What a difference a year makes! Last year we were rained off and had to postpone but this year there has been hardly a drop of rain to be seen. Umbrellas this year are being used to provide welcome shade for our spectators.
Rosemary did the honours and acted as President for us for the day and Richard headed up the Chair’s team. We had 26 players in a mixture of triples and pairs over 5 rinks. The overall winner was the Chair, 98-70, with Richard looking delighted to be able to accept the trophy.
Following the game we had a picnic and drinks. Our new tables and chairs were put to good use once again.
Apologies for the lack of more regular match reports but things have been busy on and off the green, so here is quick update for May working backwards…
On Tuesday 31st a thunderstorm deposited enough hail to stop play and turn the Green white. An early tea gave time for the hail to melt, and the game resumed with a dramatic win for Stoke Park on the last end.
Despite the weather getting worse as summer approaches we have played all our fixtures and have had some success with friendlies both home and away. Notably we beat Burpham and Knaphill at home over the weekend 28th/29th May. We travelled to Oatlands Park for a new fixture and were made very welcome despite the rain.
League fixtures continue with varied success in Tuesday Triples, Knaphill Triples, WSBA Midweek league and the Surrey Ad. Again all fixtures have been played despite the weather.
Our Thursday Club Night league is proving popular with new and old bowlers, with 25 different members currently taking part. Skills sessions on a Monday afternoon are giving us opportunities to practise shots and track our progress. Everyone is welcome to join either of these – it doesn’t matter if you have not been before.
This year several members have entered Surrey and WSBA competitions for the first time and have had the opportunity to play singles, pairs, triples and rinks against other clubs and visit new grounds.
Lots of people have been involved in improving the green surrounds and environment led admirably by Barbara and Steve D. We now have a composting system to recycle our grass cuttings. The banks are full of colour and the two flower beds near the clubhouse are looking splendid. Len sourced two planters for us from the National Trust which were filled with manure and compost before being planted up. Ask Mike B or John W about collecting the manure!
On Sunday 17th April our green was officially opened for the new season. Our chair Richard Duddy and David Matthews’ daughter Sara each gave a short speech to the assembled throng before David’s widow Rosemary delivered the first bowl of the season
David Ewins had organised a short game of triples over six ends. Thanks to the good turnout, we had bowlers on six rinks and we were able to use our new scoreboards, kindly funded by Rentokil Initial. Everyone enjoyed playing in the warm sunshine and the afternoon was rounded off with tea and cake.
Here’s to a successful season.
Our new scoreboards.Keen bowlersMichael deliversStella prepares to deliver a bowl
Our first (post-Covid) jumble sale since October 2019 was held on Saturday, 9th April in the Village Hall.
Setting out the last of the jumble at 8am
We made £443.79 at the Jumble Sale with a possibility of more to come from sales on ebay.
Joan and Allen would particularly like to give a big thank you to those that helped in various ways, including our ‘donors’ and customers; without your support it would not have been such a great success.
I am writing to let you know that our President David Matthews passed away peacefully in hospital on 23rd November. Although he had not bowled outdoors in earnest for a while, David remained a very enthusiastic and supportive president and member of our club.
David’s passing is a great loss – we will all miss his cheerful determination and encouragement for the continued growth of Merrow Bowls Club.
Rosemary, Sara and Melanie have asked me to let the bowlers know that they would be very welcome to the wake, which will be held at Merrow Village Club.
Sara writes: David’s funeral is on Tuesday December 21st at 10.30am at Guildford Crematorium, and then from 12 noon at Merrow Village Club. We would love as many people as can to attend and join us to celebrate dad’s life – please wear something colourful. Family flowers only but donations to the bowls club if people would like.
The club’s annual Presentation Lunch took place on 24th October at the Guildford Masonic Centre. Due to the Covid pandemic we had to skip our 2020 lunch, so this was a welcome return to our calendar.
As usual, we were blessed with a fine day and a great turn out, with an impressive number of new members joining us for the event.
The carvery lunch was very well received by everyone. As usual, a quiz was provided for each table and, once everyone had eaten, it was time for president David Matthews to present the trophies. Congratulations to all the winners.
The afternoon concluded with a raffle and the results of the quiz, which was won by table five.
Photos kindly provided by Andy Kirk.
A lovely view from the terrace
A lovely carvery for lunch
David Ewins receives one of his trophies
Lorna receives her medal
Debbie receives her trophy and medal
Ken and Allen presented with their medals
Steve M and David Foster get their trophy
David Ewins collects another trophy
David and Debbie win a magnificent trophy
Steve with a well deserved trophy
Christine, our Most Improved Bowler
Ken receives another trophy
The winning Harding Cup squad
Sally, Allen and Steve with their Hot Shots certificates
Our last Thursday club night of the season saw 24 members playing a timed triples match which was narrowly won by Trevor’s team despite being down at the half-way mark.
We then adjourned to the main club for drinks and a well-deserved fish ‘n’ chips supper. The raffle draw curtesy of Allen M and Ken caused a great deal of amusement but eventually all the prizes were distributed.
This was the first of the social events that John and Trevor are arranging over the winter so keep a look out for the Quiz and Race Nights along with our three planned indoor fixtures.
Work on the Green
The end of season work on the green started early thanks to the fact that our last two friendly matches were away to Seale and Sands and Castle Green. We lost both matches but were well entertained by both clubs and many of our new bowlers were able to play over the weekend.
Meanwhile Steve M was introduced to tining. You can see him above sporting his new PPE whilst ‘driving’ the hollow tining machine. It certainly made life easier being able to alternate the work with a rest and a cuppa. The green was hollow tined, scarified and cleared up on Saturday before sarel rolling and overseeding the next day – just in time for the rain!
Second pass of scarifying in progress
Green ‘cleaned’ ready for sarel rolling and overseeding
Merrow Village Bowls Club 