Friends play DBE at Charlbury

Sunday 17th September 2023 We all arrived in the dry with fingers crossed for the afternoon, but no luck, it rained. Charlbury is a small place in north Oxfordshire with a spacious club having a veranda overlooking the bowls green.  The club members were there to help us park up and to greet us with tea and coffee and biscuits.  Filled rolls were available for us to buy for lunch.  Smoked salmon… Yum. The rink…

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The Rain just did not stop at Goodwood Bowls Club

It rained on the way to Goodwood Bowls Club, it rained when we arrived and it rained all afternoon.  Very disappointing especially for Deepak as it was his last match as President of Bowls England. At Goodwood they have a lovely big clubhouse and car park.  They made us and the Bowls England players and guests very welcome with fresh rolls for lunch. The decision that the green was not, and was not going to…

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110th Birthday Celebrations at Derby West End

Monday 11th September 2023   After a sunny morning we all arrived in a shower of rain. Were we going to have a wet match?  The club is near the centre of Derby in a green oasis with a car park,  two greens, a changing pavilion and a lovely clubhouse.  We had a great welcome and plenty of choices to buy for lunch – filled rolls made to order, hot sausage rolls and plenty of naughties…

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Friends take on BE Select Team at Leamington

Tuesday 15th August 2023   is the day we took on a Bowls England select team, following the Friends Annual General Meeting,  and what a great afternoon’s play – on the hallowed turf at Leamington.   The two Captains of the Day – Carolyn Hunt for Friends, and  Steve Beamish for BE, with BE President Deepak Tanna, welcomed the teams.  With the buzz of the National Finals in the background, we enjoyed fine weather, and plenty of …

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100 Yrs Celebrated at The Avenue BC, Leamington

Monday 14th August 2023     Today’s game gave us the opportunity to visit a bowls club within walking distance of the the National Championships in Victoria Park.   It was to celebrate their 100th Anniversary.   I arrived at the club to be met by Geoff Moran the Captain, and the Clubs President John Hughes, behind the bar.  The weather was good for us and once everyone was ready we made a start on the green. A…

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Kensey Vale – Rain does not stop The Friends

Wednesday 2nd August 2023 After two days when we had escaped the rain that was all over Cornwall, we arrived at the Kensey Vale Club in Launceston with few hopes of playing, given the horrendous weather forecast.  As we sat in the splendid clubhouse partaking of the substantial buffet lunch, the rain was pouring down, and the scoreboards were blowing over in the strong winds.  Our worst fears looked likely to be realised. However, just…

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A Draw (?) at Liskeard

Tuesday 1st August 2023. For the second match of the visit to Cornwall, Adie had arranged for the Friends to play at Liskeard Bowling Club.  We were welcomed by President Jenny to the club’s excellent facilities, with a photo of our Match Secretary Adie, who had visited for the Club’s Centenary during his year as Bowls England President, prominently displayed, and treated to delicious bacon rolls and hot dogs for lunch.  After a very damp…

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Centenary Celebration at Saltash

Monday 31st July 2023   Centenary Celebration A very wet Monday morning in Cornwall. Most of the team arrived at the club with umbrellas, not knowing if we would ever make it to the green. We were welcomed by Presidents Sue & Mike with Ladies Captain Barbara as my opposite Captain of the Day.  Sandwiches were available for lunch which went down very well. Miracles do happen and at around 1pm the rain stopped, the skies…

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