Official Rink Opening 23rd April 2022

Official Rink Opening 23rd April 2022

Whilst the rinks have been open for practice, due to competitive games starting this week. On Saturday morning chairman Barry Wicks officially opened the green,  using a set of woods bearing the initials BW. It must be pointed out that these were not his woods but they had belonged to a past bowler of Calne Bowls Club named Bramwell Watson and were over 100 years old. Bramwell managed to win the County Singles title in 1938 and was a member of the county 4’s winners in 1934, as well as winning the Calne Men’s singles 16 times over the period 1921 – 1961. Apparently when he started playing, he and a friend could not afford to buy a set of woods each so they bought this set of woods between them and shared them! Bramwell’s wife was Rose Watson and whilst he was bowling she did all the catering for the club. Their daughter Pauline played for the club and was a founding member of the Calne Ladies’ Club.  Pauline also proved to be a good bowler and won several club competitions as well as County competitions, becoming County 2 wood singles winner in 1998 and eventually Wiltshire Ladies’ President in 2000.

The woods bowled very well on Saturday, although much lighter than modern bowls as they are of course made of wood, and Barry was able to get near the jack with his first wood.

Below are  2 photos of Bramwell’s honours, and his woods, along with a picture of Pauline Watson.  Saturday’s photo’s follow.

W.B.A. 1934
Rink Championship
Winners L to R
H. Angell, J. Wiltshire,R. Angell, B. Watson (capt)
W.B.A. 1938
Singles Winner
B.Watson (Calne BC)
Bramwell Watson’s woods
Pauline Watson