Newsletter Issue 294 20/07/2026
Hello there!
Did you spot the deliberate error last time? It was Contactible. There was also an error which slipped through, practice instead of practise. Well done if you got both.
Look out for this issue’s deliberate error.
Let’s go.
Bowls stuff
News from the Fantastic 5 National Team competition from Layla
On one of the hottest days the team , (John Black, Cath Gallagher Black, Collin Prosser, Martin Smith and Layla Avaron) drove to play North Wiltshire Cardinals in Chippenham, who won the competition last year.
We played through 40 degree heat in a non-air conditioned hall which operated on an extractor fan system. It was a struggle in the heat. This fan kept turning on, raising the temperature and making the bowls pull up dramatically. (A frustrating game when the fan was off as you started to bowl and half way up the green on a beautiful line the fan turned on and the bowl pulled up 2 yards short). Both sides experienced this same annoyance. The bowling technique had to change seeing most players releasing their bowl the minute they stepped on the mat. Waiting an extra second the bowl slipped haphazardly causing what I called “carpet chaos”. Luckily this affected both sides. I found myself having to sit down in between ends with freezing cold cloths on my head and neck. Others were downing iced water. It made the game unenjoyable as the main aim seemed to be to cope with the heat.
Might I add here how lucky we are to have air conditioning at Mid Glos .
The games were close, sadly all in the home teams favour. John started well in his singles against a very good singles competition winner then luck was not on his side with near misses of the jack.
The fours saw some jack touching heads and again the luck was not with us.
The second half triples and pairs saw some great drawing and some near misses and the inevitable struggle with changing green pace mid delivery to the jack and the perfect draw just dipping in too short, Very frustrating.
The outcome was an 8-0 defeat. However, after two games we are not at the bottom of our group 16 table.
Our next game was played on 5TH July. The result was a draw 4 points to 4 points and 29 shots each. We Played Clarrie Dunbar Dragonflies at Mid Glos.
Firstly let me thank the behind the scenes support to have a home match happen.
Kath in the office and Tony Letts with the news of match emailed with the opportunity for club members to come and enjoy a roll up. The request for bar staff and opening and closing of the club Volunteers (Thanks to Angela Holbrook and Mark Tester for their help)
After the first two games the singles took a narrow defeat and the fours drew a blinder to walk away winners 9 shots to 4.
In the second half the two wood Triples with Colin Prosser, Malcolm Blount and Trevor Bartlett was a close game, Colin often holding steadfast on the jack, Trevor converting to win ends. The 8th end for me watching with Malcolm’s perfectly drawn woods either side just behind the jack leaving us holding 2 shots and the oppositions skip drawing the perfect wood but just seemed to slip off the shot bowl and glance aside, then with her next the accuracy again but glanced unluckily the other way in the process saving one shot. Two beautiful shots that were unlucky to take the shot saw us go 5 all going in to the final 10th end. Sadley our team dropped a two on the last end and were defeated 5 to 7. The three wood pairs Linda Watkin Jones and Sally Overthrow was a nail biting game, tit for tat, we were scoring 1’s through nearly every end giving two ends away Final score a win 9 shots to 4.
Well done to all team members. All are enjoying the National Tournament Games.
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On 11th July Clive Shaw and Martin Smith played two bowlers from Cotswold in the EIBA summer pairs and won on the last end. Brilliant result!
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Date for the diary: Saturday 22nd August will be the next Singles Draw bowl competition.
Start time is 10a.m. bacon and sausage baps available, bar open. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. As described in the last issue, this is great fun. More details next time.
Youth Bowls
The British Bowls Under-18 International Series was held at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa on Sunday 19 and Monday 20 July. The squad including our own Dylan Williamson, Josh Hodges, Louie Hodges and Erin Burke are up against Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Results next time.
Board stuff
I’m very pleased to announce that Clive Shaw has been co-opted as Marketing & PR Director. One vacancy remains – Catering Director. Please contact me if you are interested.
Following the recent meeting of the General Management Committee, the honours boards are to be moved from the Cooper suite to the side wall of the rinks. The Cooper Suite is to be redecorated and re-equipped after this.
The Board were asked to consider separate memberships for Winter & Summer bowlers. Since this would involve a considerable loss of income, the decision was to decline the proposal.
Social stuff.
Summer cribbage is on alternate Wednesday mornings from10-12, with the next being on Wednesday July 29th. This will continue throughout the Summer.
The next quiz night is on Saturday, 15th August with Chris Carter, Lin Brighty & Sheila Kingswell as the quizmasters. Cost is only £6 per person, £7 for non-members including a buffet. Enter on the notice board by reception.
Yoga is held every Wednesday from 12.30 – 1.30p.m. The cost is £10. Please bring your own mat.
We hold a whist drive run by Rachel at 7p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Friday evenings. The next is on the 7th August. Rachel would like to remind you that there is a box for used stamps at Reception, the proceeds from which go to the Butterfly Centre.
There will now be a Summer Bingo break so it will restart on Sunday 27th September. Please bring a raffle prize.
Getting to know you.
My name is Mark Tester and I joined the club in 2021 after taking up bowls and have thoroughly enjoyed becoming part of such a friendly community. Away from the green, I’m the Director of Buildings and Grounds, helping to keep everything running smoothly and looking its best.
When I’m not bowling, I enjoy reading, tackling jigsaw puzzles, playing Scrabble, and swimming. Family is very important to me, and I’m proud to have two daughters, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Before moving to Bishops Cleeve, I served as a parish councillor in Brockworth. Life has had its ups and downs—I was happily married for 30 years before being widowed at the age of 54—but I’ve always believed in getting on with life and making the most of every day.
If I had to describe myself, I’d say I’m a bit sarcastic, fairly blunt, and always willing to help anyone who needs it. I like to say what I think, but it’s always meant with good intentions, and I’m happiest when I can lend a hand.
Garden Help needed.
The gardening group urgently need help with some weeding and planting. Now the heat wave has gone please could you find time to give a hand on Saturday 25th and /or Sunday 26th July. Just turn up with a few basic tools from 10 a.m. onwards. Thanks in advance.
Punny Ending
Just bumped into someone I used to know who sold me a miniature globe. It’s a small world!
In Closing…
The next issue is out on Monday August 3rd
I’m always contactable at the emial address below.
Cheers me dears,
Tony Letts.
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