The BDA are running a Week of Learning on the 22^nd January providing FREE workshops to support clubs affiliated to English Indoor Bowling Association, Bowls England, British Crown Green Bowling Association and English Short Mat Bowls Association. We are working in conjunction with Club Matters to run workshops on Club Legal Structures along with workshops covering Bowls Bash and the Play Bowls Platform, Bowls Big Weekend, an introduction to inclusion as well as the role of a safeguarding officer.

Dates and times for the upcoming workshops can be found below. More information about each workshop together with the booking link for participants can be found on our education platform:

https://bowlsdevelopmentalliance.com/education/

W/C 22nd January 2024

Introduction to Legal Structures

22^nd January – 6-7pm

25^th January – 10-11am

Role of a Safeguarding Officer

22^nd January – 6-7pm

24^th January – 10-11am

Introduction to Inclusion 

22^nd January – 10-11am

24^th January – 6-7pm

Introduction to Bowls Bash and Play Bowls Platform

23^rd January – 6-7pm

26^th January – 10-11am

Introduction to Bowls’ Big Weekend

22^nd January – 1-2pm

26^th January – 1-2pm

For further information you can contact Ben Abrahams Club and Community Development Officer at  email hidden; JavaScript is required

Bowls Wiltshire Men’s Tour 15^th to 18^th September 2023

 The President Dave Williams  and 36 tourist ventured to the Cotswolds  for their 2023 tour.

The accommodation was at the Crown & Cushion Hotel, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

The tourist met at the Chipping Norton Bowls Club for their first match prior to check in

at the hotel.

Tour Results

Fri 15^th Sept.   Chipping Norton B.C.     94

                          Bowls Wiltshire Men    135

Sat 16^th Sept.  Morton in Marsh B.C.     74

                          Bowls Wiltshire Men    162

Sun 17^th Sept.  Woodstock B.C.              28     Game played over 10 ends

                           Bowls Wiltshire Men     75     due to Rain

Mon 18^th Sept.  Fairford B.C.                 80

                             Bowls Wiltshire Men  95

As usual, after all games the DUCKS were presented to the highest losing rink and

Frances was also being presented to the Skip for safekeeping. The recipients  wore their ducks with pride.

Our Tour Gala Dinner was held on Saturday evening together with guests

Paul Demczak, President Bowls Oxfordshire and his wife Penny. Everyone had a wonderful and enjoyable  time, including speeches by Dave and Paul.

One of the  main purposes of the Tour was to raise money for the Presidents Charity. This year it was JULIA’S HOUSE Devizes,and the money was raised by a Grand Raffle held after dinner on Sunday.

Additionally money was also raised throughout  the Tour by the use of incorrect words,mainly  the “f” and “w “word. The funds were boosted by any misdemeanour identified for flagrant breach of Tour Rules by any Tourist at any time,as these also attracted an IVC ( INVOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION)

The 2023 Chipping Norton Tour raised £1100 for the Presidents Charity.

Over the past 18 years tourists have raised in excess of £12000 for various charities.

Bowls Wiltshire Men Chipping Norton 2023 Tourist

Avon B.C.                    Chippenham B.C.          Swindon B.C.

John Crowder             Dave Williams Pres.      Tudor Lloyd

Danny Holland JVP    Stewart Allison              Howard Pryse

John Bowlhouse         Gary Hubbard                Ross Wheeler

Terry Cook                   Keith Hutchens             Barry Wheeler

Andy Durrant              Steve McPake               Steve Herridge

Derek Francis               Jerry Tinson                  Bob Hiles

Royal Wootton Bassett B.C.   Rodbourne Cheney B.C.   Spencer Moulton B.C.

John Wilks                                  Dan Harvey                          Russell Francis

Alan Small                                  Steve Rose                            Ian Francis

Mike Osman                              Dave Royle

Haydon Wick B.C.       Mere B.C.                      Winsley B.C.       Westlecot B.C,

Dave Longhurst            Don Butchers IPP         Cliff Gumm          Frank Hinchliffe

Phil Reddan                   Alan Isgrove

Amesbury B.C.      Alderbury B.C.    Malmesbury B.C.      Wroughton B.C.

Peter Harding        John Snell             John Smith                Andy Watson SVP

In February 2023 John Snell’s wife, Shirley contacted the Tourists and requested that they play a game against John’s Club – Alderbury Bowls Club. This was to celebrate John’s 90^th birthday year and also his 67^th continuous membership of Alderbury Bowls Club.

All the Tourists were contacted as to availability and a team selected together with additional guests.

The Slaughterhouse Players and guests arrived between 1200/1230 as arranged and were greeted by President Sandy Jenkins. The club provided the Slaughterhouse Players with a wonderful buffet financed by John and Shirley.

At the evening meal prepared by the ladies of Alderbury Bowls Club, President Sandy thanked the Slaughterhouse Players for making the match possible and congratulated John  for the number of years as a member of Alderbury Bowls Club and his birthday year . Sandy then presented John with an inscribed paperweight from all the Club membership to celebrate the occasion.

Sandy then asked Dave Williams, President of Bowls Wiltshire Men and Captain of the Day, to address the bowlers and guests. He thanked Alderbury Bowls Club for the excellent meal they provided and congratulated Sandy and for the way the Cub had arranged and organised the day. He then presented John, on behalf of the Tourists, a suitably inscribed Tourist Shield . Howard Pryse then presented  John with a large montage on canvas which showed photographs of many Tourists, friends and bowlers he and Shirley had met over his many years of bowling in the UK and abroad..

BW Ladies gathered at Devizes BC today to take part in their annual Patrons Day.

There were a lot of potential new club colours on display..