct procedures have been followed."

Lucy Tufts and Sheila Crysell in action at Great Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest Archives)

It will be discussed further at an upcoming full council meeting this week on Thursday.

HIGH STAKES

Bowls is known as a serene and genteel sport, involving rolling balls down the green in the hope of getting as many as possible close to the jack - a small white ball thrown to start the game.

But organising one of the biggest competitions in the annual sporting calendar clearly has its challenges.

The annual Festival of Bowls, which recently celebrated its 77th edition, draws about 800 people each year.

Over four weeks, spectators can enjoy thrilling matches between some of the best players in the country and further afield.

Competitors battle it out for the chance to win cash prizes ranging from £100 - £1,000, as well as the pride of victory.

The committee members face a number of logistical difficulties as they attempt to organise 12 different tournaments, all taking place at the Britannia Bowling Greens on Great Yarmouth seafront.

Despite the discord at last year's meeting, the event this summer eventually went off without a hitch.

More than 760 professional and amateur bowlers arrived in the town for the competition, which was held in August and September.