2012 News

Saundersfoot Bowling Club Celebrates Golden Jubilee 1962-2012

 

 

Happy 50th birthday!

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012, marked the 50th birthday of Saundersfoot Bowling Club.On February 21, 1962, a number of local men, keen to have their own bowling green called a meeting in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot. The purpose was to establish whether it would be possible to form a bowling club within the village of Saundersfoot.Approximately 20 interested persons attended the meeting, and after hearing the speakers outline various plans, it was agreed by a large majority to go ahead and form just such a club. It was from that point that the hardwork of forming a bowling club started.The Right Honourable The Lord Merthyr was contacted and invited to become the first president. Members were then asked to nominate and vote for the formation of the first club committee. The principal officers elected that night were: chairman - J. E. C. Scourfield; secretary - C. G. Lawrence; treasurer - J. H. Williams. The first captain of the club was Trevor. Poole, father of Graham and Donny.The first green fees to be charged was the princely sum of £1.10s0d per season!The grand opening day was Wednesday, May 9th, 1962, with the actual opening ceremony being carried out by the Hon. Trevor Lewis on behalf of Lord Merthyr who could not attend.After the first wood had been delivered, a game was played between representatives of neighbouring clubs, Tenby, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock bowling clubs.
Half-a-century on, members and friends of the club today are looking forward to the club’s golden jubilee year.The club will officially open for the season on Saturday, April 7, and five special anniversary matches have been arranged to celebrate the anniversary. The first will be on Wednesday, May 9, 50 years to the day, the club opened, a men’s game against Pembroke County Bowling Association.To mark the anniversary of the formation.

 

 

Green Opening !

 

Saundersfoot Bowling Club's golden jubilee celebrations kicked-off on Saturday with the opening of the green. A large crowd of members, friends and sponsors attended the ceremony.Chairman, Paul Blayney, welcomed everyone to the opening and the start of the club's 50th anniversary year, thanking everyone for their work during the closed season, before handing over to president, John Evans, who welcomed guests of honour, chairman of Saundersfoot Community Council, Clr. Mandy Allsop, and Tom and Joan Osborne, Tom being one of the founder members of the club.Tom delivered the jack, before Clr. Allsop bowled the first wood to rapturous applause.
Also in attendance was Peter Wilton, president of Tenby and District Lions Club, who presented the club with new scorecards for the anniversary year. Club treasurer, George Cavell, also made a special presentation, giving chairman, Paul Blayney, a 50th anniversary commemorate plate to mark the historic occasion and his forthcoming retirement as treasurer after 34 years in office.Some 'brave' members then enjoyed a roll-up and get their bowling arms back in action.Refreshments were served in the clubhouse which were enjoyed by all present rounding off the afternoon's celebrations.

Club handbook

The club handbook was handed out on Saturday. It contains special anniversary messages, all the fixtures, as well as members' telephone numbers. Many thanks to George and Mary Cavell and Stewart Howe for their work in putting it together. Special thanks also go to all the local businesses who have placed an advertisement within it, namely Absolute Bowls, Spar, Templeton Beer, Wine and Spirit Co, Oliver Brace Electrical Contractor, Silver Strand Jeweller, Merlewood Hotel, Frosts Home Hardware, The Village Wine Shop, Tee's R Us, The Lanterns Guest House, Saundersfoot Pharmacy, Bronwen's, The Old Chemist Inn, The Cross Inn, Blooms and Beverages, Clean Tech, Shrublands, Heritage Park, Swallowtree Gardens, Heywood's of Saundersfoot, Chobbles, Costain, SkyElectrix, Rees and Hayden, Cleddau Press, N. D. Toy and Partners Ltd., Powells Cottage Holidays, W. and M. J. Rossiter and Sons Ltd., The Shoe Box.

SAUNDERSFOOT MEN V PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY BOWLING ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT’S TEAM

In the first of five specially arranged matches to celebrate their golden jubilee anniversary year, Saundersfoot played host to a representative team from the Pembrokeshire County Bowling Association, captained by this year’s president Colin Wynn, of Whitland.

On a rainy day, which was exactly 50 years to the date of the official opening of the green on May 9, 1962, the weather did not dampen anyone’s spirits and an enjoyable afternoon, curtailed to 10 ends, was enjoyed by all.

Everyone then enjoyed a splendid meal prepared by the wonderful ladies of the club followed by the Saundersfoot captain Don Poole giving a short history of the club, listing team and individual achievements that had been made by members both on and off the green.

He then made a presentation of a team photograph, which had been taken before the game and prepared and framed by club member Susan McKehon, and club tie to president Colin and county secretary and this year’s Welsh Bowling Association junior vice-president Gerard Thomas.

Colin then replied, wishing the club success for the year and the future before making his own presentations to Don, club president John Evans, chairman Paul Blayney and long-serving treasurer George Cavell.

It’s the turn of the ladies for the next anniversary game when this year’s president of the West Wales Ladies Bowling Association, Mrs. Jackie Church, of Pembroke Dock, will bring an invited team to play the club on Wednesday, June 13.

To celebrate the golden jubilee year, Saundersfoot Bowling Club has been presented with a commemorative flag. Club president John Evans and chairman Paul Blayney are seen with the flag prior to it being flown for the first time at last week’s first anniversary game.

Pembrokeshire County Bowling Association president Colin Wynn and his team.

Pic. Susan McKehon Photography

The Saundersfoot team captained by Don Poole.

Pic. Susan McKehon Photography

LADIES OPEN TRIPLES COMPETITION

The Kath and Paul Blayney Two Wood Open Triples competition took 
place last week, with entries from Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen  taking to the green for a full day’s bowling.Fifteen teams were split into three groups on a round robin format,  with the winners and best runner-up proceeding to the semi-final stage.Kath Blayney, of Saundersfoot, partnering Jo Shewry and Cally Jones, of Whitland, reached the final by defeating the Pam Langdon trio from  Haverfordwest, while Angela Roberts, Lorna Bissell and Marion Evans,of the home club, were victorious over fellow club members Steph Amos, Sue Roden and Gemma Amos.In an exciting final, it was Kath, Jo and Cally who emerged the winners to repeat their success of two years ago.The presentations were made by club chairman Paul Blayney, who            Runners-up Angela Roberts, Lorna

thanked his wife Kath for organising the event and all the other                 Bissell and Marion Evans.

ladies of Saundersfoot who had helped make the day such a success.
Umpire Fred Rogers was also thanked, as were all the competitors who 
supported the event.

Winners Kath Blayney, Jo Shewry and Cally Jones with the Kath and 
Paul Blayney Two Wood Open Triples Shield.

Saundersfoot Ladies Do Club Proud In Northern Ireland

Congratulations to Kath Blayney, Ceris Hewlings and Ann Lewis who 
came tantalisingly close to winning their first-ever British Isles 
title.
Winning the Welsh Women’s Bowling Association triples competition 
last September saw the trio represent their country in the British 
Isles Championships in Bangor, Northern Ireland, last week.
In the semi-final, they cruised to a 24-12 win over the Jersey 
champions, and in the final against the England triple, skipped by 
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Natalie Melmore, they domianted the 
first half, before England staged a strong second half comeback which 
saw them run out three-shot winners, 16-13.
Kath, Ceris and Ann were proud to march on the green alongside the 
other Welsh competitors and other countries competing, for both the 
opening and closing ceremonies, and during the latter were honoured 
to be presented with runners-up medals by Irish Women’s Bowling 
Association president, Bernadette McCullough.
Kath, Ceris and Ann would like to thank their family and friends for 
travelling to Ireland to support them and all their bowling friends 
at home for all their good luck cards and messages.

Saundersfoot Bowling Club celebrated the club’s golden jubilee with an anniversary game against the West Wales Ladies  Bowling Association

The ladies of Saundersfoot Bowling Club celebrated the club’s golden jubilee with an anniversary game against the West Wales Ladies  Bowling Association. An enjoyable afternoon was had by all - with even the sun making an appearance.The afternoon started with a spider - won by the club’s newest  member, Christine Harris, who received a bottle of champagne donated by club secretary, Ceris Hewlings - a friendly 21-end match was played.Everyone then enjoyed a splendid meal prepared by the wonderful ladies of the club, followed by the Saundersfoot captain, Angela Roberts, giving a short history of the club, listing team and  individual achievements that had been made by members both on and off  the green.She then made a presentation of a team photograph, which had been  taken before the game and prepared and framed by club member Susan McKehon, to county president Jackie Church, county secretary Ann Thomas, and treasurer Mary Cavell, who just happens to be a life  member of the host club. Jackie also received a bouquet of flowers. Jackie then replied, wishing the club success for the year and the future, before making her own presentations, which included the gift of two Japanese Acer trees from the ladies of the WWLBA who played which are to be planted around the green to commemorate the anniversary.
Top rink for the host club was vice-chairlady Kath Blayney, Steph Amos and guests Jo Shewry and Margaret Sanders, while for the 
visitors the honours went to Sue Evans, Jenny Harris, Janet Sutton and Di Davies. Many thanks go to everyone involved in making the event a success. It’s the turn of the men again for the next anniversary game when this year’s president of the Welsh Bowling Association will bring an invited team to play the club on Monday, July 16.
FOOTNOTE: During the ladies’ anniversary game, a minute’s silence was  observed in memory of former WWLBA bowler and umpire Jenny Hissey, of  Pembroke Dock, and also John Moffat, of the host club, both of whom had passed away recently.

Pic. Susan McKehon Photography

The ladies of Saundersfoot Bowling Club with their guests from the WWLBA prior to last week’s 50th anniversary match.

County finals

Congratulations to Brian McKehon and Stuart Howe who won the county,over 60s pairs

in Whitland beating the holders John Baggott and Pat Currie, of Tenby, and will now represent

Pembrokeshire in the national finals in Llandrindod. They are seen with county president, Colin Wynn

Well done to Graham Hughes, runner-up in Over 60 singles.

Well done to Joe, Myrddin and Berwyn Dennis, runners-up in the triples,

seen with president Colin Wynn Joe was also runner-up in the U18 singles.

W.W.L.B.A Finals 

Congratulations to Kath Blayney, Ceris Hewlings and Gemma Amos, 
winners of the WWLBA triples. Also well done to Kath and Ceris on 
winning the four-wood pairs and Ceris on winning the four wood singles.

Congratulations to Steph and Gemma Amos, winners of the WWLBA two- wood pairs.

Anniversary game
The sun shone as the ladies of Saundersfoot Bowling Club   celebrated the club’s golden jubilee with an anniversary game  against the Welsh Women’s Bowling Association.President of the WWBA, Carol Booth, of St. Julians, Newport, and   a  team comprising of officers, past presidents and  internationals, and friends, enjoyed a 21-end match against the   hosts, followed by a splendid meal prepared by ladies of the club.The clubhouse rang to the sounds of laughter and chatter and  friendships were made and renewed.To commemorate the special occasion, Saundersfoot captain Angela  Roberts presented Welsh president Carol with a team photograph,  which had been taken before the game and framed by local  photographer Gareth Davies, while Kath Blayney, vice-chairlady,   presented her with a bouquet of flowers.President Carol then replied, wishing the club success for the  year and the future, before making her own presentation of a  commemorative plaque.

The ladies of Saundersfoot Bowling Club are seen with their guests 
from the Welsh Women’s Bowling Association prior to the match.  President of the WWBA, Carol Booth, is seen in the foreground  flanked by club captain Angela Roberts (left) and vice-chairlady  Kath Blayney and hon secretary Ceris Hewlings (right).

Anniversary game

SAUNDERSFOOT 110 BARBARIANS BOWLS ASSOCIATION 117

The last of the specially arranged fixtures to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Saundersfoot Bowling Club took place last week with the visit of the men’s Barbarian Bowls Association. On a thankfully dry and sunny day, the villagers plied their skills  against a team whose members are drawn from not only Wales, but also  England and even beyond as one player actually resides in Paris and plays in selected games whilst visiting family.The Barbarians included several ex-officials of the Welsh Bowling Association, including ‘Mr. Welsh Bowls’ Gareth Humphreys, an international for many years and former Welsh president and men’s team manager. Also present was past member of Saundersfoot, Ritchie Morgan, who had helped arrange the prestigious fixture and who was accompanied by his wife Cynthia, herself an ex-member of the club.The game itself was preceded by a ‘spider’, with players (who had all paid for the privilege) standing all around the green and bowling one wood at the same time to a centrally placed jack. After many  collisions and buffeting, the wood that was nearest won a bottle of 
whisky which had been donated by this year’s Barbarian president, Ray Veysey.The winner was Colin Griffiths, of Carmarthen, and the proceeds went  to the president’s nominated charity to help sufferers of motor  neurone disease.
As for the game itself, this was played as you would expect in the  best of spirits and was followed by a two-course meal that had been  prepared and served by the ladies of the club led by vice-chairlady  Kath Blayney.Captain Don Poole then thanked the Ba Ba’s for their attendance and  gave a short history of the club, before presenting the visiting officials with a gift of a framed photograph of the players that had  been taken before the game by club member Sue McKehon.In reply, president Veysey thanked Saundersfoot for their hospitality  and himself presented gifts to the home officials and the ladies in  the kitchen.
Club chairman Paul Blayney then made a special presentation to an honoured guest of the day, Mr. Tom Osbourne, who is a founder member of the Saundersfoot club, as well as being a life member and trustee.Tom, a past president of the Welsh and county bowling associations,  celebrated his 80th birthday last Sunday and Paul led all present in  singing the traditional ‘Happy Birthday’.So the golden jubilee of the club is nearly at an end and thanks must  go to all those officials and members who have worked so hard over  the past few years to make the arrangements and to the men’s and ladies Welsh Bowling Associations, the men’s and ladies Pembrokeshire County Associations and Barbarians Association for honouring  Saundersfoot with fixtures and helping the club  celebrate a milestone in its history.

CLUB FINALS

Saundersfoot held their club finals last weekend, with male and female members taking to the green to contest 17 competitions.Nev Ruff was the busiest competitor, being involved in no less than  seven finals, winning the men’s singles championship, the over 60s  singles, the over 60s pairs with partner Paul Blayney and the four-
wood pairs with Steve Dick.Steve was also a busy man, contesting six events and being successful  in four, the men’s handicap singles, the two wood singles, the 
Jubilee pairs with Kath Blayney, as well as the four-wood pairs.The ladies club championship was won by Ceris Hewlings for the fifth 
successive year and Ceris also won the two-wood singles and mixed  pairs titles, in the latter, partnering Myrddin Dennis, here too for a fifth straight success.Joe Dennis took two titles, the mixed triples with Angela Roberts and Marion Evans and the men’s triples with Graham Hughes and Paul Blayney.Mike Carr won the men’s rabbits singles, Brian Deeley and Barrie Lee  the men’s two-wood pairs, Sue Roden the ladies handicap singles,Christine Harris the ladies rabbits singles and Steph and Gemma Amos retained the ladies pairs.
Full results were as follows:

MEN’S SECTION

Championship singles: N. Ruff 21 S. Dick 17.
Handicap singles: S. Dick 21 N. Ruff 4.
Two-wood singles: S. Dick 21 J. Dennis 20.
Over 60s singles: N. Ruff 21 G. Hughes 15.
Rabbits singles: M. Carr 21 M. Ashbridge 11.
Four-wood pairs: N. Ruff and S. Dick 32 B. McKehon and N. Hensman 7.
Two-wood pairs: B. Deeley and B. Lee 18 P. Blayney and G. Hughes 8.
Over 60s pairs: N. Ruff and P. Blayney 19 J. Haig and B. McKehon 17.
Triples: G. Hughes, P. Blayney, J. Dennis 18 R. Kennion, N. Ruff, S. 
Dick 12.

LADIES’ SECTION

Championship singles: C. Hewlings 21 S. Amos 10.
Handicap singles: S. Roden 21 A. Roberts 14.
Two-wood singles: C. Hewlings 21 M. Evans 6.
Rabbits singles: C. Harris 21 S. McKehon 12.
Four-wood pairs: S. and G. Amos 26 A. Evans and M. Evans 10.

MIXED COMPETITIONS

Pairs: C. Hewlings and M. Dennis 21 S. and J. Howe 14.
Triples: A. Roberts, M. Evans J. Dennis 14 K. Blayney, P. Blayney, C. 
Hewlings 10.
Jubilee pairs: K. Blayney and S. Dick beat N. Ruff and P. Blayney by 
two sets to one, 7-6, 5-7, 7-0.