Buntingford BC – Game 7

Thursday 2nd June –  Buntingford Bowls Club.

Playing at Buntingford to celebrate their Century was the Friends’ third game of the week in Hertfordshire and Buntingford’s first of their many celebration games this year.  We, apparently, were the “guinea pigs”!  In my opinion it was right first time and there is nothing to fix!

Parking is always a problem for the Buntingford club but a team wearing high viz jackets soon had us parked as we arrived, they included Matthew one of their youngest members whose jacket was almost touching the ground.  A very pleasant Lunch was available and fortunately I found someone to share the very generous plate of GF sandwiches provided for me.

We were warmly welcomed by President Mark Plume, rinks were announced, and after a Spider the game commenced.  The weight was a bit of a challenge for me but fortunately the rest of my team were more than capable, and we eventually came out with a win.  Other rinks also started off slowly but apart from one rink they also finished up with a win.  Top Rink for the Friends was Doris Wellstead, Ann Perry, Peter Cottee and Richard Somerton.  Buntingford’s Winning rink was Howard, Paul J, Zony & Brian B (apologies for not getting full names).

When not concentrating on the game there was the pleasant distraction of the Topiary; hedges have been transformed into the seven dwarfs and other figures.  My speculation on which club members had modelled for Adam & Eve with the Serpent was fortunately cut short when it was my turn to play!  The members are invited to “adopt a dwarf” and then care for its pruning and maintenance.  The beautiful roses and clever Topiary are a special and lasting memory of our visit to Buntingford.

An excellent 3 course after match meal was provided by Roxy and her team and Zony the Bar Manager’s team of Ray Watkins & Greg Amos kept everyone suitably hydrated throughout the day.  The Loyal Toast proposed by Club Captain Debbie Mark was heartily endorsed by everyone on this special day; the Platinum Anniversary for our Patron, The Queen.

Mark welcomed our Chair, Kath and BE Immediate Past President Paul, as well as PP Adie in his speech and mentioned that one of our players was a past member.  Spencer Kerley and his wife Kay, first started playing nearly 30 years ago at Buntingford.  Spencer had already checked that his name was still on the boards in the men’s changing room!  Mark went on to give a very interesting short History of the club.
I introduced other Exec members in attendance and gave some information about Friends for the home side.  Players from 10 counties made up our team and each county name was appropriately cheered when announced. (Beds, The Royal County of Berks, Cambs , Cornwall, Hants, Herts, Kent, Norfolk, Oxon and Wilts.).    I was delighted to accept a gift of a bowling themed paperweight (already front and centre in my collection) and to receive the History of the Club written and compiled by Mark and in turn I presented him with the Framed Certificate marking our visit.

We ended with the Raffle and some of us wondered if any tickets other than the visitors’ table had been put in the tub.

Thank you to both the Friends for their support and to Buntingford members for making it a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable day in the sunshine.

Marcia Dunstone