Author: Stuart

On Sunday we held the last of our Open Days for the year (see separate postings).

Monday in the North Wilts Mixed League found us at home to Bradford-on-Avon, unfortunately we lost 35-64 (0-10pts). In the Ladies 2nd round of the Bowls Wiltshire National Triples competition, the ladies lost by 1 shot to Wroughton 16-17

On Tuesday in the Men’s White Horse League, Calne ‘A’ were away to Corsham ‘E’ amd won 17-12, however Calne ‘B’ lost at home to BOAL’s Team (Bradford-on-Avon). 11-21

Our Ladies were away to Trowbridge Westbourne on Tuesday, playing in the Nor West League, It was not the result Calne ladies were hoping for and lost 20-43. It was played in good spirit, It became quite cold as the evening went on with a very cold wind.

Wednesday has a Australian Pairs Competition game in the evening.

Thursday had the MWTML ‘A’ team at home to Blue Circle and they won 64-38 (10-0 pts), whilst the ‘B’ team was away to Warminster ‘B’ and also won 50-45 (8 – 2 pts)

On Thursday our ladies were away to Avon, playing in the B/W league they came second with the score 19-45. The ladies  were very cold as the wind was very chilly, at least it did not rain.

On Saturday in the morning David Johns is playing in the B.E. National Champion of Champions against Paul Beazer start time 12 noon. In the afternoon there is a friendly away to Cirencester, start time 2-30pm.

During the week there are a number of club competitions taking place.

Sunday was a very successful day and was very busy, many thanks to all the members who made it such a success and a big thank you all those who came up and found out what a great game bowls is, see separate posting for photos.

If you couldn’t make our Open Days, we are still keen to encourage people to try the game, to show your interest email us by using email/telephone number on the contact page and we will get in touch, or you can pop in on a Tuesday evening when we hold club night from 6pm to 8pm  and there will always be somebody available to talk to you.

Bowls England are holding a national big weekend on the 28th/29th May, as they did last year. However our experience from last years event does not warrant the club being open both days, in addition to this due to the late notification from B.E. we had already booked games for both days, however if you are interested in bowls please contact us.

Here are a selection of views of our very successful Open Days this year

The format will be an open mixed Triples, to clarify – 3 woods with at least 1 lady and 1 gent in each team.

Gates open at 9am for a 9-20am start, finishing at approximately 6pm.

Entry fee is £30 per team (£10 per player), multiple entries from all clubs allowed and includes :

1). Over £400 in prize money ( subject to maximum entries).

2). Full days bowling, all teams progress to the afternoon session, each team will play a minimum of            6 games.

2). Spider competition.

3). Pre- drawn raffle, teams are asked to bring a raffle prize.

4). Bar open from 10am

5). BBQ Lunch

6). Unlimited tea and coffee throughout the day.

Dress code – sports shirts, all types & colours welcome. Grey trousers/skirts/ shorts – B.E. approved.

For further  information or an entry form(s). Please contact the Club Secretary

Les Fish on : 07568 594763 or Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Alternatively you can send an Email from the website using the link in the contact section

We look forward to welcoming past contestants and some new friends as well.

The week started with a friendly at home to Hayden Wick, following a damp few hours Calne won 3 of the 5 rinks but lost overall be 17. The game finished with sandwiches and cake and a lot of banter. With thanks to Hayden Wick for a very enjoyable afternoon.

On Monday in the North Wilts mixed league, we were away to Chippenham Town and won on all rinks scoring 59-32 (10-0pts), on the same day the ladies were playing away to Stratton Churchway in the 3rd round of the National Fours and came away winners 16 – 15, they now play L Young (Highworth)/R Corke (Wilton) away, in the last 8 on the Saturday 21st May, below is a picture of the winning team.Well done Ladies.

Tuesday had all 3 mens teams playing in the White Horse league, Calne A were at home to Corsham C in Div 2 and lost 7-20. In Div. 5 Calne B were away to Devizes F and won 18-14, whilst Calne C had a good win 19-11 at home to Corsham C.

Unfortunately due to the weather Club night was cancelled, however the next round of the Bowls England Senior singles took place, with Keith Hutchens  from Chippenham Park taking on Barry Wicks, unfortunately after a very close game Barry lost 19-23. We wish Keith all the best in the next round.

Wednesday evening our ladies played in awful weather conditions against Chippenham Park in The Nor West League both teams won and the score to Calne was 52-26. Well  done ladies despite the weather.

On Thursday the ladies were meant to be at home to Chippenham Town in the B.W Triples league, unfortunately it had to be cancelled. In the Mid Wilts Mixed Triples league Calne A were away to Warminster A and won 57-37 (10-0pts) whilst the B team were at home to Devizes B and unfortunately lost 41-45 (2-8pts).

On Friday Yvonne led our Ladies Triples team of Sylvia, Sheila and herself out onto the green at Calne for a game in the first round of the National Ladies Triples competition, they are up against North Wilts and managed a very creditable win 22-11, they now move on to the 2nd round on Monday away to either Chippenham Town or Wroughton. Whilst the men are away to Malmesbury in the Bowls Wiltshire National Fours.

On Saturday David Johns is away at Corsham in the 1st Round of the Bowls Wiltshire National 2 wood competition, start time 1pm.The Ladies were away to Amesbury in the National Ladies Four’s, unfortunately they lost but had a great day. Well done, next year becons.

Competit

ions are taking place all week, both Internal and External.

On Monday in the North Wilts Mixed League we played Blue Circle at home, unfortunately it was not our day and we lost all 3 rinks 35 – 66.

Tuesday brought 2 games in the Men’s White Horse League, the ‘A’ team in division 2 were away to Spencer Melksham E and lost again by 1 shot 14-13, the ‘C’ team in division 5 were away to Warminster ‘C’ and managed a very good win 17-13.

In the evening in the B.E. Senior pairs competition Martin Summers and Hugh Burchell travelled to Marlborough to play Dave Lewis/partner and won 20-4, they now go on to the 1st round and are playing John Fitzpatrick and his partner from Chippenham Town – we wish them all the best and well done.

The evening brings club night s tart time 6-00pm.

The ladies friendly on Wednesday against North Wilts Bowls Club was postponed due to the rain, however the gardens would of been pleased with the rain.

On Thursday in the Mid Wilts Mixed triples league the ‘A’ team had a very good win 68-35 (10-0pts) at home to Devizes ‘A’ and the ‘B’ team won 57-46 (8-2pts) away to Corsham.

Friday was  the first foray by the men into the B.E. National Top Club competition against Chippenham Park at Calne, unfortunately Calne lost 4-1, but it was a very enjoyable evening and finished with food and drink!!! Pictures will follow.

On the same day, led my Yvonne our ladies took there first step in the Ladies National fours at North Wilts and won 19-12, they now away to Stratton Churchway on Monday in round 3, well done.

On Saturday from 10am to 3pm it was the clubs first Open Day, it was well attended, see separate post for details

Although it’s the Bank Holiday our talented pair, Yvonne and Dave,  played in the Bowls England preliminary round of the  Wiltshire section of the mixed pairs at Calne tonight, their challengers were Chippenham Park- Keith Hitchens/Beccy Gale. It was a cool evening but both sides were well supported with over 20 people watching, some great bowling and with the match standing at 15-15 on the 17th end, the last end proved exciting with Keith and Beccy edging it by 1 shot to win 16-15, we wish the Chippenham Park duo all the best in the next round and now look forward to next year.

On Tuesday with all 3 teams in the Men’s White Horse league in action. Team ‘A’ were away to Spencer Melksham ‘C’ and although they were losing 2-18, came back to lose by only 17-18. Both the other teams were at home, the  ‘B’ team won 33-4 against Corsham ‘B’ and the ‘C’ team drew 14-14 against Devizes ‘E’. In the evening the Ladies Nor-West league team play there an away game at Devizes (Purple team), start time 6-15pm.

On Tuesday the Ladies were away to Devizes (Purple Team) in The Nor West League, This was the first game in the league. It was a very good game nip and tuck until the last few ends when Calne ladies lost 35-30. The ladies enjoyed the game.

In the evening it is Club night, let’s hope it a little warmer than last week.

On Wednesday evening our ladies were away to Corsham in the Nor West League, Our ladies came out on top by a good win Calne 36-Corsham 29. Well done to our ladies. This gives us 4 points in the league.

The M.W.M.T.L. continued on Thursday with the ‘B’ team winning at home to Trowbridge West Falcons 43 – 40 (7-3 pts), whilst the  ‘A’ team were away to Broughton Gifford and managed to win 61 – 42 (9-1 pts).

On Friday evening our ladies were away to Devizes (Purple) This was the first game in the B/W Triples league. It was a cold evening and Calne were defeated 26-58. However the ladies enjoyed the game, and played in great spirit.

Coaching on Saturday 10am to 12noon.

The week ended with a home Friendly on Saturday against Malmesbury, the weather was fine with a slight breeze and it was a great game with lots of friendly banter – the final result really did not matter but at 75-75 it was a fair result all round. The afternoon finished with a very nice tea with home made cakes, sausage rolls and plenty of sandwiches.

With the official rink opening behind us the competitive bowls start.

The first game was on Sunday 24th and was a mixed 4 rink friendly away to Tetbury starting at 2-30pm. We had a warm welcome from Tetbury bowlers. The weather was good to us with plenty of sunshine, a good time was had by everyone, even though we came 2nd with the scores 45-78. The green played well and it was followed by tea and biscuits.

On Monday Calne were away to Trowbridge Town in the North Wilts Mixed League and managed to win 55-42 (2-1 rinks), 8 – 2 pts

On Tuesday in the Men’s White Horse League Team ‘A’ were at home to Spencer Melksham A in division 2 and lost 15-20, in division 5 both the ‘B’ and the ‘C’ teams were away at Warminster- the ‘B’ team lost 13-17 to Warminster ‘C’ and the ‘C’ team lost 19-20 to Warminster Wolves. Not a good day!

Tuesday was the first club night of the season and was well attended.

The Ladies were meant to start their season in the Nor-West league with a home game against Broughton Gifford, start time 6pm. Unfortunately this game had to be postponed due to a fire at Hills Waste Disposal site which deposited ash on the rink.

It was the first games in the MWMTL, the ‘A’ team, having been promoted to Division 1 last year were at home to Spencer Melksham Lions and won 56-40 (7-3pts).Whilst the ‘B’ team in Division 2 were away to Spencer Melksham Tigers and also managed to win 48-42 (6-4pts). Good start to the season for both teams. This was the first time that Calne played a lady, Yvonne our Ladies Captain had a good game and helped the ‘A’ to a good win.

On Friday our Chairman Barry travelled to Ramsbury &Aldbourne B.C. to take on Robert Black in the preliminary round of the B.E. Men’s Senior singles (over 55’s) and ran out winner 21-5, so he now moves on to the 1st round and is at home to Keith Hitchens, Chippenham Park. Good luck Barry.

On Friday the draw for Club competitions was made in the morning, information will be sent entrants shortly, the entries will also appear on the website shortly.

On Saturday there is a 2 hour coaching session starting 10am for club members.

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.