Captain's Day and end of season match report, 13th September 2026
Well, the end of the season has arrived. It's been a busy and eventful year.
Everyone enjoyed yesterday's Captain's day. Read on to see how it went, along with the story of our new flag.
The end of season league results have been published. Read below to see how Banwell got on in the over 55s, mixed league and men's leagues.
Captain's Day, Saturday 12th September, 2026
The club was packed with players well before our 2pm start. There was a great atmosphere, both in the clubhouse and out on the green. Eventually, everyone assembled for the traditional club end of season photo. However, this time it was a bit different, as a new flag was unveiled, to the surprise of most.
Our current club flag was procured by Phil Villis some years ago. Emblazoned with BBC (Banwell Bowling Club) it flew proudly above the clubhouse. However, this season the old, oft-painted wooden flagpole was looking a bit rotten in places. The committee decided it was a bit of a safety hazard, and some weeks ago Bob sucessfully procured an aluminium one to replace it.
The flag has been at half mast since we lost Hilary in August. Following his funeral service on Friday, we took it down. It felt like the end of an era. The flag will now be displayed in the clubhouse.
Kim and Wendy had decided it would be a nice touch to create a new flag to go with the new pole, especially as the club had settled on a single logo rather than the several different ones that had appeared over the years.
Following the Captain's Day photo, Bob, Kim and Wendy raised the new flag for the first time, to a round of applause from onlookers.
How the new flag was made
We intended to make the new flag the same size as the Villis one and started with a background that was the size of an 8-seater rectangular tablecloth - in other words, huge! Kim enlarged the pocket badge to fit the flag, then we set about cutting pieces to make a giant shield and lettering 10 inches high. It was quite a complicated project!
Here are a few pics of us putting the pieces together.
It's taken us a while and it's not perfect, but we hope you like it. Hopefully, it can be seen from the road and guide people to the club.
Kim and Wendy
The Match
The traditional Captain's Day spider started badly, with President Barry slipping as he put his foot in the ditch. A couple of the nearest members rescued him, then we began, with Mark winning the whisky - well done!
After patching Barry up, all was well and the match began. A great time was had by all, with sounds of laughter and oohs and aahs coming from every rink. The match was followed by an excellent meal in the clubhouse, including all manner of homemade desserts and mountains of cheese donated by Trevor Burnett.
Barry, acting as both Captain and President, gave a speech to finish off the season, remembering Hilary and thanking all those involved in the success of the club this year. Our final match is against a tour team next Saturday, then the green will be closed.
Good luck to all those playing indoors over the winter. Our next event is the annual dinner and presentation evening - look forward to seeing you then!
PS Feel free to post your captain's day and other photos here for all our members to see.
Annual Dinner and presentation evening, Thursday 19th November 2026
This year, our presentation evening is at Beachlands hotel in Weston. It should be our usual fun affair. To see the menu and select your choices online, click here.
The cost is £32 per head including a tip for the staff. If you'd like to come, names need to be in by Wednesday 16th September, including a £5 per head deposit to be paid to Bob behind the bar. Looking forward to seeing you there!
This week's match report
North 1A team at home to Portishead RBL, 29/08/26
Sadly all 3 teams lost despite everyone's best efforts.
At 2pm there were discussions about cancelling due to the weather or playing the minimum of 11 if that was possible. However come 2.20pm, the sun was out and by 3pm, Paul Aldus had to put sun cream on!
The game was played in good spirits and it meant RBL A got promoted back up to Premier 2.
Chris Wilson
Captain of the day
Over 55s league away to Portishead, 10/09/26
The team we sent to Portishead was a very weakened side, as many of our top bowlers were unavailable, but we put on a good performance. Alas we came second, losing by 24 shots. We won on two rinks, John Wright's rink won with ease whilst Mac Kirby struggled to a one shot victory - well done to both sides. In all fairness to the other teams, the green was rather difficult with some peculiar runs.
The scores are Banwell 89. Portishead 113. Points awarded Banwell 4. Portishead 16.
We went on the next day to the funeral of our colleague Hillary Guckian. He was a friend to all in the club, and a mentor to most. REST IN PEACE OLD FRIEND.
Allan Shattock
Over 55s Captain
End of Season Round up
Over 55s League
This is my last report of the season. I think it was successful one, attaining third in the league; we have as a club come a long way. New bowlers a few seasons ago have come on to be very good players, and we have some good new bowlers coming along.
My thanks to everyone in the club who has contributed to our season, Bob and Janis who ran the bar, laid up the tables with the crisps - also Wendy for the raffle prizes, and especially to everyone who turned up to play.
I have decided to put my name forward again to be Captain of the over 55's for next year, it will be my last season as Captain. I will have been in the role for four years, and at the age of 87 years it's time to let go.
Allan Shattock
Over 55s Captain
North Somerset Mixed League - Banwell comes 2nd!
Congratulations West Backwell on winning the league, and well done to all our mixed league players this season - a great result!
Team | Played | Points/diff | Ends won | Game pts | Total pts | |
WEST BACKWELL | 6 | 39 | 117 | 32 | 149 | |
BANWELL | 6 | 3 | 110 | 26 | 136 | |
ASHCOMBE | 6 | -7 | 107 | 24 | 131 | |
VICTORIA | 6 | -13 | 112 | 19 | 131 | |
NAILSEA | 6 | 14 | 105 | 24 | 129 | |
YATTON | 6 | -13 | 98 | 23 | 121 | |
ST ANDREWS | 6 | -14 | 89 | 20 | 109 | |
North Somerset Mens League
We had mixed results in the mens leagues this year. Banwell A team came 5th in North 1 league and the B team fared less well, coming 9th in North 2 league. Thanks to all who played.
Click here to see the North 1 league end of season table, and here to see the North 2 league table.
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