IT was the start of special year for Ashcombe Park Bowling Club, who celebrate 100 years of bowling in Ashcombe Park.

The Mayor, Cllr Judd opened the green by bowling the first wood in the president’s day match against the captain’s team. The result was a win for the president by 10 shots. The president also won the very first game, 100 years ago, by the larger margin of 46 shots, the teams were then captained by Cllr E S Stadling (for the president) and Cllr G W H Pearse (captain).

The ‘Ashcombians’ opened their centenary season with a win and a defeat. In their first match against Congresbury at home, they lost by 25 shots (96-121), winning on two of the six rinks. The following day, also at home, they recorded a seven shot victory against Burnham-on-Sea.

Ashcombe Park 108, Burnham 101: T Millward, B Alden, J Price, B Hadley 21-15; G Mills, R Powell, B Underhay, E Roberts 8-26; D Stanton, R Kibble, J Main, J Whitlow 19-12; S Easterby, A Freke, R Tasker, D A Williams 22-15; G Tucker, M Bass, P Sheppard, J Creasey 15-19; M Adams, E Booth, A Little, B Webber 23-14.

THE men of St Andrews Bowling Club opened their outdoor season on a bright April afternoon.

After raising the club flag, Cllr Ian Parker bowled the first wood. Members of the club and their guests then competed in a presidents v captains match. The afternoon was rounded off with a two-course meal followed by speeches.

President’s 52, Captain’s 63 (president’s team first ): M Goddard, J Ling, B Reeves, Mrs M Favis 19-19; PG Berry, R Reed, Mrs J Ware, G Wride; P O’Connor, P Smart, Mrs B Goddard, D Favis 12-11; M Cordwell, R Brereton, Mrs M. Wride, D Nutt; B Rogers, A Cooper, T Bell, RJ Warren 14-14; R Smith, M Berry, R Dunstone, B May; A Lay, F Mudge, A Horsburgh, A Ware 7-19; D Price, NR Lay, A MacNab, T Thomas.

The day after, the ladies’ club opened their outdoor season, enjoying equally brilliant weather. This year marks the ladies’ 25th anniversary year. President Meg Favis hosted the afternoon and welcomed the Somerset ladies’ county president Gill Price along with members and guests from local clubs and from the men’s club.

After the county president bowled the first wood, the afternoon continued with a spider event which was won by Carolina Venn.

A fun bowls game followed which resulted in wins for Meg Favis and Gordon Wride. An excellent salad meal was served by members of the men’s club to complete the afternoon.

VICTORIA opened their season in fine weather when the president challenged the captain for the first game of the season.

The result was similar to last year with the captain’s team winning by 21 shots.

After the game, some 80 members sat down to a sumptuous meal supplied by the ladies. Speeches were given by the president Dave Williams and the captain, Derek Jones, in which they both said that it was important for the players to enjoy themselves this season.

This year, the club is pleased to be yet again sponsored by local accountants, Four Fifty Partnership and by St Austell Breweries.

WINSCOMBE Bowling Club’s season got underway when Janet Waymouth (on behalf of the president’s wife) bowled the first wood.

Unfortunately both the president and club captain were unable to attend, so vice-president Lew Collier and vice-captain Ken Whatling stepped up for the traditional match between members representing the president and captain.

As Winscombe is now a mixed club, both the ladies and the men were represented on the green for the first time. It was a lovely afternoon and the green played well with the president’s team achieving a win by four shots after a late rally. There then followed an excellent supper in the pavilion for over 70 members.

If you would like to join this friendly club, come along to an open day on May 28 at 2-5 pm or any Monday evening at 6.15pm from May 9.

Two further open days will be held in June (15 and 22) when you can also enjoy a real cream tea on the terrace.

Thanks to the members, �72 was raised with a spider for the Educate the Kids Charity in Kenya and �84 from a raffle for the Children’s Hospice Southwest.

FOR the second successive Saturday of the outdoor season, Clarence men enjoyed brilliant sunshine as they competed in a new fixture, gentlemen v players.

The match replaced the usual annual Over-60s fixture between Clarence Blues and Golds. With the teams in different divisions of the Weston & District Over-60s League this year, a change of format was decided upon, with teams picked by the club selection committee.

The gentlemen, wearing collars and ties and led by club captain Ian Baker, beat the less formally-attired players, skippered by vice-captain John Edwards, by 31 shots, mainly due to a huge victory on the gents’ rink of club president Reg Flicker, Jon Loveridge, Terry Cockcroft and skip Richard Crawford.

This Saturday, the three clubs based at Clarence Park will be playing the annual St George’s Day fixture between teams representing last year’s winners Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. This will be followed by a hotpot supper.

Inter-club fixtures for Clarence men start next week, when the Blues make their debut in Division 1 of the Over-60s League away to Clevedon on Tuesday and the second division Golds are at home to Ashcombe Templars on April 29.

Clarence’s recruitment-drive open days began on Monday and continue every day (11am-1pm) until May 15. Anyone will be welcome to try bowls free of charge, with equipment and coaching provided. For more details, phone the club on 01934 632748.

ASHCOMBE Park ladies enjoyed the president’s opening day last week.

A friendly game was won by newcomer Jane Sansam and this was followed by a meal prepared by committee members and helpers and served by the men

It begins a year of celebration, since the club has been in existence for 100 years. Until recently, however, the ladies were a separate club, being formed on May 5, 1927.

WESSEX ladies opened the season with their president’s day.

President Christine Peart raised the flag despite the rain. A spider was held and was won by Sue Cooper of Victoria, but the usual bowls drive was rained off.

Guests included Somerset Bowls Association president Mrs Jill Price, Clarence Bowling Club, Clarence Ladies and other local clubs.

Members and guests enjoyed tea with the traditional trifles. Mrs Peart presented Elaine Deane with her Past President’s badge before closing the proceedings.

CLARENCE ladies’ outdoor season started with president Vi, captain Margaret Baker, vice-president Pam Hawkins and vice-captain Veronica Jones, welcoming county president Jill Price to the opening event.

Also attending were Clarence men’s president Reg Flicker, captain Ian Baker and ladies from Ashcombe St Andrews Victoria and Wessex clubs.

The Spider event was won by Elizabeth Williams from Wessex and the social game was won by Clarence member Jean Higgins.