Weekly news plus match report, 30th July
- Kim Wright
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
In this week's newsletter, we have advice on how to set up an emergency contact (ICE), should anything happen whilst you are bowling or at the club. In the match report, it's been a busy week for matches, with the Over 55s knockout cup, the Wedmore Plate and the Parrott Shield all being contested, with varying degrees of success. Please keep signing up for our ongoing matches, whether you are a new or a seasoned player - we need you all!
Fancy dress and fish n chips night is fast approaching..... Click here for details
Read on for all the latest news this week.
Don't forget the Quiz next week!
Just a quick reminder - our fun quiz is coming up next week. Click here for details and RSVP to let us know you are coming.
Alternatively, sign up on the list in the clubhouse.
ICE?
It's a sad fact that none of us are getting any younger, or fitter. We've had a couple of emergencies in the club in the last few years that have entailed calling ambulances and close family. The installation of our defibrillator in the clubhouse has given some reassurance that we could help if the worst happens.
But in an emergency, how do we contact your next-of-kin?
ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency". It is a system used by first responders to quickly identify your emergency contacts and crucial medical details if you are incapacitated. If you haven't done so already, here's how to set it up on your phone:
iPhone: Open the built-in Health app, tap your profile, and select Medical ID. Add your emergency contacts and ensure "Show When Locked" is turned on. Responders can view this by holding the side button and dragging the Medical ID slider.
Android: Modern Androids have an "Emergency Information" section in Settings > Safety & Emergency. Add your info so it can be accessed from your lock screen's emergency call dialler.
If you need more details, click here for a guide on the Stroke Association website.
NoK on the website
There is also a section in your bowling club website profile that records your next-of-kin (NoK) name, relationship and phone number.
If you haven't yet completed this section, click the login button to access your profile.The red arrows on the picture show where to look. Click Edit Profile (see green arrow) to add or amend the information
This information is accessible by committee members in case of an emergency.
Ladies' afternoon success, 24th July
On Friday, we had an enjoyable session with Bobby, a local physiotherapist with expertise in women's health and wellbeing. There was good attendance, and once we had arranged extra chairs, Bobby gave us lots of information about how the body ages in relation to hormones that deplete after the menopause.
Amongst other things, we learnt more about the importance of sleep, good diet/hydration and impact exercise on maintaining good health. There were lots of questions, leading to an interesting and interactive afternoon.
Bobby joined us afterwards for cream tea (but not the prosecco!) and gave out discount vouchers for her women's wellness service.
Thanks to Bobby, and everyone who came along. Thanks also to Wendy for arranging the cream tea, Angela B for helping and Janis for serving the prosecco.
The event raised £30 towards club funds.
Kim Wright
Internal competitions are hotting up!
All the internal competitions have now reached the semi final stages, which are due to be played by 22nd August. Well done to everyone who has taken part so far even, or maybe especially, if you came second - there have been lots of very close games, and exciting games.
Many members enjoy coming down to watch these matches so, if you can, please write the date and time of your semi-final on the schedules in the club when you have arranged it.
Don't forget that finals day is Saturday 5th September when all finals will be played. If you're not playing please come along and support.
This week's match report
Over 55’s at home to Portishead RBL, 19/07/2026
Our most recent over 55's match was against Portishead in the Knockout cup. When I looked at the score after the match I thought we were hammered, but looking at the score card at home that was not the case, we actually won on four rinks but lost heavily on a couple of rinks.
Four rinks managed to win by a total of 15 shots. Phil Villis was top rink winning by 6 shots, closely followed by John Wright who won by 5 shots. The two losing rinks dropped 41 shots between them.
We were short of several of our better players which notably weakened our side. As I have said in the past, we must play our new bowlers as they are the future of the club; weaker players must be given a place in the teams, as fully paid-up members they demand their selection. The selection committee is aware of this and do make an effort to accommodate all members.
We were knocked out of the cup not by a superior side, as we had won on four rinks, unfortunately losing heavily on a couple of rinks. The scores were Portishead RBL 111 shots: Banwell 85 shots.
Thanks to all who played on a hot Sunday afternoon.
Allan Shattock
Over 55s captain
Wedmore Plate away at Nailsea, 21/07/26
Read on for a tale of missed opportunities.... Travelling to Nailsea for the next round of the Wedmore Plate with a scratch side was a major challenge for the four rinks involved.
To their credit, they gave as good as they got and ultimately lost by only five shots. At one point, the rinks skipped by Dave Williams and Phil Villis were so far ahead that Banwell led by 21 shots at the halfway stage. That clearly had an effect on the Nailsea team, who took control in the second half and eventually squeezed home by the narrowest of margins.
The final result was two wins for Banwell and two for Nailsea. Nailsea now move on to play Clevedon in the next round and, while we wish them the very best, we would be surprised if they can pull that one off.
But, as we all know, bowls is a strange old game and anything can happen on the day!
Hilary Guckian
Captain of the Day
Ladies' friendly away at Yatton, 22/07/26
Sometimes we realise just how lucky we are in the bowling world to have friendly games with friendly people. Today was one of those days. Playing with the Yatton ladies, I was honoured to be Captain of the Day, along with Janis, Sue S, Sue T, Wendy and Kim, playing triples on 2 rinks.
Although it was a sweltering afternoon, we were all able to enjoy the game, playing it in the spirit it was intended to be played. The final result, of course, had to be a draw - maybe on paper, Yatton won a few more points than us!
After the match, we were treated to a fabulous cream tea, shared around a single table, which was full inclusive for all of us to catch up with old and new friends. Our thanks to President Jennifer, Captain Pam Gibbons and ladies of Yatton club. We can also be proud of Pam, as she learnt her bowl craft at Banwell then, with 'the fire in her belly', joined Yatton in order to play in league and other matches at a competitive level.
Banwell ladies have become very strong and, personally, I see us being a force to be reckoned with in the not-too-distant future.
May all our friendlies be as good as today was.
Debbie Baker
Captain of the day
North 1A away to Clarence, 25/07/26
This match was a tale of two halves! A mixed afternoon weatherwise on a fast Clarence green with an easterly wind blowing in from the sea made for a challenging afternoon
for our A team game.
Played in a good spirit, we found ourselves up against it at the halfway stage with two of our rinks losing 14-2 and 11-2, whilst Chris Wilson's rink was holding at 8-8. And, then the tide or wind or something else turned and we began to bowl, finally!
Much to the surprise and angst of the Clarence team we came back and won the game by 5 shots 52-47 with two wins and a draw. Nothing short of miraculous is all that can be said of a challenging afternoon, resulting in 11 points to 1 in our favour. True grit came to the fore when it mattered most and we now move into second place in the league.
Hilary Guckian, on behalf of Phil Villis
Captain of the Day
Parrot Shield away at Winscombe, 29/07/26
This was not a game for the faint hearted! Reaching Winscombe for the first leg of the Parrot Shield proved the evening’s first challenge, thanks to traffic chaos around Banwell.
We eventually arrived, and the match began on time.
Unlike in previous years, four of the five rinks remained closely contested from the outset. That continued until the final few ends, when we normally lose momentum and concede shots. Not this time! A tremendous effort across three rinks secured a 74–67 victory and a seven-shot lead ahead of next week’s return match. Played in excellent spirit, the game brought wins for the rinks skipped by Paul Aldus, Mal Laycock and yours truly. Well done, too, to John Wright and Phil Villis for holding firm at the finish.
Our last away win at Winscombe in this annual competition was in 2021, so there is now real hope that the shield could return to Banwell if we can repeat this effort next week. Congratulations also to Mark Wilkinson on his first major competitive match for the club; in the words of his skip, “he played well”.
Selection for the return match will take place on Monday 3rd August, so please make sure we have enough names to choose from.
Hilary Guckian
Captain of the Day
Umbrella, 27/07/2026
This week's competition took the form of two rinks of triples and one of pairs. As you probably know, the scoring system for umbrella counts number of ends, plus points for the winner, depending of number of winning shots.
As it turned out this week, although there were 2 wins and a draw, the scoring system turned the outcome on its head for each rink:
Dave A, Doreen and Angela M beat Wayne, Mark W and Wendy by 3 points. However, the calculated score was an 8-8 draw
Martina, John A and Trevor G played Richard, Sue S and Debbie. The match was a draw, 13-13. With ends only taken into account (no points for a winner), Debbie's team won, 8 ends to 7.
Finally, Kerry and Sue T played Alex and Martin Although the score was 14-11 to Team Sue, Martin and Alex won more ends and - even with the points for the winners added to Sue and Alex - they sneaked in with a 9-8 win
The lead has changed this week. After a correction made to Martina's score (one week was applied to the wrong Garfield....), she is now joint leader alongside Dave Williams. Doreen has moved up to 2nd and Wendy is currently 3rd.
Click here to see the latest results on the website, or scroll along to the Umbrella tab on the Spaces app.
Fancy dress and fish n chips!
The competition rumbles on - we have only 4 weeks left of umbrella! As most of you know, it is traditional to have fancy dress (optional) as well as fish and chips on our last evening which, this year, is 25th August. You don't need to be playing to have fish and chips.
This year, the price of cod has risen dramatically, so we have a choice of other fish, which our supplier at Winscombe tells us, is just as good. Prices are fluctuating weekly, so will be confirmed nearer the time. Payment needs to be made by 17th August. Click here to order yours, and pay Bob at the bar once prices are confirmed.
Last year for the first time, the fancy dress had a theme, which was Give it some Green! Following the success of lots of people dressing in green, we thought long and hard about a relevant theme for this year. Based on the main topic of conversation over the summer - the weather - the the this year's theme is Hot Summer Nights. I'm looking forward to seeing some imaginative outfits!
Kim Wright
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