AVON Bowls Club say they have only a few more games to play before they leave the green and entrust it to their dedicated green keepers to care for during the coming winter months.
The club report, “There have been moments of great sadness during this year. Our club grieves the loss of two of our most valued members. John Butterworth passed away earlier this year after a short illness and in the last few days it was announced that Mike Hudd had also passed away. Both John and Mike have been outstanding members of Avon Bowls Club for a considerable number of years and will be sadly missed. They will always be remembered for their dedication, support and friendship.
“During the Covid-19 crisis, all bowls clubs have had to abandon all bowling activities between clubs. To overcome this, county president John Crowder and the club committee have done outstanding work, generating bowling activities within our club, since we were eventually allowed to get back on the green. They have had to adhere to regulations and restrictions set out by Bowls England.
“As a result, regular highly competitive games have been played with some innovative ideas introduced, to create a variation to ‘normal’ bowling. The introduction of the game played under the Australian bowls rules will I’m sure be a regular feature next year. Marcia Easton’s invention of a singles competition, played under somewhat unorthodox rules and without the usual requirement for a marker’s assistance, has created some very exciting and unusual situations and unexpected results. These deviations to our usual game format will undoubtedly be a regular feature next year.
“The club has had some ‘off the green’ success again this year thanks to Steve and Sue Faulkner. They were awarded third prize in the best commercial/club/ school section of the Melksham in Bloom competition 2020. Our praise to them for keeping our club looking so glorious.
“During next season, Bowls Wiltshire are forming a men’s First Division League. This will consist of the top five clubs in North Wilts and the top five clubs in South Wilts. Based on previous excellent results for the past two years, Avon Bowls Club have won a place in this league. The clubs are as follows: North Wilts Clubs: South Wilts Clubs: Highworth Avon; Purton; Chippenham Town; Rodbourne Cheney; Holt; Royal Wootton Bassett; Salisbury; Westlecot; Spencer Moulton.
“Avon’s first game will be at home on 28th April 2021 against Royal Wootton Bassett. There are two further leagues for the coming season, Division 2 North and Division 2 South.
“To our green keepers we offer our thanks and praise for all their hard work.”
