CGBC News 2022

CGBC Christmas Lunch 11th December 2022

The Club is holding its annual awards ceremony and Christmas Lunch at Sutton Green Golf club on Sunday 11th December 2022. Don't forget to book your places with Shirley. All members and their partners are very welcome.

CGBC v Merrow 25th September 2022

This was the last match of the season for both clubs, and a thoroughly well enjoyed afternoon it was. The afternoon’s play was followed by tea provided by The Keep, the pub just across the road.....this took the form of a sit-down, go help yourself buffet comprising sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiche, and cakes – and a hot cup of tea. A delicious end to the afternoon and a very generous gesture by Jane and Brian. Thanks were expressed to them and a bouquet was presented to Jane.

And the afternoon’s play.....we won the match by 13 shots overall. Teams and scores as follows:

• Jonathan, Sue, Lynn/Katya 9 – 11

• Rob, Paul C, Tim 18 – 13

• Lawrie, Nicky, Brian M 20 – 10

• Peter/Patrick, Pearl, Ann 19 – 19

So the overall score was 66 – 53 in our favour.

Jonathan’s team had an incredibly tight match, with the first 15 ends all decided by 1 shot and the score on 7 – 8 before Merrow just managed to get ahead in the final few ends. Rob’s team trailed in the first half before turning things around; Lawrie’s held the lead all through their match. Peter’s team started with an extraordinary 8 on the first end (out of a maximum possible 9) but – with Peter having damaged his wrist – lost the next few ends so that the early lead was wiped out. Peter handed over to me and we managed to draw the match.

And so we finished the season with a win, the icing on the cake of a happy and friendly match played against local rivals with both clubs enjoying the occasion.

Best wishes Patrick

CGBC v Walton Upon Thames BC Wednesday 21st September 2022

We had the honour of playing an away match at Walton upon Thames this afternoon in their centenary year. A new fixture and one I hope will endure.

The green is very well kept and the opposing team were skilled, but…. we were more skilled, just.

In the late summer sunshine, we had 4 triples and we won on two and lost on two. A win by 4 is still a win though.

Results rink wise were as follows (Skip, Lead and 2)

1. Paul P. Mary F and Lynn S 22 - 14

2. Jonathan, Brian and Peter 11 - 14

3. Lawrie, Tim and Ann 11 - 19

4. John R, Pearl and David 19 - 12

At the halfway stage things were looking quite dire but a streak of 4 huge ends for Paul’s team saw them leap from 8 - 14 down to 22 - 14. A miraculous 14 points in 4 ends!

We enjoyed a drink and biscuits at the end in front of the very impressive clubhouse.

My thanks to Brian Matthews and David Turnbull who stood in at the last minute and played splendidly.

Walton gave us a lovely memento of their centenary which was in the form of a glass Club insignia on a stand. I will leave it in the clubhouse.

Jonathan

CGBC on Channel 4 in 2023

A few days ago Colin and I were approached by the makers of the Channel 4 programme Location, Location, Location to see if we would help them in making the intro to their latest programme about finding houses in the Guildford area. It was quite hush hush as they didn't want lots of people chatting near the filming as it would upset their sound recording so we didnt tell a soul. On Wednesday morning Colin and I gave them some brief tutoring on delivering a bowl and they did their piece to camera doing several takes. Both Phil Spencer and Kirsty Alsopp were a delight, despite Kirsty having a broke toe and Phil a sprained ankle. Goodness knows what they had been getting up to! Here are some photos of the goings on. I hope it will be shown later next year. Watch this space.

Jonathan

CGBC v Hawley BC Sunday 18th September 2022

Three weeks ago we won handsomely at Hawley.....today they turned the tables on us when we played them at home. This is a new fixture in the season’s programme, and both clubs are counting it a success. We played on an intermittently sunny and cloudy day, warm when the sun was out, a bit chilly when the sun had retreated. Teams and scores as follows:

• Paul P, Ann, Tim 21 – 14

• Colin, Pearl, Sima 5 – 21

• Lawrie, Vivien, Joan 16 – 15

• Jonathan, Patrick, Jackie 15 – 19

Overall a loss by 57 – 69. Thanks to Pearl, Ann, and Vivien for providing, at short notice, a delicious and much appreciated tea.

Patrick

CGBC Representatives at Royal Proclamation - Sunday 11th September 2022

A small group of CGBC Committee members were invited by the Mayor of Guildford, Dennis Booth to witness the reading of the Royal Proclamation for King Charles III at 3pm on Sunday 11th September. This is an ancient tradition going back centuries and is the official announcement of the KIng's accession to the Throne in succession to the glorious reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Shirley and Brian West, Jonathan and Sally Readings, Viv Smith and Ann Lewis were on hand for the proclamation made to the people of Guildford.

I have attached some photos of the proceedings for those who were playing the match against Victory Park at the same time.

CGBC v Victory Park Addlestone Sunday 11th September 2022

Today I had the privilege of captaining the Castle Green team against the team from Victory Park Addlestone. It was so pleasing to welcome our visitors who just a few years previously were on the brink of closure, and now have turned the club around with a growing membership. Following yesterday’s victory at Holloway Hill we managed another victory today. It was a close game on two of the three rinks.

Scores as follows:

• Lawrie, Pearl, David 18 – 8

• Paul P, Patrick, Monica 14 – 17

• John, Tim, Sima 16 – 15

So, overall, a victory by 48 – 40.

By agreement of both clubs, we started with a brief commemoration of HM Queen Elizabeth II, followed by a minute’s shared silence, and finally a chorus of God Save the King. The game was played on a warm and sunny afternoon, a very welcome change from the heavy rainfall of earlier in the week. It was good to see Margaret at the club today after such a long time recovering from her operation earlier in the year, and Margaret together with Brian Townsend provided lovely tea.

John

CGBC v Holloway Hill (away) Saturday 10th September 2022

We don’t often emerge victorious from matches with Holloway Hill, but we managed it today, with almost a clean sweep......winning on three rinks and drawing on the fourth. Scores as follows:

• Lawrie, Patrick, Ann 18 – 18

• Jill, Paul P, Sima 15 – 10

• Shirley, Vivien, Paul C 23 – 12

• Brian W, John, Tim 18 – 14

So, overall a victory by 74 – 54.

By agreement of both clubs we started with a brief commemoration of HM Queen Elizabeth II, followed by a minute’s shared silence, and finally a chorus of God Save the King. Thereafter, Holloway Hill were generous hosts, for the second time this season – our scheduled home match having been disrupted by the flooding of the clubhouse. This was played on a warm and sunny afternoon, a very welcome change from the heavy rainfall of the preceding days.

Patrick

CGBC Finals Day Sunday 28th August 2022

On a beautiful sunny day we held all the Internal Competition finals (except the Bird 2 wood and Champion of Champions).

Starting at 10:30 first up were the Veterans on Rink 2, West Trophy on Rink 3 and the Legge Handicap on Rink 4.

The Veteran players (arent we all?) were Sue Secrett v Jonathan Readings. Sue started strongly and had a 4 on the second end, but Jonathan held his nerve and ended up the winner 22-13 after 21 ends.

The West was contested by Anne Lewis and Penny Grimwood, who was a first time finalist. A close contest ensued which Penny won 21 - 12 in the end. Penny cannot now enter the West as its a trophy you can only enter if you haven't won any previous finals.

The Legge Handicap was won by... you guessed it, Rob Williams who overcame fierce competition from Shirley West to win 21 - 10. This is the 5th time Rob has won this Trophy and is a testament to the quality and longevity of his play.

A sunny lunch was taken by many outside while topping up their tan at the end of a hot summer.

The early afternoon play commenced with Ladies Championship final, Mens Championship final and the Dendy Cup final.

The Ladies final on Rink 2 was between Shirley West and Viv Smith with Viv pulling away from Shirley with some fine bowling on length and line.

The Mens final was between Jonathan Readings and John Reeves so it was a battle of the Presidents! Jonathan found the line and length a bit quicker than John and went into an early lead that never lost, winning by 21 - 7.

The Dendy final involved Sue Secrett again against Colin Summerhayes. Colin loves rink 4 and it showed, with him winning by 19 - 8 over 18 ends.

A magnificent tea was provided by Shirley's team of helpers in the clubhouse with many splendid cakes on offer. (Your correspondent snaffled a few lovely slices before realising that he had to play again later!)

Finally at 4pm the Ron Dale Pairs Trophy shield final was held on Rink 4 in the afternoon sunshine. Ann Lewis was teamed with Tim Sampson and they played Jonathan Readings and Pearl Warner. Jonathan and Pearl won after a hotly contested match 19 - 13.

A wonderful day's bowling for all the finalists. Congratulations to all the winners and commiserations to those runners up. It is a great achievement to get to one final in ones playing career and several of the above mentioned players have made it to many finals.

The results summary:

The West Trophy: Winner Penny, Runner Up Ann.

The Whitney Veterans Shield: Winner Jonathan, Runner Up Sue

The Legge Handicap: Winner Rob, Runner Up Shirley

The Dendy 3 Woods: Winner Colin, Runner Up Sue

The Ron Dale Pairs Shield: Winners Jonathan & Pearl, Runners Up Ann & Tim

The John Frith Mens Championship Cup: Winner Jonathan,Runner Up John.

The Mary Reeves Ladies Championship: Winner Vivien, Runner Up Shirley.

Jonathan

Update - Monday 29th August

Today Vivien (new Ladies Champion) and Jonathan (new Mens Champion) played the Club Championship.

A tight contest but Vivien had the edge and won. This is her 4th triumph as Club Champion; congratulations to her.

The only match left is the Bird Cup which will be played on Wednesday at 6pm with Colin officiating.

Good luck to both of them.

Update - Wednesday 31st August

Shirley won the Bird Trophy with a score of 15 shots to Viv's 11. Well done Shirley - it's the 6^th time you've won this. It's getting to be a habit!! This was a fine game, with some very tight heads and very close scoring: 11 points each at end 16, with Shirley than winning the last 4 ends, one point at a time.

Lawrie

CGBC v Pippbrook Home Sunday 7th August 2022

On a beautiful sunny day on Sunday we won at home on one rink but unfortunately lost on the other two. Our opponents were in fine form. Results:

Rink 2: Jonathan (skip), Patrick, Brian M: 12; PB 25.

Rink 3: Viv (skip), Jackie, David T: 11; PB 21

Rink 4: Colin (skip), Nicky, Monica: 18; PB 10.

Totals: CGBC 41: PB 56.

Ann and Pearl and Tim provided a delicious tea, complete with some wonderful dark cherries.

A good time was had by all, despite some disappointment on our losing rinks.

It was great to see new bowler Brian doing so well.

All the best

Colin

CGBC v Ewhurst Away Saturday 6th August 2022

The last time we beat Ewhurst was in 2015, so victory today is very sweet.....and all the more so for being hard won. We played on a hot and sunny afternoon, on a green that was very difficult because – being hard and dry – it was running very fast and it was a job to jeep the woods out of the ditch. But, win we did and in nail-biting style. See the scores below:

• Patrick, Pearl, Tim 15 – 15

• Peter, Ann, Nicky 17 – 16

• Shirley, Lynn, David T 17 – 18

• Brian W, Sue, Monica 22 – 16

So overall a victory by 71 – 65, 6 shots – the same margin as on Brian’s rink with the other three level.

Ewhurst were generous hosts, as ever, providing tea and biscuits and at the end a nice cold beer.

Patrick

CGBC v Bourne Away Saturday 30th July 2022

We were ready for three triples on Saturday at Bourne, but our opponents suffered two late withdrawals due to illness and we were asked to ‘lend’ them one player. Consequently, we played 3 3 2. Thanks go to Tim for readily agreeing to play for our opponents. We won on two rinks but lost overall, scores as follows:

• Lynn, Pearl, Brian T 16 – 14

• Jill, Ann, Graham 7 – 15

• Peter, Sima 20 – 17

So overall. a loss by 3 shots, 43 – 46. Nevertheless, a thoroughly well enjoyed afternoon with excellent company.

Patrick

CGBC v Worthing Home Sunday 24th July 2022

On a pleasantly warm and sunny afternoon yesterday we enjoyed success against Worthing. We were four triples, with each side winning on two rinks but the overall score going our way. Team scores as follows:

• Jonathan, Tim, Nicky 14 – 15

• Lawrie, Paul C, Sima 11 – 19

• Peter, Sue, Pearl 21 – 13

• Patrick, Lynn, Jackie 24 – 12

So, overall a victory by 70 – 59. We played straight through the 18 ends and then enjoyed tea and biscuits and cake provided by Rob and Pat, followed by a raffle – which included a much sought-after marrow, won by Jackie.....

Patrick

CGBC President's Evening 23rd July 2022

The weather stayed warm and dry for us all on Saturday evening. CGBC members enjoyed a series of individual bowling challenges on the green to collect points over 8 stages of targets, 'jack in the castle', the points board and the dreaded bell. The overall winner was Shirley, showing her many years of experience once again, with a splendid score of 29. Well done Shirley! A spider was bowled at the end and was won by Dennis Booth, the Mayor.

The youngest guest, 3 year old Leila Lopatovska from Ukraine, also scored 29 and received a small prize. Thanks to all the members who made her, and her Granny Katya, so welcome. Katya is going to join the club until the end of the season as she loves the game so much.

Many thanks to Lawrie for organising the bowling competition.

We were honoured by the presence of the Mayor, Dennis Booth and his wife Mary, together with Keith and Esther from our sponsor Chapters Financial as well as retired head gardener David Black and his wife. It was also great to see Margaret Neville who has been suffering with ill health for a while. We hope to see her on the green next season.

Guests and members tucked into a cold buffet feast prepared by the catering team led by Shirley and Viv which was utterly delicious. And finally I was presented with a most beautiful and delicious Presidential cake by Shirley.

The raffle had a host of wonderful prizes and made a good profit towards this year's President's Charity which will be the North Guildford Food Bank. It may come as surprise to many to know that Guildford even needs a food bank, but the one in North Guildford is shockingly busy and serves a wide area of Guildford helping those who can't afford to buy decent food at affordable prices. If you want to know more use this link - http://northguildfordfoodbank.co.uk/food-donations/

Jonathan

CGBC v Brockham Away Saturday 2nd July 2022

On a sunny afternoon at Brockham we had a very warm welcome followed by a lovely tea .

We had two good wins and lost on the other two rinks but all rinks played in such good spirits

But as you can see two lucky people won the raffle 😄

We lost over all by 29 shots

Shirley West .

CGBC v Hindhead Away Saturday 25th June 2022

We played in lovely sunshine (and barely evident raindrops) this afternoon at Hindhead.

As per the last time we were at Hindhead, the bowls was accompanied by deafening PA noise from the school fete next door which clearly distracted some of of our players. I must add that Hindhead’s green is pretty difficult to fathom at times as well.

The overall result was quite humbling - 28 to 77.

Playing three triples, we started without John Reeves due to an oversight by me, but he soon got caught up in the fun of being outgunned by some very good players.

Rink results were:

Rink 3 Paul, Lawrie and Sima - 7 - 26

Rink 5 Jonathan, Viv and Tim - 17 - 12

Rink 6 John, Brian and Pearl - 4 - 39

Sometimes you just don't get the rub of the green.

I want to thank everyone who played today as we all did our best on the day. A special thanks to John who must have driven like Fangio to get to Hindhead in about 25 minutes.

Jonathan

CGBC v Burpham Wednesday 22nd June 2022

On a beautiful sunny and very warm Summer's afternoon, we played against Burpham at home. We played 4 triples in great humour and friendship. On the 10th end we adjourned for tea and cake which was provided by David Turnbull and Pam. There were speeches and a raffle was held.

The scores were a trifle erratic but unfortunately Burpham did win the match,.

The scores are as follows :-

Rink 1 - Ann, Monica and Pearl CGBC 7 - Burpham 23

Rink 2 - Shirley, Jackie and Sima CGBC 15 - Burpham 12

Rink 3 - Brian, David and Tim CGBC - 19 Burpham 13

Rink 4 - Sue, Joan and Nicky CGBC - 16 Burpham 28

Burpham won the match overall 76 - 57 - 19.

Thanks again to David and Pam for providing the refreshments.

My thanks also to the ladies and gentleman who played for me today in the match.

Sue

CGBC - Captain v President Sunday June 19th 2022

The annual Captain v Presidents game took place in lovely weather, cooler than the previous week (thank goodness).

24 members signed up which meant we played four rinks of triples.

This was a close-run thing resulting in an overall win by the Presidents teams. The afternoon was rounded off by a magnificent tea and cakes provided by the Ladies, thank you too all who made it such a lovely afternoon.

Thank you all for turning out, and a big thank you to our ladies for the tea.

John (on behalf of the competitions committee)

CGBC v Victory Park Saturday June 18th 2022

This was scheduled to be three triples but VP could manage only two. After the blazing hot weather on Thursday and Friday we expected another scorcher on Saturday. However, it was cloudy with the threat of rain and quite chilly. Equally disappointing was the result as we managed to lose, overall by just 2 shots. Paul and his team started slowly, then turned things around with two 7 shot victories with long jacks, and followed this by taking their foot off the pedal, putting up shorter jacks. My team started well but then conceded 7 shots to a long jack and never managed to recover. Teams and scores as follows:

• Paul P, Brian T, Sima 22 – 16

• Patrick, Sue, Pearl 12 – 20

Victory Park have been a club in decline in recent years, but there are now strenuous efforts underway to turn the club around. They have several new members, and commercial sponsors, one of whom – a local baker - provided a delicious cream tea for us. This was a friendly and hospitable afternoon with traditional tea and raffle.

Patrick

CGBC v Merrow Wednesday June 15th 2022

During the evening of 15th June, Castle Green played Merrow away in a beautiful summer evening.

A fantastic game was had where we won. The overall score was 51 to Castle Green and 42 to Merrow giving us a plus score of 9.

Teams were as follows:

Lawrie, Jenny and Sima : 18-13

John, Sue and Paul C: 16-19

Brian W, David and Pearl: 17-10.

Drinks were offered from the bar afterwards.

Sue

CGBC v Stoke Park (The Millennium Trophy) June 12th 2022

We’ve held the trophy since 2017, but today, on the very last end of the match, it was prised from our grasp by a jubilant Stoke Park team. With the matches on three rinks complete, we were 1 shot down......could Brian and his team produce a winning end, having gone into their last end with their score tied on 15 – 15? Sadly, they conceded 3 shots and we ended up losing overall by 4 shots. Scores as follows:

• Brian W, Paul P, Sima 15 – 18

• Colin, Lawrie, Patrick 12 – 21

• John R, Jill, Jackie 13 – 16

• Rob, Vivien, Tim 21 – 10

Overall, a loss by 61 – 65.

This was a lovely warm afternoon with the match played in a good and friendly spirit and enjoyed by all. Stoke Park fielded some very new inexperienced players, including one who had signed up on Friday! – so all credit to them!

Pam and Sima provided a lovely tea, including scones with strawberry jam and cream. Shirley managed the raffle and ex-President John presented the trophy to the Stoke Park captain, Alfie.

Patrick

CGBC v Westfield Sat 28th May 2022

On a mostly warm and sunny afternoon we lost to Westfield overall and on two rinks out of three. Scores as follows:

• Paul P, Nicky, Sima 13 – 19

• Brian W, Sue, Tim 18 – 11

• Shirley, Brian T, Patrick 9 – 29

Tea and biscuits were provided at the break and a drink from the bar at match-end. The afternoon opened with a spider, this replacing the traditional raffle.

Patrick

CGBC v Ewhurst 1st May

This was reduced to three triples as Ewhurst were unable to make up the full four. It was a grey, overcast, chilly afternoon with some drizzle.....but despite this, enthusiasm for our first match of the new season was high. Indeed the six players who had signed up for the match but did not make the selection played their own match on rink 1. Against Ewhurst we lost a close-fought match, with overall score of 46 – 53. Team scores as follows:

• Peter, Patrick, Mary 12 – 12 (rink 2)

• Brian W, Vivien, Pearl 14 – 21 (rink 3)

• Lawrie, Paul C, Lynn 20 – 20 (rink 4)

So, with the lead changing hands on all three rinks over the course of the afternoon, we ended up with two Draws and one Loss.

Thanks to Jonathan and Tim for providing tea and biscuits.

Patrick

2022 season should start in the last week in April.

The GBC gardeners and green keepers, headed by the newly appointed Sam, are busy getting the green ready for the 2022 season.

We are aiming to make Castle Green Bowls Club the club of choice for Guildfordians. Our green does not allow us to host major events as its just not big enough to do so, but we make up for that in providing a warm welcome to anyone interested in this great game.

Free coaching on Monday evenings is a major part of bringing in new players and we are always looking families who might like to play together. We are even equipped for the youngest bowlers who can practice on the end practice rink at the end of the rink. We will have junior bowls available in the coming season.