Friends play well at Peninsula BC

Monday 5th August ’24 Little did I know that the helpful lady who stepped aside for me so that I could reach the mini wine bottles (my top rink prizes) was Club President Jenny, who I would meet again later.

My diary from 2018 informs me that I played at Peninsula on Tuesday July 10th. The club I arrived at today looks nothing like the club I played at 6 years ago. The surrounding area has gone from fields to a new estate with houses of differing shapes and colours. The housing development company replaced their old club house and sheds with a high wall and the access road to the estate. They eventually provided the club with a new clubhouse and small car park and a lovely terrace overlooking the green. Steps from the end of the terrace lead to the large green (8 rinks if needed), the Petanque court, storage areas and the surrounding gardens and trees.

pre-match chat, on the balcony

The Monday match was the third of our mini tour in Kent. All played in lovely weather and all on good greens. Needless to say, the third warm welcome, this time from our hosts at Peninsula. The club captain Brian Trill welcomed us. Brian was Kent’s SVP and our host for our last visit and now there is a photograph on the wall to commemorate his year as Kent President in 2019.

A very welcome lunch was followed by a photograph of the players below the clubhouse, the announcement of rinks and a Spider. Closest was Keith Price (Herefordshire) and he later received a large bottle of Whisky. Thank you Peninsula for generously donating the proceeds, £48, to Friends.

After the game we were served with a delicious meal followed by the usual speeches and thanks by the Captains, and presentations to the respective top rinks. Brian particularly welcomed our Exec and the two BEPPs as well as our members present. After adding my thanks to President Jenny, Chairman Dave Secretary Pam & Fixtures Sec Kath and all club members who had helped on the day, I gave a little of the history of Friends, the benefits of being a member and its continued support of Bowls and in particular DBE. The call out of the 10 Counties represented was accompanied by the usual cheers plus oo-arhs from the western counties; (Beds, Bucks, Cambs, Cornwall, Hampshire, Hereford, Herts, Kent, Somerset & Sussex).

: Top Rink (one missing), Peninsula

: Top Rink, Friends

The score was FEB 108 – 83. Top rink for FEB was Richard Pearce, Anne Perry, Neil Fletcher & Paul Osborn. Top Rink for our hosts: Steve Thompson, Mike Massie, Kevin Chaillis & Sandie Massie. Their opposition Maddie McConomy, Bryan Robinson, Adie Booth & Andy Hunt shared a set of Aero’s

I presented Captain Brian with the framed certificate as a memento of our special Celebration match with them and invited the Friends to toast our hosts. It was followed by the biggest raffle I think I have ever seen, all donated or made by club members.