A commemorative plaque has been unveiled at the Royal Leamington Spa Bowling Club to honour its hosting of the Birmingham 2022 lawn bowls competition ©Warwick District Council

Two of England's Birmingham 2022 lawn bowls medallists returned to the Commonwealth Games venue six months on to unveil a wooden plaque to Warwick District Council.

Women's triples gold medallist Jamie-Lea Winch and Para men's B6-B8 pairs bronze medallist Craig Bowler returned to do the honours at the Royal Leamington Spa's Victoria Park Bowls site.

The ceremony involving the gift from the Birmingham 2022 organisers was established in partnership with Bowls England and Royal Leamington Spa Bowling Club.

Councillor Andrew Day, Leader of Warwick District Council, said: "What a special moment to have Jamie-Lea and Craig return to Leamington's Bowling Greens, where they won Commonwealth Games medals last summer, to unveil this commemorative plaque.

"Our Games legacy is not only seen in projects such as the improvements made to Victoria Park and the renovation of the Bowls Club House and Greens, as well as the Station forecourt and underpass.

"It also lives on through the lives that were touched and the happy memories that were shared when the world joined us for this amazing sporting spectacle, which adds yet more lustre to our town's rich history."

England's Commonwealth Games women's triples gold medallist Jamie-Lea Winch, right, and Para men's B6-B8 pairs bronze medallist Craig Bowler, left, unveiled the special plaque at Royal Leamington Spa Bowling Club ©Warwick District Council
England's Commonwealth Games women's triples gold medallist Jamie-Lea Winch, right, and Para men's B6-B8 pairs bronze medallist Craig Bowler, left, unveiled the special plaque at Royal Leamington Spa Bowling Club ©Warwick District Council

Winch commented: "Twenty twenty two was an incredible year for the Midlands and, in particular Leamington Spa, where Victoria Park took centre stage to hold one of the biggest tournaments in bowls.

"Being fairly local myself and growing up playing bowls at Leamington, it will always be a very special place to me.

"Hopefully, Team England's success at the Games has inspired people to give bowls a go, and with the improvements made as part of Birmingham 2022 there is no better time to do so.

"A massive thank you to everyone at Victoria Park and the surrounding areas for letting us use your first-class facilities."

England won the women's triples gold in Birmingham ©Getty Images
England won the women's triples gold in Birmingham ©Getty Images

Bowler added: "To win a bronze medal at Victoria Park in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was a great honour.

"And to be part of the plaque unveiling is a pleasure for me.

"I can't thank them enough for letting the Commonwealth team take their bowls club over.

"Thank you from all of us from Bowls England."

Australia was the best-performing nation in lawn bowls at Birmingham 2022, winning three gold and three silver medals. 

Home nations Scotland and England finished second and third in the overall lawn bowls medals table.