Camelford and District Bowling Club Opening Day — Saturday, April 14

AS A PREAMBLE to the start of the 2018/19 season, Camelford and District Bowling Club held its ‘Opening Day’ on Saturday, April 14.

It was a bright, sunny day and 21 members (including two players from a Kent touring side) enjoyed an afternoon of friendly bowling. It was the first time any outdoor bowling had taken place this year. Usually two or three evenings are taken up with practice sessions but the adverse weather conditions had meant that it was more opportune to delay play to the last minute.

Neill, Bob and Nick have done a great job in getting the green playable — only a couple of weeks before it looked doubtful if it could be. Wet, cold conditions didn’t allow any overseeding to germinate but a slight change in the weather brought about a good green sward. Members had brought plates of food which was eagerly consumed after the afternoon’s play.

On Monday, April 16 and Wednesday, April 18, the Camelford players were joined by a touring side, Hunton Bowling Club, who come from Kent.

The Monday match was played in windy, cold conditions but 18 ends were achieved with a cup of tea and biscuits after 10 ends. On Wednesday it was brilliant weather; sunny and with a warm breeze with the format the same as two days previous.

Again, 18 ends were played and at the teatime stage President Colin Parsons welcomed the visitors and cracked a couple of his usual funnies.

The Kent response came from three jokers and the Camelford side were issued a welcome to a return visit to Kent next year if they choose to.

Holsworthy Bowling Club Opening Day — Saturday, April 14

HOLSWORTHY Bowling Club opened their green for 2018 on Saturday, April 14 with the first bowl cast by the president of Holsworthy Rotary Club, Clifford Vickery.

The rotary club have donated three new scoreboards to Holsworthy Bowling Club, which were put to immediate use.

This was followed by all members present taking their positions in a circle around the green for the ‘spider’.

The nearest bowl to the jack was bowled by Peter Weston, who was rewarded with a bottle of wine.

The volunteer groundsmen have worked very hard on the green during the close season and particularly hard during the days before opening with the somewhat unpredictable spring weather so everyone was pleased that their hard work came to fruition.

The club will get their 2018 season underway on Tuesday, May 1 with the ladies and men in action at North Tawton.

Sylvia Langford replaces Rose Chetwynd as ladies captain and start their campaign on Tuesday afternoon in the 86 Shield while the men have a few hours longer to wait as they open in the 71 shield under the guidance of Dave Webb who’s taken over from Mike Sutton.

Stratton Bowling Club Opening Day

THE president of Bowls Cornwall, Peter Prynne, and his wife Judith opened the green for the new season at Stratton Bowling Club recently.

Before play started, a ‘spider’ took place which was won by club president, John Connell.

Play then commenced with Mr and Mrs Prynne spending the whole afternoon there.

Afterwards, everyone met in the clubhouse for tea, which supplied by the members.

Mr Prynne then presented the winners of the club’s short-mat competitions with their prizes, which were as follows:

Singles: Ron Smith; Pairs: Ann and Gerald Maynard; Triples: Ron Smith and Ann and Gerald Maynard

THIS was followed by the presentation of prizes for the day’s game with Simon Gambriel taking the honours from Geoff Perkins in second and David Parrott in third.

Peter was presented with a bottle of wine and Judith with a bouquet of flowers to go with Stratton’s thanks for making the day so memorable.