Banwell Bowling Club

The Pond,Banwell,
Somerset. UK

Welcome - Lshaped Green - History of Bowls - Honours - Latest News - Fixtures - Links
League news - Friendly Matches - Internal Comp - Umbrella Comp - Contact Us - Sponsors - Charity Day

A Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all our readers

Breaking News - sorry Jenny Brice, just a play on words

		Jenny Brice breaks her Ankle Sorry to hear the news Jenny. What news I hear you cry. Well poor old Jenny Brice has taken a tumble and the net result is 4 broken bones in her ankle. The hospital have plastered her leg up to the knee and they are hoping that the broken bones will reset themselves in the correct order. If not, then an operation will have to be undertaken Not the best time of the year for this to happen Jenny but we all wish you a swift recovery. Just put your your foot up, relax and get Terry to wait on you hand and foot !!

2020 Fixture List now on the website

Our Fixture Sec, Mal Laycock has been working hard and has now given me the fixture list for 2020.
To view, click on 'Fixtures' above

Don't Forget
Club members get together
Saturday 7th December
The Coach House Locking.
Just be there at 2pm

FORTHCOMING ATTRACTION - Christmas Drinks - Club members get together

Club Members
Get together for Xmas Drinks

The Coach House Locking
Saturday 7th December
Starting at 2.00pm

Coach House, Locking
Saturday 7th December, 2pm start

All that is needed is for you to turn up,
stay as short or as long as you wish.

So see you all on the day.

Trevor Garfield
Social Secretary

Dinner and Presentation Evening Saturday 26th October 2019
	Annual Dinner and Presentation Evening

	Worlebury Golf Club - 29th October 2019

It was that time of the year again, the 'Dinner and Presentation Evening'
Club members flooded into the Worlebury Golf Club for the occasion.

As usual I was wandering around with my camera and below are just a few of the
photos of the night. Sorry if you do not appear, you were just unlucky.
And those who received more than one trophy - well you may only appear once.

And then there were various people, sitting around at various tables, talking about various subjects


And then there were other people doing other things, or just enjoying themselves


And then came the speeches from Barry Taylor, President of Banwell and David Bishop, President Somerset County Bowls Association


There followed numerous presentations. Not all are shown for various reasons, sorry if you were not included


It was a good end to a mixed season, we had good wins, horrible losses and were promoted and relegated. You cannot say that it was not an interesting season. So good luck to Mac Kirby as he takes up his captaincy for 2020, and good luck to you all. And to quote that corny phrase... Winter Well And finally.......

We have still not cured our Social Secretary
Trevor Garfield of his liking for taking photos of
people's kneecaps. Must work harder on this
problem next season. Cheers Everyone

Three More Tour Photos from Snap Happy Mike Bass

The Mike Bass Portfolio

I received an email from Mike Bass with some photos attached which were taken during the 2nd week of the tour.
Three of the photos I thought captured the scene rather nicely. So here they are MIke, and thanks for sending them to me.


	More decisions for the Captain "What the hell do I do now?	Next years Captain Mac in his usual active mode	Tunnel Vision Very artistic Mike.

Phil Villis plays in successful Somerset Side
	Indoor Bowls News
		Phil Villis in successful Somerset County Over 60's Team Congratulations to Phil Villis, who formed part of the successful Somerset Over 60's team who beat Devon over 6 rinks ( Three rinks home and three rinks away) Phil was playing away at the Exonia Green. In a tight match, the rink in which he was playing were one up going into the last end. They came out winners by 3 shots. Somerset will meet either Berks or Hampshire in the next round *Well done Phil, keep up the good work*

Club Tour - Hotel Vila Gale Marina - Portugal - October 2019

	Club Tour Hotel Vila Gale Marina, Vilamoura, Portugal October 2019

For our tour this year, Captain Hilary Guckian made the decision to go abroad.
This was a first for Banwell, who previously, had only toured in the UK.
Enough people showed an interest to go on the tour and so planning went ahead.
Firm bookings were made by Personal Touch Holidays for our stay at the Hotel Vila Gale Marina.
And on the 10th October we were on our way from Bristol Airport to Faro Airport in Portugal


And so we gathered at Bristol Airport, where Barry drank Coffee on account of the drinks being prohibitively expensive. Only the rich or foolish could afford to purchase alcohol		A couple of hours lated we arrived at Faro Airport ready to board our coach for the hotel - Nice green cases Barry!

On the tour I just wandered around as I normally do taking pictures, some are good, some are bad.
However I was assisted by other members of the tour who also wandered around taking pictures on their iphones
which they then emailed to me. Again some were good and some were bad.
But thanks to everyone who supplied me with additional photos, they were very much appreciated

At the Hotel


The Bowls Green And then there were the bowls matches, 3 played on grass greens and one played on an artificial green We went down on all 4 games and the match at Floresta played on the artifcial green, was a total disaster. But at the end of the day we enjoyed ourselves in the warm sunshine. Joao Nunes drew up a spread sheet with the combined scores for each person. The only person who came out smelling of roses was Lee Pheasant who after skipping 3 winning rinks ended with a positive score over the 4 matches
Lee Pheasant 15 Terry Brice -1 Cath Heal -5 Angela Bass -14 Mike Bass -14 John Wright -14 Kim Wright -14 Terry Coleman -17 Chick Coffin -20 Mac Kirby -27			Match Results *Banwell 87 - Pedras 95* Banwell 65 - Alvor 83
Pam Kirby -27 Paul Wilfan -27 Wendy Coleman -28 Harry Woodards -32 John Amos -39 Shawn White -42 Hilary Guckian -45 Barry Taylor -47 Sue Taylor -59 Rob Taylor -59			*Banwell 45 - Floresta 112* Banwell 63 - Valverde 99

And then there were presentations of every shape and size

Captain Hilary and Tour Manager Joao Nunes were doing a splendid job


Not be outdone, President Barry was bumbling along enjoying himself


Eh OOOP this is really nice wine, I think I will have a couple before my swim. Later Barry emerged looking resplendent in his new green bathing costume recently purchased from Marks and Spencer. But eagle eyed team members noticed that he had forgotten to take the label off the new bathers. It all got a little too much for the President who fell asleep on the following trip But at the other end of the pool.......


At the other end of the pool, Cool Super Dude John Wright, complete with his Gamboa hand made Panama hat, and strategically placed Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses, draped himself gracefully over the sun lounger and surveilled the scene.

Some of Ladies

Some of the ladies - unusual hat, Angie Bass !!

Just a few more pictures, in no particular order- I was inundated with photos from everyone. So thanks very much


Well I don't know about you lot, but I thoughouly enjoyed my stay in Vilamoura. Ok so we did not win any games, but the sun shone every day, the drinks were remarkably cheap.There were plenty of pubs in which to have a drink while watching the world cup rugby. And beautiful beaches and marina to have a gentle stroll Huge thanks must go to Hilary Guckian for organising our first ever tour abroad, and also to Joao Nunes the Personal Touch Tour Manager, who ensured everything went smoothly We must do it again some time And finally In memorandum....


A Soulful Goodbye It was time to go, I was packing my bowls gear in the case when a voice penetrated the silence... "You are not thinking of taking those bowling shoes home?" It was the soft dulcet tones of my wife. "Well yes, as a matter of fact I was, I can get a few more games out of them" "You must be joking, look at the state of them, they are disgusting" And with that she raised herself to her full 5 feet 2 inches in size brushed me aside, grabbed my shoes and stuffed them in the bin alongside the empty whisky bottle. "You can buy yourself a new pair when we get back to the UK" So when I think back on the tour I shall think, with perhaps a little sadness of my old comfortable bowling shoes. I am reminded of the words of Rupert Brooke There’s some corner of a foreign field....... See you all at the club dinner

Jimmy Laurent - Memorial Service Saturday 5th October
	A fitting farewell to Jimmy

	Jimmy Laurent. 17th May 1942 - 30th May 2019


	175 people attended the 'Memorial Service for the life of Jimmy Laurent" and as the vicar said "Jimmy was a well loved character of this village" There were people from all walks of life at the service, the football club, several members of several bowls clubs, the Banwell British Legion, and villagers who had known Jimmy throughout his life, to mention but a few. The British Legion flag was lowered as Mac and Pam Kirby played the last post and President Barry Taylor gave an excellent potted history of Jimmy's life. JImmy would have been impressed by this send off. Food and refreshments were laid on at the Bowls Club after the service and with 175 people attending, it was busy to say the least. Finally, President Barry and wife Carole would like to thank every who supplied the food, also the hard work of the bar staff, and anyone else who had a hand in this memorable day. We drank a toast to Jimmy and said goodbye to him

Out Buildings Maintenance - another report from Paul Aldus

Not 3 men in a boat
But
3 Men on a roof

The Banwell Pump House Roof Repairs

The roof of the shed conta ining the pump
and control panel for the sprinkler
system was rotten and on it’s last legs.

It contains the electrics for the system
and would not mix well with rainwater,

So Graham, Dave and Paul replaced the rotten roof
using the spare marine ply left over from
when the clubhouse floor was replaced.

It’s now been felted and hopefully it will see us out!

Green Maintenance gets underway - A report from Paul Aldus

		Green Maintenance Programme 2019 Autumn Work gets underway This is the one time of the year when weather conditions and green availability give a relatively small window of opportunity to undertake major repair, renovation and development work on the green.
	In brief, following previous preparatory work in the weeks prior to closing day, preparation for the Autumn work was undertaken with a deep scarification of the green. This uses a specialist machine to remove the build up of dead and dying organic matter (grass, moss, weed) etc. which, if not removed, adversely affects both the health and speed of the green. A top dressing of a specialist sand was applied and levelled along rink 1 to begin to address some of the worst levels there. Areas of the green were prepared and then over seeded with fine fescue and bent grasses to address bare and thin areas, covering this with top dressing to assist in germination. Finally granular fertilizer and then calcium were applied to assist in regrowth, germination and as part of the ongoing plan for our green development.



Further work will occur throughout the close season which will include hollow tynning, which removes 1000’s of small cores from the green surface/top layer and also a specialist tractor will be used to carry out a deeper aeration of the green whereby solid tines penetrate the green to 10” over its whole surface.

To assist with green health and mitigate against green disease,
it is very necessary to ensure worm casts and particularly dew are swept off the green surface.

Once again this year we have a band of volunteers who cover every day of the week
and who will start as soon as the new seed has germinated and established.

They are:

Harry WOODARDS,
Mal LAYCOCK,
Gerry BEAN
Dave MABBUTT,
Graham MILLARD,
John EVANS,
Barry TAYLOR
and Shawn WHITE.

A big thank you to the above mentioned volunteers

Paul Aldus - September 2019

Captains Day - 2019
	Captains Day 2019

A perfect Day.
The weather was hot, a gentle breeze rippled across the green.
The price of drinks was guaranteed even to make the non drinkers imbibe.

Had we died and gone to heaven? - not quite.

Vicky Guckian produced an excellent meal, and
Captain Hilary was in top form as he recounted experiences
throughout the season.

So well done Hilary, a successful year as Captain


Above photos of Hilary thanking a few of the many people who helped out during the year I did take a lot more photos but it would have taken me all day to put them on the website So apologies if your smiling face has not appeared.

A very theatrical Vice Captain
in full throw as he thanked
Hilary for all his hard work
over the season.

Club members were totally impressed
at Mac's ability to fall asleep but still
continue to talk.
Can't wait for next season

Meanwhile Hilary is warming to the
situation, a few statesman like words
to motivate the club members.

Then

A quick kiss behind the flowers
(No one will notice Chris)
And that is the formalities over and done
with for this year

		The Clubhouse

"Hey President Barry
I am having such a
lovely time I think I
will burst into song"

"Eeeh Ooop Lass
steady on old girl,
you do not want
to curdle the beer
now do you, by Gum"

It was good to see Charlie Williams, once again, the clubs one and only Centenarian, looking so fit and well


	I say old chap this is frightfully nice beer, what!	Serious Business this Captain's Day don't you think my love	Who's a happy bar maid then?

And finally the club would not be complete without this gentleman.....

"No you see, ees too oi too oi
and ees too eavy too eavy.
ee got to learn to settle down, settle down"

"Oi mean ee only ad to get within
this distance of the jack
just a draw and
ee could ave got shot"

"Oi dont know Oi really dont"

Well done Hilary, All the best for next season Mac
Winter Well everyone - See you at the airport or at the dinner and Presentation Evening

Pound in the Pig - Final Results
	Pound in the Pig - All is revealed
	Have you ever wondered what happened to your £1? Yes that's right you had "Bowled a Wrong Bias Wood" causing total panic on the adjoining rink. After the game you were then coerced into putting your cash into the pig as a fine for your moment of total lack of concentration and your insipid and uninspiring sense of direction. Well sit up straight and pay attention and I will tell you where your pound is going This year all money placed into the pig will be donated to: *The Local Banwell Under 7's Football Team* And the sum of money?.....£171.00 Pounds Yes that's right £171.00 Pounds Below is Fixtures Secretary Mal Laycock with the cheque So some good has come out of members aimlessly chucking their woods all over the green.

Banwell Over 60's team finish on a high

Banwell Over 60's team take
38 points from
their last two games to power
their way into 2nd place
and promotion

Final Table for Division 2 Weston Over 60's League As at 13th September 2019

Barry and Carole Taylor celebrate 54 years of marriage

		Congratulations to President Barry and Carole Taylor on 54 years of married life It was back in 1965 on the 11th September that Barry and Carole tied the knot. A day to celebrate - Congrats
President Barry treats his vegetables to a day out While on the subject of President Barry, did you notice that on Finals day, when he was on 'Presentation of Trophies duty' he brought his vegetables along for a day out. "Eh you know my vegetables like a day out, change of scenery and all that, and of course it stops them getting lonely when I am not there, they miss me you know" So there you go folks, for more exciting news watch this space

Finals Day 2019 - Results
The weather was perfect and there was some excellent bowling throughout the day. Below are the Winners and Runners Up for the finals played over two days. Note: The Triples and Rinks competitions were played at an earlier date
	Winners	Runners Up
Men's Championship
	Men's Club Champion Chris Wilson	Phil Villis
Ladies Championship
	Ladies Club Champion Martina Garfield	Jan Davies
Men's Handicap
	Men's Handicap Winner Phil Villis	Graham Millard
Men's Veterans
	Mens Veterans Winner Graham Millard	John Davies
Men's 2 Wood Singles
	2 Wood Singles Winner Mike Amos	Phil Villis
Novices
	Novices Winner Leigh Bean	Shawn White
Beginners
	Beginners Winner Leigh Bean	John Wright
2 Wood Pairs
	2 Wood Pairs Winners Mike and John Amos	John Wright and Lee Phesant
Ladies Pairs
	Ladies Pairs Winners Jan Davies and Angela Bass	Martina Garfield and Joy Lane
Men,s Pairs
	Men's Pairs Winners Chris Wilson and Dave Mabbutt	Trevor Garfield and Trevor Burnett
Open Pairs
	Open Pairs Winners John Davies and Chris Wilson	Dave Mabbutt and Phil Villis

Angela Bass and her success at Walking Netball

	Well Done Angela Bass Taking part in the Bath University National Vintage Games last Sunday (1st September) the Hutton Moor Ladies Walking Netball team -"TheTrailblazers ", was presented with a special award for "The team which best represented "The True Spirit and Ethos of the Games". It was a unanimous decision by the judges chosen from the 45 teams competing overall in different disciplines. *"Hutton Trailblazers"* was started by Angela Bass three years ago. She was a founder member of Ladies Walking Netball before The England Netball Association recognised the sport. Starting with 4 players the membership has now grown to 44 and Angela is now an England Netball Walking Netball Host. She was honoured to accept the trophy on behalf of the team

Terry and Jenny Brice celebrate 52 years of marriage

	Congratulations Terry and Jenny Brice 52 years of marriage celebrated on the 2nd September 2019 Terry told me that they got married in 1967 and went to Torquay for their Honeymoon. While in Torquay they splashed out and bought seats in the Princess Theatre, where top of the bill was Max Bygraves.

Umbrella Competition - Last game of the 2019 season

Umbrella Fancy Dress Evening

The usual fancy dress evening took place on Monday and celbrated another successful Season

The outcome of the competition was still in the balance with up to 4 players still in with a chance of winning
But it was Jan Davies who came storming through at the end to win the trophy.
Congratulations on your win Jan
( Final Table can be seen on the Umbrella Page)

A big thank you to Trevor Garfield for his organisational skills throughout the season

Below are just a few photos to give you a flavour of the last game


	*President Barry Taylor Presenting the winners Cup to Jan Davies, after the game*

A Motley Crew indeed !!


	The green Men Nice Dress Chaps, But did not improve your bowls	Jan Davies, the eventual winner	Andy Pandy goes to sleep while making a speech - nothing new there	Air Marshall Sir Terry Coleman (order of the wrong bias) and his good lady Wendy.( Wendy turned up as a strict head mistress complete with cane, but appears to have migrated into a penguin)


	Wow, what panache. Not bad Terry. He only knocked one of the opposition's wood in for shot this time	For Goodness sake somebody buy Maurice a razor	Andy Pandy wandered into the selection committee. But which of the others is Looby Loo? Answers on a postcard please

And Finally:

President Barry watches the
spectacle of two of the ladies
spontaneously breaking into
the Banwell Bowls Club
formation performing a
2 step Dance

"Eh oop, by eck
its more fun watching these two lasses gyrating around the green, than observing Alan Cockayne trying to get his woods somewhere near the jack time after time
Eh by Gum".

Also a big thankyou to
Vic McArdell who took
command of the camera
while I was playing.
So if there are any photos
you don't like... He took them !!

Pauline Mabbutt Hits the Headlines
	Banwell's Pin Up Girl Page 3 of the Sun? No not quite, but even better.... Page 51 of the Weston Mercury
		Pauline Mabbutt featured in the Weston Mercury And there she was, featured in the sports section of the Weston Mercury. In full flowing action her graceful lines in full and perfect symmetry set against the harsh lines of the green. I have heard people say that these graceful and elegant lines give an emotionally aesthete and pleasing aspect to this well taken photograph. Bullst and hogwash? Without a doubt. A load of nonsence? Absolutely But well done Pauline,** the Mercury sports editor likes you.

£800 donated to Prostate Cance Fund

A Message from the Captain

Following a collection from the local business community the sum of £200 was raised through the donation boxes for Prostate Cancer

In addition Banwell Bowling Club raised a further £600 as a result of Charity Day

So the total raised for
Prostate Cancer was £800

My sincere thanks go to all those
who gave generously on the day.

A good day for all concerned

Cheers
Hilary Guckian

Banwell Bowling Club

The Pond,Banwell, Somerset. UK

Jenny Brice breaks her Ankle

Our Fixture Sec, Mal Laycock has been working hard and has now given me the fixture list for 2020. To view, click on 'Fixtures' above

Don't Forget Club members get together Saturday 7th December The Coach House Locking. Just be there at 2pm

Club Members Get together for Xmas Drinks

The Coach House Locking Saturday 7th December Starting at 2.00pm

Annual Dinner and Presentation Evening

Worlebury Golf Club - 29th October 2019

The Mike Bass Portfolio

Indoor Bowls News

Phil Villis in successful Somerset County Over 60's Team

Club Tour Hotel Vila Gale Marina, Vilamoura, Portugal October 2019

A fitting farewell to Jimmy

Not 3 men in a boat But 3 Men on a roof

The Banwell Pump House Roof Repairs

Green Maintenance Programme 2019 Autumn Work gets underway

Captains Day 2019

Pound in the Pig - All is revealed

Banwell Over 60's team take 38 points from their last two games to power their way into 2nd place and promotion

Final Table for Division 2 Weston Over 60's League As at 13th September 2019

Congratulations to President Barry and Carole Taylor on 54 years of married life

President Barry treats his vegetables to a day out

Well Done Angela Bass

Congratulations Terry and Jenny Brice

52 years of marriage celebrated on the 2nd September 2019

Umbrella Fancy Dress Evening

Banwell's Pin Up Girl

Page 3 of the Sun? No not quite, but even better.... Page 51 of the Weston Mercury

Pauline Mabbutt featured in the Weston Mercury

A Message from the Captain

So the total raised for Prostate Cancer was £800

The Pond,Banwell,
Somerset. UK

Our Fixture Sec, Mal Laycock has been working hard and has now given me the fixture list for 2020.
To view, click on 'Fixtures' above

Don't Forget
Club members get together
Saturday 7th December
The Coach House Locking.
Just be there at 2pm

Club Members
Get together for Xmas Drinks

The Coach House Locking
Saturday 7th December
Starting at 2.00pm

Phil Villis in successful
Somerset County
Over 60's Team

Club Tour
Hotel Vila Gale Marina,
Vilamoura, Portugal
October 2019

Not 3 men in a boat
But
3 Men on a roof

Green Maintenance
Programme 2019
Autumn Work
gets underway

Banwell Over 60's team take
38 points from
their last two games to power
their way into 2nd place
and promotion

Final Table for Division 2 Weston Over 60's League
As at 13th September 2019

Congratulations to President Barry
and Carole Taylor on 54 years of
married life

Congratulations
Terry and Jenny Brice

52 years of marriage
celebrated on the 2nd
September 2019

Page 3 of the Sun?
No not quite, but
even better....
Page 51 of the Weston Mercury

Pauline Mabbutt featured
in the Weston Mercury

So the total raised for
Prostate Cancer was £800