Bullseye for darts enthusiasts as Tournament time beckons

Postal January 23 2019

Around 200 darts enthusiasts from delivery offices and mail centres across the country are set to converge in Bournemouth at the start of March for the annual Royal Mail National Darts tournament – and a warm welcome is now being extended to any other CWU members who’d like to put their throwing skills to the test.

Since Royal Mail withdrew funding for the event many years ago, the event has paradoxically gone from strength to strength – and, while still dominated by players with a connection to the postal industry, organisers stress that any other CWU members with a love of the game can join in the fun – whatever company they work for.

Retired Manchester postman Allan Grafton, who has chaired the Royal Mail National Darts for a remarkable four decades explains: “We get darts enthusiasts coming from every corner of the country and the event has always been open to all abilities, so no-one should feel deterred.

“When Royal Mail pulled the plug on us so many people said they wanted the event to continue that we decided to give it a go, initially for just one year, and since then we’ve actually got more people coming along!

“Now we’re up to around 200 and deliberately move around the country each year, though its always the first weekend in March and normally in a Britannia hotel as they always do a bar deal!

“Last year we were in Liverpool and, after Bournemouth this year, we’re going to be at the Palace Hotel in Buxton in Derbyshire in 2020 and committee is currently looking at the Royal Hotel in Hull the year after.”

This year’s tournament will commence on Saturday March 2 at Bournemouth’s Royal Bath Hotel, with the individual rounds being played late into the night.

On Sunday it will be turn of the Men’s Teams and Ladies’ Doubles to thrash it out for dartboard glory – concluding with a special gala dinner, at which Sky Sports presenter John Gwynne will dish out the trophies, followed by a disco.

Allan concludes: “A lot of the darters also play golf, so on Friday March 1 – the day before the darts get underway – we’re also running a golf tournament.

“Bed, breakfast and evening meal, including the gala dinner, for the main two days of the darts tournament costs £99pp- and for any days above that it’s £45pp for bed, breakfast and evening meal. Most people come Thursday through to Monday, it’s that good!”

• For more information call Allan Grafton on 0161 223 0272 or email him at allangrafton@live.co.uk providing a full postal address.