Bowlers rediscover the great outdoors
Billingshurst Bowling Club celebrated the opening of the new 2024 season in style.
Three members with more than 120 years’ connections with the club, Bill Monckton, Beryl Barraclough and Alan Readshaw, bowled the first woods of the year. Watching in the crowd was Sir Jeremy Quin, MP for Horsham, and his wife, on their first visit to the green.
It was a brilliant day for the opening of the season with 18 people all new to the game of lawn bowls coming along to try the sport.
After introductions and an opening ceremony, they quickly picked up the idea and soon all the woods were getting very close to the jack. Even the MP joined in the action.
With all six rinks in use, the sounds of joy, surprise and the excitement of how quickly the new bowlers picked up the basic techniques through the encouragement of club members, was heard across the green.
After a short break for tea and cake, proceedings began again.
The afternoon ended with new friendships established and a new hobby found for
some.
If you would like to try the sport or would like information about the club, go to www.billingshurstbowlingclub.co.uk or go along to the green for a Friday club night from 6pm.
Access to the green is at the far end of the swimming pool, just behind the Station Road Gardens.
PULBOROUGH
Pulborough's first away match of the season was at Ewhurst in Surrey.
Three triples played 18
ends on a green that had been under water just 24 hours earlier. Mats were used to protect the green.
Pulborough bowlers adapted and it proved a tight game, with Ewhurst just sneaking the win by two shots.
Top rink for Pulborough went to skip Brian Maughan, with Jane Gray as Lead and Ray Knight as two.
After winning all but three ends and keeping the Ewhurst triple on zero until the tenth, they took the win by 26-7.
Pulborough players came out in force to support the first PBC open day of the 2024 season on Sunday.
More than 20 members of the public responded to intensive online, flyer and brochure marketing, to enjoy some free tuition from club members and a fun day on the green.
The junior contingent came out to support the day, mixing with the other club members and new players, creating a lovely family atmosphere that went down a treat.
Membership numbers swelled as people discovered a love for the sport and were hungry for more.
Hopefully the next open day on Saturday, May 11 will be as successful, helping to future-proof the club for locals to enjoy!
SOUTHWATER
Southwater played at Hurstpierpoint. The match was lost 44-54 but one rink won 20-15 – Sue Lewis, Mike Jones, Pauline Scott and Peter Curd.