The Friends of English Bowling v Highworth BC, Wiltshire 15th July 2024 We arrived at Highworth for our celebration match to thick cloud and rain; we were warmly welcomed, and the rolls and cakes on offer to purchase for our lunch were much appreciated. The match was played in the usual good spirit, despite having to play in the rain, and after 18 ends the Friends managed a win with a final score of 105…
Saturday 13th July ‘24 My route from home, on the satnav, appeared to be a straight line from Thame to Wantage vs a long curve via Oxford. I took the straight line. Mistake! It turned out to be a route with lots of pretty villages, all with 20mph speed limits, and twisty country roads. However eventually we arrived at Memorial Park in Wantage. On the advice of one of their members, Colin (plus mobility scooter)…
Sunday July 14th Our third game was at Faringdon BC, situated in the market town which lies at the edge of the Cotswolds midway between Oxford and Swindon. We had been blessed with sunny but not too warm weather and this was to continue. We were greeted by President John, and Captain of the Day Emma (Em). There was a slight hiccup when one of the kitchen ladies reported sick, but fortunately in stepped two…
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. …
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…
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…
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,…
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…