City and Port of Bristol Bowling Club

from South Bristol Direct Local Magazine January 2023

Bristol Parkway Station

A highlight of any year is the Annual Presentation Evening where winners, runners up and all who took part in the season's competitions are recognized. 2022 was a season of few competitions but those that did take place were well contested and enjoyable. This years Presentation Evening broke with tradition in that it was on a Sunday night and part of a social event that included a quiz. Presenting the trophies and medals this year was Paul Bywater, a founder member of the club --- he was at the meeting in June 1970 when it was decided to form a bowls club, based at the port. This year saw two doubles achieved --- A.N.Other won both the Monday night league and cup competitions and Brian Crawley was part of a winning team in both the Jack Ashton Triples and the Two Wood Pairs. First to be presented was Bill Hatherall --- captain of A.N.Other Charlie Maby --- captain of Nomads --- and his team – Dave Chilcott, Mike Poter and Paul Bywater taking runners up medals for both league and cup. The Jack Ashton Triples Winners were Brian Crawley, Ray Cook and Derek Jones. Runners up were Graham Neale, Dee Crawley and Ken Davies. The very closely contested Two Wood Pairs was won by Brian Crawley and Alan Coulstring with Dave Chilcot and Phil Cormack taking the runners up medals.

The President's Cup is presented to the winner of a 21-shot game between the previous season's Ladies Four Wood Singles winner and the men's equivalent --- the winner of the game is then declared Club Champion. This year's winner is David Hinksman with Carol Green a worthy runner up --- it was a well contested game.

Following the presentations was the first half of an excellent Gordon Dimond quiz --- 35 questions across a wide range of subjects all designed to make a thinking cap essential. An American Supper ----lots of food. And a raffle followed before the second half of the quiz --- 36 more questions to baffle the teams of four taking part. At the end --- answers given, papers marked the winners were a team called Beachers --- all from Severn Beach --- John and Kath Bartlett, Carol Green and Paul Watton --- well done to them.

There is a social event each month until bowling returns in April and the latest of these was on Sunday 11thg December ---- it was a night of skittles . Lots of fun and prizes for the winners. The main skittle game was one of four ups with a prize for the highest scoring man and the highest scoring lady. Nick Burand was the highest scoring man and after a play-off with Lynn Burand Dee Crawley scored highest for the ladies. The game of killer – one ball which must hit a pin --- always good for a laugh ended with Nick Burand and Gill Hinksman fighting it out to hit a pin and int was Nick who prevailed to take the prize. Bill Hatherall was the highest scorer on The Table Skittles to take the prize for that. The Club was sad to hear of the passing of Tony Gardiner who, for a number of years came on tours and Winter Breaks --- he will be missed.

Looking forward, in March all roads will once again lead to Torquay and the Winter Bowling Break at the Toorak Hotel. Also, in March will be the Start of Season Meeting and a month after that the 2023 season will start with a game against Bristol St. Andrews.

The Club has a Health and Safety Officer--- Phill Chard has taken the job on and has already been to the green for an initial assessment.

For further information about the club and its activities please call David Hinksman on 07932387217