This is a Charity Handicap, hosted by Marine Park BC, at which funds are raised to present to the Ormerod Home Trust.
The Mayor's Trophy, the oldest of the trophies played for annually in the LSA Mens Bowling League, commenced its history in 1925.
In 1936, a new trophy was born to assist the raising of funds for the Cheerful Sparrows Brotherhood.
Although it appears to emanate back to World War One, the history of the Cheerful Sparrows has scant details.
Although two hospitals in Kent still retain wards in the name of the Cheerful Sparrows, the last known major fund raising activity in the Fylde dates back to 2002, when £1500 was presented to the Ormerod Home Trust towards the cost of a new van.
Today, any monies raised by the Cheerful Sparrows Handicap go towards the Ormerod Home Trust. This organisation was formed in the late 1960s, by a group of Manchester businessmen, with a view to taking care of the needs of disabled people.
This continued until late 1971, when the group learned that a Children's home, run by Sisters of the Church, an Anglican Order, was due to close.
After discussions, in 1972 the Sisters agreed to rent the building for a nominal fee. The building, having been originally donated by a Mr Ormerod, was adopted as 'The Ormerod Home' and formally established by the Group.
In 1981, they extended their property portfolio and bought the Princes Hotel, on North Promenade. This was more efficient to run and provided many en suite rooms for the older children. The collection further increased a year later when a terraced house was purchased on Common Edge road, catering for people of 18 onwards.
However Community Care began to be seen as a valued alternative; a sentiment echoed by the 1990 NHS and Community Care Act and residents were gradually moved into the community. The trend has continued to this day. Nowadays the motto of the Ormerod Home Trust is 'Working to ensure that disability does not become a handicap'.
In accordance with this, people with learning disabilities are assisted to return to as normal a life as possible.
This year's Cheerful Sparrows Handicap takes place at Marine Park BC, Fairhaven. Qualifying rounds commence at 6.30 pm on Monday 21 July, running until the Thursday evening.
The Semi-Finals and Final will take place on Saturday 26 July, with the action commencing at 2pm.
As in previous years, the Marine Park Club members will run a stall and various competitions to raise the vital funds for this splendid organisation.

The 2007 winner, Noel Lomas, is one of the early contenders. Lomas has a difficult task to overcome as he endeavours to concede a 4 handicap against Mel Cainer of Lowther Gardens. A Semi-Finalist last year, Ron Carradice may also have a battle to progress in 2008.
In a difficult quarter, he finds himself giving 2 start to the St Annes Ex-Service bowler, Geoff Worden. Progression could then see the winner pitted against former champions in Peter Blakeley, Harry Widger and Ian Hilton in successive rounds.
The moist prolific winner in the long history of the competition is Alan Pyle of East End.
Pyle has claimed the title on no less than five previous occasion; in 1982, 1993, 1995, 1998 and 1999. Although he has to give 4 start to Alistair Harrison of Recreation Ground, his past record demonstrates that he is more than capable of doing so.