Weekly news - well, nearly....

This edition of the club news covers a span of the last 3 weeks, due to the small issue of the editor moving house, and missing an internet connection for a while.

Rinks Day, Sunday 10th August, 10.00

This annual club competition will be coming up in a couple of week's time, so you now need to sign up if you want to play.  A sheet is up in the clubhouse and you can also sign up online.

The closing date for entries is Sunday 3rd August and the teams will be selected by the selection committee on Monday 4th August.  We need to have a minimum of 24 players to make it viable, but 32 would be ideal.  Remember this is a full day competition, so you will need to bring your lunch.  There will be a competition fee of £3, payable on the day.

In previous years, you have been able to sign up for this on your renewal form but it wasn't included this year, as plans often change by the time it comes around, so make sure you sign up now to book your place.

Banwell School leavers play at the club

On Monday 14th July, headmaster Mr Farmer brought along 18 children - and a few teachers - to have a go at bowling. It was a hot afternoon, but we were prepared, with squash for the children during the game, and ice lollies afterwards. Kim, Mike N and Pete put out the woods and the games, which were created by Wendy. There were 3 rinks with a game on each - a noughts and crosses-type grid, some lanes for the children to bowl into, and some cones for them to bowl at.

Janis, Bob and Kim took a rink each, and with the teachers helping, gave the children a short session on the bias. And then we were off!

Pete, Mike and Kim stood at the far end, bowling the woods back as the children had great fun trying to get points from each game. Each group tried each game, before finally having a go at bowling to the jack.

It was a great afternoon, with everyone enjoying the bowling, especially Mr Farmer!

Here are a few photos of the action, with some innovative use of the green....

In other news....

Wendy went along to a Women's Institute (WI) meeting recently, where the members were keen to come and have a go at bowling with their families/ friends. There are some dates in the pipeline, so watch this space!

Match Report

01/07/25 Turnbull Cup v Yatton at Home

Despite splitting the rinks two each with wins for Hillary Guckian and Trevor Garfield, we lost overall to a stronger team. John Wright lost narrowly by a mere 2 shots, but the main damage was done on my rink unfortunately. We drop into the Wedmore Plate, where hopefully, some of our big hitters will be back to play and we have a more realistic chance of progressing.

05/07/25 A team v Yatton Away

We met Yatton again for our 3rd match against them since Sunday. A good win for John Wright's rink by 6 shots couldn't quite get us over the line for the win.

The gods were not too kind to Paul Aldus on a last end loss which turned on the very last end, losing by just the 2 shots; nor were they kind to Hillary Guckian's team who lost by 13 shots, but that's bowls as they say.

59 - 68 to Yatton in the end.

Mike Nickson, club captain

04/07/25 Over 55s League at home to Ashcombe Knights

We lost by only two shots to a very strong Ashcombe side who are currently third in the league table. We were without several of our more experienced bowlers, so I am encouraged by that going forward; it tells me that the less experienced bowlers are getting a lot better, which bodes well for the future of the club. I would say please use the coaching skills that Wendy and I have acquired. We are there to help - that's what the club paid the coaching fees for.

We have a new name on the rink of the week board; it's Terry Byrnes and his team, who won by 15 clear shots which is excellent, so very well done. My thanks to Steve Merchant for stepping in at the last minute.

Wendy's charity for MND did well this week by the number of wrong biases, me included again! Had any of those wrong biases counted, we would have won (except mine as it was bowled in the trial ends).

The scores:- Banwell 91 shots, Ashcombe 93

Points :- Banwell 6, Ashcombe 14, both sides winning on three rinks.

Next week we are entertaining Victoria Vikings. I can't make that fixture, so enjoy and make it a double over them.

17/07/25 Over 55s away at Aschombe

We were entertained by Ashcombe Templars this week; we lost the game by six shots, which means that we have beaten Templars twice this season and lost once - very good.

I understand that the committee has had another difficult week in selecting for the over 55's,scraping enough players together to play at Ashcombe, and having to concede the cup match against Victoria, as only four players put their names down for this fixture. The old cliche comes to mind if you want to compete in the over 55's, you must use it or you will loose it - it is in your hands.

It's with a heavy heart that I must inform you that it was my last game of the season and my very last game as over 55's Captain. I am going to have my knee done on the 2^nd August which will rule me out for the rest of the season. I will not be continuing as your Captain next season; I have done three years in that role and I'm not willing to carry on. I hope someone else will step up not only for the rest of this season but in the future also. If not, it's adding more work for the Club Captain, who has enough on his plate as it is. We should as a club be more supportive and complain less, for the job he does on our behalf and for the club is formidable.

This week's outstanding rink was once again led by John Wright, winning by an impressive 17 shots - excellent performance - well done to that rink. The scores were Banwell 93 shots: Ashcombe 99 shots: points awarded were Banwell 4 points: Ashcombe 16 points, having won on 4 rinks, to Banwell's 2.

Well done and thank you to all who played. And many thanks for your support in the last three seasons, even the leg pulling. 

Allan Shattock, Over 55's Captain

Social Friday Pay 'n' Play

Captain Mike says Pay'n'Play starts at 18:00 but you can turn up any time up to eight pm. It's been well supported and very popular, earning the club decent income and topping up our MNDA charity as well. Come along and bring your friends.

It's great news that we've had some new members signing up for the club as a result of coming along on a Friday evening

If you have any questions or suggestions, talk to Pete Shipton or Mike Nickson about Pay'n' Play.