Almost Finished

Message from Bradenham Bowls Club

The season has now concluded, and it has been hectic throughout with injuries and sickness but for the most part enjoyable. All teams have competed well in their individual competitions.

In the leagues we subscribed to this season each team finished as follows: Dereham League, finished 3rd out of nine teams. Mid Norfolk League we finished 5th out of six teams. Age Concern League two teams were entered Bradenham ‘A’ unfortunately finished bottom, Bradenham ‘B’ finished as Champions of their sector who went on to play against three other sector champions. Bradenham ‘B’ ended up runners up losing by 2 points. Ashill Triples, we finished 7th out of eight teams entered. In addition, in the Mid Norfolk League Cup we got through to the final but were beaten by the “Angel” Swanton Morley. In the Ashby Shield, played over 2 legs we lost by 9 points against Watton who retain the Shield for another year. Overall, an improved season on previous years so well done to all members for flying the flag of Bradenham.

The inter Club Competition was won by Phil Hayward beating Roly Findlay and on our Finals Day Sunday 17th September in addition to the Club Competition Cup, other activities were held after a delay due to rain, we started with the Spider, where a Cot (Jack Ball) is placed in the middle of the green and each club member has one wood and with one foot on the green the other in the ditch, bowls their wood all at the same time. The winner is the owner of the wood nearest to the Cot who wins a cash prize. A mini roll up of 2 games of 8 ends in total, plus a 3rd/4th playoff for the Club Competition to complete the season. All ending by having some well-earned refreshments in the Pavilion, a fantastic feast supplied by the members. A raffle was held to raise funds for the club along with “Guess the number of Buttons in the Jar”, kindly provided by Pauline Middleton (incidentally there was 1076 buttons in the jar so check your shirts and trousers), the winner with the closest guess was Ralph Kingsly with 999. Other presentations were the Roy MacDonald-Jackson Shield going to Phil Hayward, the winner of the Spider and the mini rollup both going to Ralph Kingsley. The long-awaited draw of the 50/50 board was made with the winners being Phil Hayward & Peter Clements.

Our attention now turns to the forthcoming Annual General Meeting which will be held in the Pavilion on Thursday 5th October 7.00 for 7.30pm. where a review of the year will be held along with the election and appointment of numerous positions of office. Social functions will be held during the winter months to maintain contact with the members during the closed season plus our very popular Christmas Bingo being held in the Village Hall on Friday 1st December 7.00 for 7.30pm, everyone is welcome as this is a well-attended and loved social event.

A massive thanks must go to team captains and committee members for all their hard work for another successful season.

After 79 editions of writing for the Mardle, eight years running the Website and the inter Club competition I have decided to step down. It has been a very enjoyable experience but like all good things, they come to an end and for me I felt this was the right time. I wish whoever takes over all the very best.

Richard Woolf