Category: 2025

Saturday 2nd August 2025 – Heaton Park Bowls Heaton Park’s striking bowling facility, originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, played host to a lively day as Friends arrived from 11 counties to kick off a weekend of bowling in Lancashire. Some made an early start, enjoying a pre-match catch-up at the nearby garden centre café before play began at 2pm. President Mark Oliver served as captain for the day, alongside Friends’ Captain and Webmaster,…

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Thursday, 24 July 2025 — Cranleigh Bowls Club Organised by Charlotte Emanuel, 2025 President of Surrey, this spirited match saw the Friends face rinks representing Surrey clubs from Hersham, Purley, Hook & Southborough, Wonersh, and Mitcham. A last-minute addition included a team featuring 13-year-old Frankie, bringing youthful energy to the greens. The game commenced at midday, with Surrey Clubs remaining on their designated rinks while the Friends rotated every six ends — keeping bowlers on…

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Sunday 20th July 2025 President’s Centenary Celebration Match We were invited to Woolston to help them celebrate the one hundredth birthday of their president Wally Kemish. He was president in 2018 when he was 93 and has remained active at the club since then. His bowling these days is a little gentler but the Past Presidents convinced him that he could do it with their help. Wally did not bowl on the day but he…

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Friends vs Gosport Bowling Club – Hampshire Saturday, 19th July 2025 After several weeks of sunshine and warm weather, it came as quite a surprise when heavy rain fell just ahead of the planned 2.00pm start. Thankfully, the showers passed quickly, the sun returned, and the green dried out in good time. What followed was an excellent match, with the rinks shared three apiece but a final score of 115–80 in favour of the Friends….

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Friday 18th July 2025 Cloudless skies and warm sunshine greeted members on arrival at Leigh Park, the home of Fareham Bowling Club, for the first of three matches in South Hampshire. Brian, the Club President, sensibly welcomed us on arrival inside the air conditioned clubhouse, and the bar was open for those who declined the offer of tea and coffee from the ladies of the club. As the club had a league fixture later in…

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Sunday, 13th July 2025 Friends were delighted to mark a 90-year milestone with Fosseway Bowls Club. Although the heat had eased slightly, the sun remained in full force, accompanied by a welcome gentle breeze. John Thompson once again led as Friends’ Captain of the Day, no doubt hoping for a win today. The bar, cheerfully managed by Brian, was kept busy, and we were kindly treated to savoury rolls — a welcome snack to tide…

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Saturday 12th July 2025 ☀️ On one of the hottest days of the year, Friends gathered at lunchtime at Thringstone Bowling Club, where Secretary Mick Carrington extended a warm welcome. The bar was at the ready, serving a range of cooling refreshments, while club members—some of whom were later to play—generously provided savouries and a splendid assortment of homemade cakes. 👥 Captain of the Day for Friends, John Thompson, took charge of operations, although he…

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The Friends of English Bowling played Wilstead Bowls Club on Sunday 29th June to celebrate their 40th Anniversary, we received a very warm welcome from Pat Geary before the start of the game. The club have been great supporters of Bowls Bedfordshire, 4 of their members being County Presidents, Jean Tait was the EWBA President, and she was also The European Bowls Union President and Pat Geary was also the Eastern Counties President. 13 Counties…

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