Friends v. Wellington BC – 25 July

Friends from eight counties converged on the Somerset town of Wellington for the third match of the mini tour to the West Country. Some members were on their way home from Devon and Cornwall, others travelled down in brilliant sunshine to play in the delightful surroundings of the Wellington Club.  When the satnav instructed us to turn right at the Iron Duke pub in the High Street, we certainly knew who the town was named…

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Friends v. Plymouth (Sir Francis Drake BC)

After a night of thunderstorms, the day dawned cloudy for the Friends’ game against the Sir Francis Drake Bowling Club in Plymouth.  We were welcomed to the green by President Brian and Captain Sam of the host Club, and before play enjoyed a sumptuous buffet which had, of course, to include scones with jam and cream.   There was a light wind and it was slightly chilly as play began and after the overnight rain…

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Friends v. Saltash – 23 July

The green looked great, the sun shone on us all, and we had as brilliant ‘first day in Cornwall’ playing at Saltash Bowls Club.   We were in for three very hot days.   The Friends, arriving from 9 different counties, were made most welcome with a cup of tea on arrival, and Nick Vincent was on hand with his professional-looking camera equipment. President Colin Burke and Jo Lambourne, Captain, welcomed John Thompson, our Captain for the…

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Friends v. Oxfordshire BA President’s Select Team

A lovely Thursday afternoon (11th July) shared with Michael Morris, President of Oxfordshire Bowls Association, and his select team, playing on the splendid green of Banbury Borough BC in the picturesque People’s Park in Banbury.   Parking can sometimes be an issue, but today we were welcomed into reserved parking by Gerald, who would also be playing later! Michael was at the clubhouse to welcome the Friends arriving from 11  different counties.  We were spoilt with…

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Friends v. Bloxham BC – 10 July

On Wednesday July 10th Friends from 7 counties arrived at the Bloxham Bowling Club to play the wonderful game of bowls.  The club is set in the small village of Bloxham, near Banbury in a most delightful setting, with facilities many clubs would die for.  The four-rink green was in a very tranquil setting, which greatly enhanced the day for us all. We were greeted with copious amounts of coffee, tea and biscuits together with…

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Peacehaven & Telscombe BC – Celebrating BE Runner-Up Club of the Year 2018

  Friends gathered together to celebrate this club’s achievement as The Bowls England Runner- up Club of the Year 2018, on a bright sunny day on the Sussex coast.  We turned off the coastal road away from the white cliffs down to a sports park, where the club members were ready to welcome us. We soon learnt that we were also celebrating the life and achievements of Philip Armstrong, who had initiated and worked hard…

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Friends v. Amesbury BC

We started with muggy and overcast day in Amesbury and that was how it stayed – just a few spots late in the game but over before it started.   Once found, there was plenty of parking at the bowls club and a very pleasant small park, or large garden of the old house, to play bowls in.  All complemented by a large clubhouse with sensible sized changing rooms and an office for the Match…

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Friends v. Bowls Wiltshire

The second game of our Wiltshire mini tour was played at Salisbury B.C.   Following coffee and tea for the earliest arrivals, a buffet lunch was provided before the match, which was to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the formation of the unified Bowls Wiltshire. Although there was some confusion over the start time (not among the Friends), the match finally got under way in brilliant sunshine – perfect conditions for a most enjoyable game. …

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