Shrivenham BC were the victors

Shrivenham Bowls Club, Shrivenham, Berkshire.  On Friday, July 12th 2024 The Friends visited Shrivenham Bowls Club to help them celebrate 50 years since they moved to their current green (1972).   We were welcomed by President Valerie and Captain of the Day, Ian.   With a pleasant sunny day forecast,  this was the first of 4 games in the South West corner of Oxfordshire.  Being close to Swindon, it has close ties to Swindon & District Bowls. …

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Celebrating 150 yrs at Portland BC

Monday 24th June The final game of the Friends visit to the North-East, was to celebrate the 150th Anniversary year of Portland Bowling Club situated close to the centre of Newcastle.   During its long history, Portland were originally members of the Scottish Bowling Association before the EBA was formed in 1903.   Journeys to Berwick-on-Tweed, regular opponents in the 1890’s  and over 60 miles north of Newcastle,  must have been an adventure, with the railway the…

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The heat rose at Gosforth

Sunday 23rd June Today we travelled to the north of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, to Gosford Bowling Club.  The miserable weather we have all been experiencing in the UK has greatly improved –  today we were expecting highs of  27 degrees.    We were welcomed at the clubhouse by Peter Duffy,  secretary,  Past President, and today’s Captains of the Day….    and also manning the bar,   a true multi-tasker. The clubhouse was to…

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A Northumberland Welcome at Wooler BC

Saturday 22nd June – Friends v. Wooler Bowling Club  Friends from nine counties gathered at the most northerly bowls club in England for the first of three matches in Northumberland.  The welcome from the members at Wooler Bowling Club was warm and matched the weather, with the sun beating down and suntan lotion in demand!  The Friends team contained two members from England’s most southerly club in Cornwall who had made the long trip north,…

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A great afternoon at Borough of Eye BC

Monday, 3rd June 2024 The sun was obviously not going to be quite as obliging as yesterday, but nevertheless it was good bowling weather, and today FoEB were playing at the Borough of Eye BC, tucked away in the small market town of Eye in the north of Suffolk.   We were so warmly welcomed, and the comfy chairs outside of the clubhouse were perfectly placed for our pre-game get together.  Paul ‘the pie-man’ had made…

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Friends play Suffolk BE

Sunday 2nd June   The Friends of English Bowling  were today playing Suffolk BE in Ipswich, at the Ipswich & District BC.    What a great venue – six rinks indoors, and 6 rinks outdoors!  and a lovely clubhouse to boot, oh and not to forget the beautiful flower beds surrounding the green. Friends arriving from 11 counties,  were able to purchase yummy bacon or sausage butties, and relaxed in the sunshine before the game began…

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The Rain Stayed Off at Ladygate BC

16th May 2024 The day began in grey and cloudy conditions, and looking like rain,  but as it turned out thankfully it stayed dry.    Today we are playing at Ladygate Bowls Club situated in Ruislip in the London Borough of Hillingdon, West London. Three rinks started of in a hurry and were all in double figures by the seventh end.  They were led by the Friends, John Thompson, Michael White and Paul Osborn.  The…

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A Warm Welcome from Rosedale BC

15th May 2024 The Friends of English Bowling  travelled from nine different counties to Rosedale Bowls Club situated in Cheshunt, Herts.  to celebrate the club’s centenary.  They arrived in sunshine to a warm welcome and a lovey buffet lunch.  Malcolm Thomas (Club Captain) began the game by welcoming us onto the green.  The sun shone throughout the match, which was great especially as rain had been predicted! The Friends took the victory, winning on 4…

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