Spencer’s Melksham Bowls Club end of season report

IT’S been a busy season for Spencer’s Melksham Bowls Club.

Mick Over reports, “Well another season comes to an end, on a successful and most enjoyable year of bowls. The season started late due the greens everywhere being waterlogged and unplayable. Then it was time to find jumpers and fleecy jackets, to keep warm hot drinks in the pavilion after the game which was a change. 

 “Then of course it was time to complain as we enjoyed a few months of fantastic weather. ‘It was too hot for old people to be playing bowls for 2 ½ hours in the heat’ was a cry heard more than once in the season. No pleasing some people; for me, it was a chance to keep the shorts on longer than usual. Never seen so many knobbly knees on the bowls green! 

“We were fortunate this year to hold quite a few county qualifying games throughout the season for both men and woman. This was a chance to see some of the best bowling on our green for a long time. The enthusiasm the younger players put into their game is a sight to behold. They say it’s a game for old farts to play and keep out the wife or the old man’s way. I’m sure that if a few councillors played this wonderful game there would have been a bit more help with keeping Christy Miller open (but that’s another story).

“Our green has taken a beating this season with the drought and if it wasn’t for Brian Roper and Avon sports ground maintenence staff working so hard to give us a decent surface to play on, it would have been a different story – well done Brian.

“Our ladies this year were crowned County Triples Champions – well done Jenny Couch, Marilyn Jay and Delia Godwin.The girls went to Leamington Spa for the national finals. Unfortunately Jenny was unable to play, so Julie Craw stood in for her and I’m reliably informed she really enjoyed the experience, despite losing in the first round. 

“The Ladies also hosted this year’s Norwest League gala day, with ladies from local clubs playing for their chosen charity, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, which this year has come to its new home in Melksham. They raised approx. £250 which was presented to representatives of Wiltshire Air Ambulance. 

“In the West Wilts mixed pairs we were fortunate in having two club stalwarts in Dave and Mo Laws getting through to the finals at The Avon Bowls Club under the flood lights, being beaten on the night by Avon couple Marcia (Cub) Hartley and Collin (Bear) Easton.

“Men’s Tea and Biscuits league finals took place at the end of the season over three days at the club. With the five league champions and three highest runners-up playing a Knockout over the three days, my team, Spencers “D”, got a buy in the first round and got thrashed in the second round by a much superior Broughton Gifford side. Hard luck lads and thanks Mel Coggins for managing our side to promotion and the knock-out final. Broughton Gifford won the final, beating Chippenham town by a very large margin.

“September the 8th saw the county finals at Devizes Bowls Club and a wonderful result from the officer’s finals with Pete Sanders (club secretary) Jenny Couch (ladies fixture sec) and Jane Edwards (ladies captain) beating Stratton Churchway by more than twenty shots. After winning at Devizes, Pete and the girls did a quick about turn, back to our captain’s day.

“Our captain Allan Jarman had a wonderful captain’s day to round off the season. Thanks for carrying out all your duties to a very high standard, Allan.

“Now that the season has finished and the green is being got ready for next season, I would like to thank all our new members who joined our club this year, and look forward to welcoming you all back next year along with all our present members.

“Lastly it is with many thanks to our committee Pete Sanders. Pete Carr, Bernie and Carol Davies, Pete Byfield, Jenny Couch, Janet Richards Mo Price and our captains Jane Edwards and Allan Jarman .

“As the saying goes, Winter well all bowlers everywhere!”

Above: Marliyn Jay, Delia Godwin and Julie Craw who travelled to the national finals in Leamington Spa.