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Congresbury Bowling Club Newsletter
No. 59 Summer 2015
CBC GREEN’UN Top Club
The biggest single event fundraiser of the year – Sportsmen’s Day – is being held on Sunday August 9. All club members are urged to support this event – please give your time, your expertise…and a raffle prize. The more people who help, the lighter the load on everyone. This is a fun day, looked forward to by all those
The future of Congresbury Bowling Club. An overly dramatic title but one which I hope will encourage you to read as a precursor to a possible full discussion, writes Roy Kirkham. Earlier this year I was challenged, quite forcefully I thought, ”what are you doing about parking?” It is true that with the departure of Elliots we have ‘lost’ some nine parking spaces and the building of the garage to plot 1 facing Mill Lane removes a further three. Double yellow lines are also to be introduced. My answer to the above challenge is that I have neither a magic wand nor any influence with council or highways officials. Some members have also been urging me to seek to purchase or lease the Orchard whilst I have also been challenged over the .89 acre at the rear of the new estate. As far as the latter is concerned this is zoned as industrial and part of the agreement on the overall plan. It cannot be used for parking alone and in any event has been sold. The position over the Orchard is a little more mysterious. Several attempts to talk to Charles Church have been unsuccessful and their agents Bruton Knowles tell me that their instructions come directly from the commercial director of Charles Church and are thus unable to confirm or deny the present situation. However the Orchard and the semi derelict house are a package and the guide price is circa £300k. So out of the question! So now to some ‘Blue Sky’ thinking! Let me say at the outset that none of the following constitutes any recommendation from
taking part and a recognised highlight of Congresbury’s summer. You don’t need to be there all day. Please spare what time you can, even if it is only an hour or two. You can volunteer to help in the bar, act as a waiter taking orders, work in the kitchen, collect empty glasses and litter. Every little helps. Thank you.
Congratulations to Congresbury Ladies who have progressed further in the National Top Club competition than ever before in the club' history. This was achieved by a resounding win over Clevedon Ladies (8255). This now means that Congresbury represent Somerset County in the competition and will play Wiltshire, represented by Box Ladies. See Jenny’s report on p2.
Kate’s county success CHAIRMAN’S CHAT Mea culpa! Mea culpa! Mea culpa! Last Saturday morning I met three of the ladies who were on their way to Backwell still ecstatic from their win over Clevedon the previous evening. It was quite clear from their reaction to me on hearing their news that I was less than enthusiastic. (Still smarting from a humiliating result against RBL!.) So congratulations and well done to each and everyone on the team. I am told that this win takes you on to greater things where you now represent Somerset in the Top Club competition. More importantly however, Congresbury Bowling Club is now on the national scene.
discussion among you. Years ago when dealing with the plans and planning for our present clubhouse, I met with Rocky Sharrock, the regional director of the National Playing Fields Association, and I posed the question ‘if we could find suitable land for a new green and facilities to include parking would the NPFA finance it from the sale of our existing site’. The answer was an unequivocal yes. I have recently posed the same question to Fields in Trust, the NPFA’s successor and the regional boss Angela Lewis. Whilst not as demonstrative a response as before, she has said perfectly possible. There are of course no suitable sites within the village boundary. So where? Cont’d on p2
After playing six rounds of Ladies County 4-wood Singles, Kate Herbison is through to the county finals in September. Before then, she and another Somerset finalist will compete against finalists from other English counties at Leamington Spa in early August to determine the English 4wood singles ladies champion. Congratulations are also due to Kate for being selected initially for the Somerset county's Johns Trophy team and subsequently for getting her Badge for being reselected a further twice. In addition she has also been selected for the county's Walker Cup team a second time. This is a wonderful achievement which brings kudos to our club. Selection at county level works like this: you can put your name forward when you have sufficient points accumulated at club level and you may be chosen to play in friendly games. Cont’d on p2
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Congresbury Bowling Club Newsletter CHAIRMAN’S CHAT from p1 Fields in Trust are unable to reconcile the fact that our Club is located off Mill Leg as their records appear to show that we exist in the recreation fields although admitting “clearly from your address this is not the case”. A search of over 200 documents has failed to prove otherwise (a simple land registry search would establish the fact!) Our present site measures 45 metres EW and 56 metres N-S. To provide a full size green, surround and a changing rooms and toilet block would require an ideal area of some 60m2. Is there therefore suitable space on the Recreation ground where Fields in Trust think we already exist? Members will know that there are plans for a new sports centre based at the grounds at a potential cost of £1.5m. Could we sell our site with outline planning permission, provide new facilities and contribute funds towards the redevelopment? As a guide, in today’s prices a new full size green would cost £80k and other costs would involve a total outlay of less than £200k leaving a substantial sum for the new centre. There are considerable downsides; the green would take 3-4 years to fully mature, we would have to share social and kitchen facilities, bar income would not be ours etc. etc. On the upside, a probable 12 car spaces. Some of you may well say that if I have come up with this idea what is to stop Fields in Trust having the same thoughts and forcing the issue. They cannot. Provided the game of bowls continues to be played on our present site we have security of tenure in perpetuity. So do we stay or do we go? As I said before my aim is purely to provoke discussion but I do not want to receive a plethora of e-mails, letters, verbals, etc. with comments, observations and suggestions at this stage. Instead you will find on the noticeboard two sheets headed-Stay (remain as we are) or Go (consider the alternative). This latter will only mean that you want to explore the option in detail. So please append your name to one of thealternatives. Finally, I am conscious of the fact that among our members are also members of the cricket club and the rec. club. I would appreciate these views remaining within the confines of this club for the time being.
Don’t forget to keep up to date with results and news at www.congresburybowls.co.uk
No. 59 Summer 2015
Chris and Malcolm triumphant Our thanks to all who brought such an excellent spread for our Ladies’ Invitation Day and to those who ran the bar. We had two games of six ends in the morning, stopped for lunch and a little wine, then continued with two more games in ther afternoon. Interestingly, it seems to be right what is so often said, “it all changes after the break”. If we won in the morning, we lost in the afternoon and vice versa. But we all won a game, which makes us all winners. An unpromising start weatherwise turned out to be a brilliant day. The final was close and seriously contended: Chris and Malcolm v Ruth and Rob. A 10-end game which was applauded all the way. Our brand new cup was presented to Chris and Malcolm, this year’s winners. Commiserations to Ruth and Rob, who played a brilliant game. Malcolm made a few kind comments on how the gentlemen enjoyed being chosen and the Ladies’ Invitation Day was always especially looked forward to. Thanks to Barry and Rob for organizing the event and thanks to all in the club for their enthusiastic support. Hazel Tranmer and Pat Baker
Ladies I nvitation winners Chris Wilock a nd M alcolm Huggett Results of Ladies Invitation Pairs Team Chris W + Malcolm w4 L0 Ruth + Rob w3 + L1 Chris L + Dave R w2 + L2 Barbara+ Tony 2+2 Hazel + Frank 2+2 Ann K + Alan F 2+2 Jenny + Barry 2+2 Dot + Clive 2+2 Pat + Dave B 2+2 Dawn + Geoff W 2+2 Daphne + John 2+2 Ann H + Roger 1+3
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Ladies thrive in the heat of cup games As I write this report the weather forecast talks of temperatures in the mid thirties! I know we have been hoping for fine weather but mid twenties is fine by me. The season has got off to a fine start as well, and we are near the top of the Weston and District Ladies League. We are also going great guns in The Top Club having beaten Weston (Bath), St Andrews , Portishead RBL and Clevedon. We now represent Somerset against Wiltshire (Box). Phew! We are about to begin two more campaigns, the Southey Trophy, and The Fear Cup in mid-July. Good luck ladies with all your National, County and Club competitions but above all, enjoy your bowling. Jenny Byett
LADIES FIXTURES’ SECRETARY: VACANCY Would anyone like to have a go as ladies fixtures’ secretary? After five years, I would like to stand down and give someone else a chance. Much of next year’s fixtures will have been sorted by November, so there would not be a huge amount to do for quite some time. Christine Lewis
KATE from p1 Assuming you reach a certain standard, the next stage is to be selected for games in the South West Region League. Then there is the John's Trophy Team, representing the county in a national inter county knockout competition. A squad of 28 players are selected from those invited to trial games, of which 24 players represent Somerset. The final level is the Walker Cup team, which consists of a squad of 10,selected from the John's team, of which 8 players play as 2 rinks in, again, a national knock out competition. So to be chosen as part of the top 24 and 10 players in the
county is no mean feat. Kate is the only lady bowler in our club's history to have done so. She said: “I would encourage all our members (men and women) to put their name down to compete in the 2016 county competitions, particularly for the 'unbadged' singles competition in which the less experienced bowlers can compete on a more equal footing. It's great fun meeting different people and visiting different clubs!” ■ As we went to press, Kate was part of the Somerset team to beat Devon in the quarter finals of the inter-county Johns Trophy competition.
Congresbury Bowling Club Newsletter
No. 59 Summer 2015
Fun at the fete Many thanks for all who helped me at the village fete. Don Manning and Anthony for bringing down and setting up the short mat, Alan Collins for delivery of the hay bales, Barbara for making the shield and helping with the game, also Chris Lewis, Chris Wilcock, Dawn, Ruth, Angela and Wendy Wlliams. It was great fun, helped raise awareness of the club - and we made over £20 after expenses were taken out. Valerie Harding
Dai calls it a day Grand view: Lloyd Beck m ade it to the top of tower at Cardiff Castle. Others didn’t …
Cardiff outing is a big hit in many ways! Last month 25 members went on the bowling club outing to Cardiff castle and The Bay. The weather was very kind to us, and many of us sat outside for lunch and afternoon tea. The guided tour around the castle private apartments was extremely interesting. However the high point for some was the protesting cyclists at the Bay. (They too we're glad the weather was warm as they were all naked)! ■ The next Social event is the SUMMER B-B-Q on Sat 18th July at 19:30 . Please put your names on the list at the Club or ring Angela on 832413. Hope to see all of you there with or without clothes on. Angela Jones
Carol Skuse Many bowls club members attended the funeral of Carol Skuse, who died after suffering from cancer, aged 68. The funeral was held at Weston Crematorium on Friday, July 10, and afterwards at Yatton Rugby Club. Mother-of-three Carol, who was married to Ian, moved to Locking after living in Congresbury for many years. She used to work in the former Somerfield store in Yatton.
At the age of 92, Dai Hopkin (right) has decided to ‘hang up his bowls’! He played at the club for 32 years, having been introduced by my father, Roy, and Len Stitch. During his outdoor career, he won several competitions, including the men’s pairs with yours truly back in 1996. Whilst he has not played outdoors for the last couple of years, he has played indoors at Nailsea continuously since his early outdoor days. He played with Geoff Flook’s team which over the years included Bob Walsh, Dennis Edmunds, Sid and Keith Jones, George Osborne, Bill Crowe, and Alan Gray. This last winter he played exceptionally well, helping our team (The Flookers named after Geoff) to finish third in the league. Well done, Dai. We shall miss you. Enjoy your retirement! Don Manning
MEN’S MID-SEASON REPORT
Support is most welcome – but names still needed Starting with a recent success, on June 30, we won our latest round of the Turnbull Cup competition by beating Portishead 112 shots to 60. Thanks to all those who turned out to support the team. It does make a difference. Looks like Nailsea in the next round toward the end of July. Turning to the wider picture, we have a better than 50 percentage win in the Somerset County leagues and the Clevedon and District over 60s. In fact to date we are doing very well in the over 60s. The Clevedon and District evening league is proving more of a challenge with some notable scalps but a number of frustrating losses. Still plenty of time yet to move up the league. Selecting the teams is a bit like the parsons egg, good in parts. The selection committee normally have enough names for the Clevedon and District evening league, mostly just enough names for the over 60s although we often have to telephoning to find ‘volunteers’ but the Somerset league remain a challenge as in previous years. We can make the numbers for the A team but find enough bodies for the B team is often a close run thing. Happily we have met our commitments to touring teams. So gentlemen if you can squeeze in a few more dates out of your diaries it would be most welcome. Ian Morton
Bonus ball bounces for the last time . . . August 22 is the last day for this latest session of the bonus ball, regrettably it is also the last. Unfortunately in October Camelot are increasing the number of lotto balls to 59, and it is not viable for us to carry on with our scheme as we are having difficulties filling the 49 there are at present, there is a vacancy at the moment. May I take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all those who have taken part over the years supporting your club. Pat and Bernie Sharps started the scheme to help raise funds towards the cost of rebuilding of the club house and it raises some £1200 each year. Thank you, Pat and Bernie. Also thank you to Wendy, who over the last seven years has been quite happy to collect your money and send out your winnings. If anyone has any other money making ideas the GMC are only too willing to listen. Barbara Huggett
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