Newsletter and match report, 13th August, 2026

The last week has been one of shock, sadness and remembrance as we come to terms with the sudden loss during a match of Hilary Guckian, our friend and long-term member of Banwell Bowling Club. Out of respect, all events and matches were cancelled following his death on Friday afteroon, restarting on Monday evening.

The club flag is at half mast.

Hilary

As members assembled at the club on Monday late afternoon, the atmosphere was one of shock and grief. Interspersed with this were smiles as we looked at an old photograph, showing a particularly young Hilary back in the day. Many recalled their experiences, especially the newer members who all appreciated Hilary's encouragement and advice.

The clubhouse was full, with most of our members coming along to pay their respects. A book of condolence was on the table, containing all the tributes posted via the website over the weekend. Members were encouraged to add to it, with the aim of giving it to Vicky to confirm how much he was admired and respected at the club.

For a couple of weeks or so, the book will be available on the bar, along with a letter we received from Vicky at the weekend. Please feel free to write tributes and messages.

Just before the start of the evening's play, President Barry assembled everyone outside in the sunshine. He stood on the green and gave a moving tribute to Hilary. He highlighted his length of time as a member, the many roles he undertook to keep the club running and that he would be missed by members old and new. Then he led the club in a minute's silence.

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Thanks to other clubs for their gestures of respect, especially Winscombe for their minute's silence and Ashcombe for their donation in Hilary's name.

Rest in peace, Hilary. We will miss your banter, your wisdom and your presence in the clubhouse as well as on the green.

Rinks day

Whilst it was definitely right to cancel the rinks day last Sunday, a number of members have suggested that we should rearrange it. I know Hilary was really looking forward to it and was thrilled that we had 32 people signed up, something that hadn't happened before, as he told me on several occasions!

So, we propose to rearrange for Sunday 30th August. If you would like to play, you can sign up online or in the clubhouse. Please do so by Sunday 23rd so that the teams can be selected on Monday 24th.  

So, it's over to you.  Some may not be comfortable with playing but provided we get sufficient numbers we will go ahead.

Wendy Coleman

This week's match report

Over 55’s at home to Portishead RBL, 11/08/2026

The start of the fixture was looking good as one of RBL’s team hadn’t turn up by the start, so it was decided to start play.

With the hot weather still persisting the two captains of the day decided to do away with trial ends and go straight into the game playing one on the first 2 ends. Even after the first 2 ends some rinks were finding it hard to stay in touch with RBL. Plus the missing player arrived having got lost due to the bypass diversions.

As play continued, only rink one (skipped by Barry Taylor) and rink four (skipped by John Wright) showed any sign of scoring a win. At about end 10, rink four dropped a 6, pushing them out of contention, but at the same time rink three (skipped by yours truly) picked up a 7 and continued without losing a shot for the next 5 ends.

Unfortunately Portishead RBL turned up the pressure on the other 5 rinks coming away with a 128 to 76 win, with 10 points to 2.

One consolation is that at the moment Banwell are 2nd in league 2.

Mal Laycock

Captain of the Day

Umbrella, 10/08/2026

Following President Barry's tribute to Hilary, the match began. We had 3 triples and one of rinks. Along with a competition match and a rink being used for a rollup, the green was full. Those who weren't playing sat down to watch.

Player and spectators in the sunshine, by Kerry

Prior to the start of the evening, 6 new people were receiving coaching from Wendy and Allan; Sheena and Duncan were on their 2nd week of coaching, and joined us for the match. The usual good-humoured confusion over who was on which rink took over from the sombre proceedings as the teams settled down to play.

Here are the scores:

With 2 weeks to go, the competition is hotting up!

When the number of ends won was added to the points for the score difference, the winning teams on rinks 2 and 3 scored 17. When everyone's lowest score was removed, Dave W's 'unassailable' lead was overtaken!

Click here to see on the website how this week's points affected the umbrella table, or scroll along to the Umbrella tab on the Spaces app.

Kim Wright