Friends arrive in Devon at Bideford BC

1st August 2026 at Bideford BC, Devon A very warm welcome was received on our visit to Bideford for a celebration match whilst in the area, the weather was hot but bearable luckily. Captain Chris made us feel very welcome and the game was played in the usual good humour and sportsmanship that you expect to see. The bowling gods were with us as we won on all six rinks with a score of 102…

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Charity Game at Iver Heath

Saturday 25th July 2026 It was my pleasure to act as Captain of the Day for the Friends of English Bowling team in our match against the English Bowls Association Charity Trust (EBACT), captained by Terri Keen. The weather was excellent throughout the day, providing ideal conditions for an enjoyable game of bowls. We were made most welcome by Iver Heath Bowls Club, Buckinghamshire, whose hospitality was outstanding. The excellent meal provided was greatly appreciated…

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Victory at Sawston BC then goodbye Cambridgeshire

Sawston BC 19th July 2026 This was the final stop on our three‑game visit to the Cambridge area. When we arrived at Sawston, the car park overlooked a very sun‑scorched cricket field, and the green itself was much like the others we’d seen on the trip — a patchwork of brown and green thanks to the hot weather. It made things a little tricky, but it certainly didn’t stop us having a good game. We…

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A great for bowling at Cottenham BC

Saturday 18th July 2026 Cottenham is well-loved village just north of Cambridge and down through the houses a lane takes you to the recreation area where the Bowls Club is. Plenty of parking. Yippee. The day was not meltingly hot, but good bowls playing weather. Friends from 13 counties gathered to enjoy a warm welcome from the club.  The catering ladies worked very hard to accommodate all the varied diets and well filled rolls were…

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Refurbished Clubhouse at Coton BC

Friday 17th July 2026 This is the first of three games in the Cambridge area. We were met at the car park gates by members of Coton BC. The green was very brown due to the hot weather and a breakdown to their watering system but we were able to have a good game. Inside the clubhouse we were met by more members providing filled rolls, tea, coffee and liquid refreshments. The game was to…

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130 Years Celebrated at Kingsthorpe BC, Northampton

12 July 2026 Friends received a warm and generous welcome at Kingsthorpe, where Captain of the Day John Churchman hosted us as part of the club’s 130th Anniversary celebrations. Also in attendance were Northamptonshire Men’s President John Gunning and guests from neighbouring clubs, adding to the sense of occasion. The match itself was a closely fought and enjoyable contest. Although FOEB played with determination across the green, Kingsthorpe secured the overall win, 105–86. Our rinks…

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Success for Friends at Wellingborough BC

Saturday 11th July 2026 Still in the grip of the heatwave, we arrived at Wellingborough to be greeted by Club President Terry and both Northants County Presidents Marlene and John, both members of the club. Marlene was taking the game so we got to work on the match.  Due to the intense heat we decided to have a 15 minute refreshment break at 9 ends which worked well and we managed to complete a full…

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90th Anniversary celebrated at Highworth BC

Highworth Bowls Club – 90th Anniversary Match 26 June 2026 A visit to Highworth Bowls Club always guarantees a warm welcome, and their 90th anniversary celebration was no exception. Friends members travelled from nine different counties to join the occasion, and were greeted with open hospitality: the bar was flowing, fresh rolls appeared as if by magic, and packets of biscuits circulated with cheerful generosity. Conditions for the match could not have been better. It…

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