Category Archives: News Archives

News articles from 2013 and earlier

Pewsey Vale BC awarded funding

Pewsey Vale BC has been awarded £50,000 from Sports England, as part of the legacy from the 2012 Olympics. This award will be used towards the cost of rebuilding the changing rooms and toilet facilities which are currently being subjected to subsidence. The work will be carried out after the end of this season and the new facilities will be ready for next season. The Club has also been awarded £5,000 by Wiltshire Council towards the cost of connecting the clubhouse with the main drainage system.

Wiltshire Ladies annual Patron’s Day 2013

On Monday 9th September there was a musical happening at Devizes Bowls Club when Bowls Wiltshire Ladies held their annual Patron’s Day with the theme of ‘Music’.  Amongst the 55 who attended there were Minstrels from Box, Morris Dancers from Amesbury, Rock & Rollers from Devizes and Bradford on Avon, and a whole range of other assorted music – inspired costumes. After a photo call the challenge of bowling while in fancy dress was undertaken with varying degrees of success. The game consisted of 3 sets of 7 ends and then the total shots for each individual decided the winner.

Patrons Day 2013

Results – 1st – Ann Poolman (Blue Circle)
2nd – Eleanor Mahoney (Devizes)
3rd – Margaret Webber (Alderbury)

Despite a few showers everyone seemed to enjoy the day and the raffle raised a good sum of money for the funds. Bowls Wiltshire Ladies are grateful to Devizes Bowls Club for once again providing the venue for this event.

Team Manager’s Report on Middleton Cup Performance

Well what a Middleton Cup season we have had, right from the very start we knew it would be tough to get out of our group as we basically had 6 new set ups, but we got off to a flyer at home to Dorset and over the next three group games our confidence grew, although we made changes on the way, and it culminated with a fantastic win over Somerset on their home pitch to seal qualification.

So we qualified for the quarter finals against Berkshire who we had lost to the previous year at the same stage, however the team put up a superb performance with a great togetherness, and won a very tight match on the last end against a very strong Berkshire side.

We then made it to Worthing, which this year was a big bonus for us, and looking at the draw we possibly had the advantage, although we certainly did not go out to Leicestershire thinking we were favourites. This was always going to be a tough game, especially as at the last minute we lost our England International Graham Shadwell as Bowls England would not change the timing of his quarter final in the mixed pairs.

So we moved Steve Snell up to skip and moved Paul MacDonald up to three and brought in James Nobbs at two who had played well reaching the Triples final with Neil Smith and Gary Morphet the previous week.

We all know how close the Leicestershire game was, I think at one stage we were actually 20 shots down and still 15 shots down across the board at 17 ends, the guys then put in a tremendous effort over the last 4 ends and we actually won all the last 6 ends to pick up 7 shots and turn a three shot deficit into a brilliant 4 shot win to reach the final.

In the final we had to play Norfolk who won by the same score of 4 to beat Devon. There were no changes in our side as Graham had won his semi final and had to play the Mixed Pairs Final at the same time.

We had a very positive start and moved into a 13 shot lead after 4 ends and held the lead until the 13th end when Norfolk drew level and you could sense that this was going to go down to the wire. After 17 ends Norfolk had taken the advantage by 3 shots, but we were not going to give in and after 20 ends had been played we were back in front, but unfortunately we lost 7 shots over the last end to lose by 4 shots.

Obviously when you reach the final both the players and myself were disappointed to lose, but on reflection they were all winners in my eyes, to get out of a tough group section and then have a great win over Berkshire in the quarters, to then have a fantastic close win in the semi over Leicestershire and lose to such a small margin against a good Norfolk side in the final was a brilliant performance combined with a great team spirit. The selectors and myself are very proud to be looking after a great bunch of guys.

On a personal note I was also very proud to be watching my two sons Steve & Mike skipping together in a Middleton Cup Final. I don’t think we lost the final and I don’t think Norfolk won it, it could have gone either way, however as team manager, watching is definitely much harder and I would rather have been out on the green playing.

Dave Snell – Wiltshire Middleton Cup Team Manager

Four Rink League Quarter Finals

The Four Rink League is reaching the Final stages with Quarter Finals taking place this weekend at four separate venues around the County. Thank you to the Clubs who have agreed to host these games and let’s hope for some fine weather so we can look forward to some good bowling. The Semi Finals will take place on the following Sunday – 1st September.

FOUR FOURS LEAGUE Quarter-FINALS 2013

Sunday 25th August, commencing at…..10.00am

Match 1. West End  versus  HoltVenue: Chippenham Town BC

Match 2. Chippenham Town  versus AlderburyVenue: Devizes BC

Match 3. Spencer Moulton versus Highworth Venue: Chippenham Park BC

Match 4.    Amesbury  versus Westlecot Venue:  Trowbridge Westbourne BC

Wiltshire Youth – Worthing 2013

Wiltshire Youth were invited to take part in a game at Worthing on Sunday August 18th. Although we were already committed to taking part in the Bowls Wiltshire Gala Day at Swindon and Amesbury, with a bit of rearranging, we managed to fulfil all commitments. Thanks to a great deal of assistance from Joanna Richman we think we had almost all Wiltshire Juniors Bowling that day.

We arrived at Worthing at 10.45, after a long trip on the Coach, starting in Swindon at 07.45.

All the players were then invited to a team photo with the Bowls England Presidential team.

We then had a triples game against the Hampshire Youth team which was played in a very sporting atmosphere with all the bowlers from both teams delivering some very good bowls. A special mention must be made of Frankie (age 7) whose appetite for bowling was brilliant.Bowls Wiltshire Youth were represented by :- Ben Choules, Sean Ethrington, Jake Jowett, Daniel Bavister, Dave Murray, Kyle Anderson, Edwin Stanford, Jake Webster, Mike Titcombe, Ben Gray, Rhys Crowley, Frankie Stinchcombe, Charlotte Daniell, Jo Richman, Izzy Thomas, Maisie Daniell, and James Richman.

Wiltshire came out the eventual winners at 105 to 89.

Lunch was then provided for the players and some of the supporters. This was followed by a bowls drive, allowing all the players to play with different team members and in all positions. It proved very interesting to watch how they coped with playing out of their regular positions.

All players were then presented with a Tote Bag and a Certificate as a memo of the occasion.Many thanks must be recorded to The Friends of Bowls England for supplying the coach and other funding to make this day possible.

The last time we will be at Worthing.

Bowls Wiltshire Charity Gala enjoyed by all!

The BW Annual Charity Gala was held at two venues on Sunday 18th August. Swindon and Amesbury Bowls Clubs both very kindly offered, once again,  to act as the hosts and made the usual excellent job of the occasion – working hard to provide good greens and facilities  and preparing a very welcome lunch for all the competitors. There were 16 teams in total and this included two BW Youth teams and a Nomads Team made up of BW Officers and other bowlers from Amesbury and Salisbury who filled in at the eleventh hour – thank you!

There were two sections of 4 teams at each venue and the winners of each section played in the Final for a trophy and a cheque. The trophies were new to the event this year but were not new at all! We have refurbished two old cups which have been in storage. The one presented at Amesbury was originally presented to Wiltshire by Charlie Davis, late of Salisbury BC in 1964. The one used at Swindon was presented by H. E. Parker of Swindon BC who was County President in 1932. This seems to be an eminently appropriate way to perpetuate some of our County history.

The winning team at Amesbury was Wilton – Richard Hindley, Dawn Toomer, Geoff Toomer, Sue Gurd, Margaret Griffin, Ann Hindley, Diane Sheppard, Pete Gurd and John Sheppard – who beat Amesbury in a very close Final, only winning by 2 shots in the end. At Swindon the Final was between the Wiltshire Youth Team and Spencer Moulton with the Spencer team coming out on top.

Congratulations to the winners but also a big thank you to all the teams who took part. 12 BW clubs were represented this year but it would be really good to see a few more next year because those who do support this Charity event always go away saying what a great day they have had. We can spread the event to a third venue if necessary – perhaps your club could enter/host next year??

Finally, we are very grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make this event a success and enabled us to raise money for the Benevolent Funds. See you all next year!

A Day to Remember – the Youth Team perspective

‘Fantastic day, great bowls and brilliant support are a few ways to sum up the Bowls Wiltshire Gala Day…We all had a great laugh and had a thoroughly enjoyable day. An extremely well organised day and a great turnout added to the atmosphere.  Our North Area Youth team with the backing of some recyclable teenagers really held our own in a grueling fight to the end, where we faced Spencer Moulton’s toughest team, although that did not stop us thanks to the huge support from the side lines. Would recommend to any bowlers in the area…a day to remember! :-)’

“The Gala day held at Amesbury BC was a great day with a lot of fun, banter and good bowling. Although there was a little rain halfway through we all seemed to enjoy ourselves and Wiltshire Youth would like to thank Amesbury for their accommodating attitude and well organized day”

022

Bowls Wiltshire Charity Gala

Junior Coaching – Wanborough

Following our very successful Open Day in May, the club invited Wanborough Primary School to send some children down to the club for five, weekly coaching sessions.  A senior coach, Carl Fernandes kindly agreed to run the sessions, helped by two other qualified coaches enlisted by him together with one our own coaches and 3 members.

Between four and six children attended every session and they really enjoyed themselves and made good progress.  Our new brightly coloured junior bowls were a great hit and at the final session, Carl brought some target activities for which the children could gain points as they tried each one.  The winner was presented with a small trophy with the runners-up all receiving prizes.

The headmaster was very pleased with the sessions and has asked if we can run them again next season.  We certainly hope to be able to do this.

Amy Rose 2013

Congratulations and best wishes go to the Wiltshire Amy Rose squad who have won two games so far and are due to play the semi final on Sunday 4th August.

On Friday 2nd August they defeated Huntingdonshire by 9 shots and furthermore, on Saturday 3rd August they defeated Buckinghamshire by 3 shots.

All the best to the girls who are playing against Surrey at Leamington at 9.30am on C2 & C3.

Champion to defend Greenkeepers title at BW Finals Weekend

On Monday 22nd July 23 men and 1 lady played in the Greenkeepers Competition at Devizes BC. It was a very hot day and the greens were running fast but there were some very close games leading to one semi-final between Geoff Toomer from Wilton and Roy Carter from Rodbourne Cheyney in which Geoff was never behind and won by 15 shots to 9 and the other between defending Champion Kevin Carter from Highworth and Steve Rose – also from Rodbourne Cheyney. This proved to be a ‘game of two halves’ with Kevin finding himself 2-7 at 7 ends. However, over the next 7 ends he turned the score around and came out the winner 10-9. So the Final will be between Kevin Carter and Geoff Toomer at BW Finals Weekend on 7th/8th Sept at Devizes BC.

In the Plate Competition which was run as a 2 wood event alongside the main draw for those who lost their first round games the Final was between Colin Little from Devizes and Les Cousins from Downton with Les eventually going home with the spoils (a bottle of whisky!)

Our grateful thanks to Devizes BC for hosting this competition and for the hospitality afforded to all who attended.

Les