Category: 2026

Saturday 12th September 2026 – Friends at Croxley Guild BC Croxley Green — depending on who you ask — is either a village, a suburb of Rickmansworth, or simply the proud owner of England’s longest village green. The Friends of English Bowling arrived at Croxley Guild Bowls Club in glorious sunshine, greeted by Club Captain Des Sedgwick and a warm welcome that set the tone for their 100th Anniversary celebrations. The clubhouse buzzed with that…

Read on..

Friday 11th September  Visit to Kings Langley Bowls Club The Friends returned to Kings Langley Bowls Club for their late‑season fixture, having visited early last year to help celebrate the club’s centenary. It was a pleasure to be back, and the weather provided perfect conditions for an enjoyable afternoon of bowling. Captain of the Day, Carolyn Hunt, was welcomed by Kings Langley Captain Dave.   A brief moment of confusion followed when an unexpected player arrived,…

Read on..

Monday 7th September.  An afternoon with Barwell BC The day started with a pleasant drive through the rural midlands to find the club still locked. However, the greenkeeper happily pointed us in the direction of the indoor club where coffee was readily available. Discussion with the greenkeeper established they had prepared the green specially for us with the expectations of a true running green. As he was taller than me and ex US marine from…

Read on..

Friends vs DBE at Kingscroft BC – 6 September 2026 Don Butcher, Captain of the Day Kingscroft Bowls Club is located in the town of Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, and finding it proved to be the first challenge of the day. The entrance track sat discreetly beside a sign almost entirely hidden by trees, but after a little exploration I arrived with half an hour to spare. I was greeted by Bryan Robinson, who promptly informed…

Read on..

FOEB v Warwickshire County Ladies   17th August 2026 The Friends of English Bowling were welcomed to Royal Leamington Spa by the President of Warwickshire County Ladies Vanessa Brazier to celebrate their 90th Anniversary. The ladies of Warwickshire have produced past and current international players, won the Midland England League, The John’s Trophy, Walker Cup and the Amy Rose and the Friends wish them many more years of success. There was a lot of banter on…

Read on..

Monday 3rd August 2026 Another hot & humid day saw us visiting a relatively new club, Byeways at Fremington between Bideford and Barnstaple. We like to find out a little of the history of the places we visit, so I asked, why Byeways? Before the club and surrounding housing estate was built it was the site of a Nursery for the village. So they kept the name and the road leading to it became Byeways…

Read on..

The Friends  v Rock Park Bowling Club, Barnstable, Devon – August 2nd 2026 The second game arranged on our Devon Tour, was at Rock Park Bowling Club in Barnstable, North Devon. As with most of the country, the weather remained fine, and on arriving at the club we were met by Club Captain Ken Ellis who made us very welcome. The Friends team were represented by 10 Counties from as far north as Lincolnshire and…

Read on..