PORT OF BRISTOL BOWLING CLUB NEWS

After seven male Presidents over a period of almost 53 years the club has its first Lady President. Flo Grimes has accepted the invitation to take office and will serve for the next three years. Flo has been at the club for a number of years, bowling regularly and making contributions in numerous ways. She holds two other offices --- Women’s Delegate to the Gloucestershire Association and she is one of two Safeguarding Officers at the club.

The office of President is very much what each President makes it but wearing the splendid chain of office and presenting trophies and prizes at the annual Presentation Evening is one essential duty.

The club operates for 52 weeks of the year --- not just when bowling on the green is taking place between April and September.

Social events on Sunday Evenings from October to March --- alternating between skittles and excellent quizzes devised and presented by Gordon Dimond bring people together and also generate much needed income for the club during the Winter Months when money is still being spent and none coming in.

A much awaited and looked forward to event each year is the Winter Bowling Break which for several years now has been at the splendid Toorak Hotel in Torquay. This year’s break was from March 5th to the 10th and saw thirty bowlers, families and friends head down the M5 for five days of not only bowling on the hotels great four rink indoor arena but much more including a night of ten pin bowling --- still at the hotel --- and a visit to the Theatre in Babbacombe for a wonderful colourful variety show.

There was lots of time to enjoy all the facilities on offer at the hotel and to explore Torquay and the surrounding area. Some bowlers went to the Jungle Journey Adventure Golf --- not far from the hotel and really good --- 18 holes and every one a challenge. Wild animals ---- not real ones, looked on as would be golfers toiled to make the ball disappear into the hole!! It was all great fun and very different from bowling!!!

At the end of another very enjoyable week Thursday evening was time for joint organisers Dee and Gill to make presentations to winners, those who contributed in some way and ---everybody had something. There were prizes for top bowlers and for top players at Ten Pin Bowling. Stephen Ash was this year’s top man bowler and Flo Grimes Top Lady ---- both were very surprised. Dave Chilcott was top man at Ten Pin Bowling and Allison Ash was top lady. There was this year a separate prize for those bowling with an aid and that went to Carol Maby. Another successful and highly enjoyable week came to an end with some folk taking in the wonderful KB Sounds and other happy with a drink and a hand of cards. Hopefully it will all be repeated in March 2024.

Looking ahead to the new outdoor bowling season ---- there will be lots of bowling to enjoy from Mid April until Late September. Forty mixed friendly games --- some home and some away --- on Wednesday afternoons and at weekends.

Men’s and Ladies Bristol Leagues from the end of April and Club League on Monday evenings from early May.

There will be Club Competitions and participation in County Competitions by individual members and the Men’s League Team this year.

Bristol After Stroke Club will be at the green on Thursday June 15th ---- they came in 2022 and really enjoyed it. It was great how well some of them bowled.

There will once again be Junior Bowling and this year the hope is to build what there already is into a Junior Section of the club. Letters have been sent to a number of local Primary Schools inviting them to the green for a free bowling session.

The club will also provide bowling for children and young people who attend the main clubs Summer Holiday Activities sessions --- mainly in August.

Free try bowling sessions are available again this season. Would you like to try bowling? Its free and all equipment supplied. There is no longer a fixed day and time. Call David Huntsman on 07932 387217 to arrange your session --- its free of charge or obligation.