Obituary – Annette Hallett

England star passes away…

Dorchester’s leading lady of bowls, Annette Hallett, died at her home in Little Bredy in Dorset in September at the age of 62 – just six months after making her international debut for England.

Hallett won the national indoor Champion of Champions singles title in 2009, 14 years after she occupied the runners up spot in 1995; she was also in the Dorchester quartet that lost in the fours final in 2001, and was also runner up in the national singles championship in 2010.

For all her talent as a singles player, she was also a real ‘team person,’ who would have identified her career highlights as the time she helped Dorset win the inter-county title in 2009 – and the moment she stepped on to the green to play for England.

Her record shows that she had proved herself at national level time and time again, but, for some reason, was not selected to play for England until this year.

Named as reserve in Stanley in March, she was called on to play in the decisive match against Scotland, and helped her country to a remarkable victory.

England team manager Edna Bessell, from Yeovil, said: “I’m so glad we were able to help Annette fulfil her bowls dream of playing for England, which she did so proudly. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Phil and her family at this sad time.”

Dorchester stalwart Frank Gwatkin, who introduced Annette to bowls, said: “She was a natural – I had nothing to do but to stand back and watch her develop into a great player – and she was also a fantastic club member, who will be sorely missed at Dorchester.