2026 Midsummer Newsletter
I have to open with an apology – I’m sorry that you have had to wait a while longer than expected for this newsletter; it was intended to be the “Spring Newsletter” but, as you can see, it now has a more appropriate title.
Looking Back
Quiz Night and Games Evening
Our quiz night and games evening were held during the winter break; both were well-supported and enjoyed by all who took part. As well as being fund-raisers for the Club they provided a valuable opportunity for us all to keep in touch during the break. Thanks are due to everyone who played a part in making the evenings a success and especially to Colin and Judy Miller for hosting the quiz and to Alison and Dick Collard for organising and directing the fun and games.
Thanks, too, to John Cherrington for running the raffles at both events and to everyone who donated raffle prizes – your generosity was such that we had to hold over some of the donations to make sure the raffles didn’t go on endlessly! Your gifts are not wasted but are being used to enhance the Spoon Drive raffles.
Green Opening
There was a fine, sunny day for our green opening on 18th April. After the formalities -with a few words from Chairman, Captain and President – Club Trustee, Jeremy Blanford, stepped up and delivered the first wood of the new season. The traditional match between President’s and Captain’s teams followed with the President’s running out worthy winners by 74-60.
For once, the local press did us proud, printing articles about our opening in both the Bexhill and Battle, and the Hastings, St Leonards and Rye Observers as well as running the piece on their website.
Taster Days
We held three taster sessions this year, two on Saturday mornings and one on a Sunday afternoon. Visitors were not numerous but all three days saw prospective bowlers of promise coming along to try out our sport. The Club bids a very warm welcome to those who have since decided to join us – we hope you have a great time here at Battle Bowls.
Indoor Interclub League
Our form in the Gullivers Winter Indoor League continued to show improvement. Battle ended the season in fourth place, only denied a podium finish by the league rules which don’t allow a club to be awarded the points if their opponents choose not to play a fixture!
Renovations and Repairs
Not so much work around the ground this year but several water-related incidents have had to be dealt with! The roof of the changing rooms has been refelted to keep the rain out and several plumbing repairs have been made in the clubhouse which suffered twice from burst pipes and from a leak from under the sink!
We are aware that some of the paving around the green, particularly at the far end on the corner of rink 1, is uneven and in need of repair. It’s not a frequently-used path but please take care if you are walking around that corner. We have been exploring ways to get it fixed and we now have a plan, with thanks to Trevor. Updates will follow.
On a more positive note, a number of folk have been working to improve the green surrounds, clearing the weeds, tying back the clematis, and introducing new planters alongside the relocated benches. All-in-all, the ground is looking a much more pleasing place to play and watch bowls. I know that several members have played a part but I hope others will forgive me if I make particular mention of Alison, Maria and Mick F for the time and effort they have contributed.
The Season So Far
I am pleased to say that the Club has enjoyed a great start to the season. At the time of writing, we have played six matches in the Rother League and sit in third place with 42 points. The teams currently above us, Hollington with 52 points and Northiam with 44, have both played a match more so we are handily placed to progress. In the past week, two league matches have been postponed on account of the weather but both have been rearranged for a busy weekend in August!
We have had no less success in friendlies with victories in all but a couple of matches so far. Please keep putting your name forward to play, our aim with friendlies is to ensure that anyone who wants to play does have the opportunity to do so. I know that there are a few newer players who have not yet taken the plunge but please don’t hold back. Matches are genuinely played in a friendly spirit (even if everyone is trying to win) and they are a great way to improve your play and to develop your understanding of bowls strategies.
“Bruce’s Bowlathon” for Parkinsons UK
Our President, Bruce, together with Selwyn, is organising a “Bowlathon” to raise money for Parkinson’s UK. The plan is to play a sponsored day-long triples match between teams captained by Bruce and Selwyn (substitutes will be allowed!) over 55 ends with a final 5-wood singles end played between the captains – making 1000 bowls delivered in total. The Bowlathon is scheduled for Saturday 8th August (but with September 5th as an alternative if the Great British weather prevents play on the earlier date).
Please make a note of the dates and look out for full details of how you can be involved as a player or as a sponsor (or both).
Club Shirts
Alison will very shortly be putting in an order to our supplier for club shirts. These are required wear for all club matches and competition finals – and make an attractive addition to any player’s bowls outfits! If you would like a shirt, please speak to Alison as soon as possible; she will be able to advise you on the styles and sizes available. The final price per shirt depends on the numbers we order but will be in region of £25-£30.
Knockout Competitions – Practice
A reminder (which you may have already seen as a WhatsApp message) of the Club’s long-standing policy that competitors in our knockout competitions do not practice on the green on the day of their match. This applies across the whole of the green not only the rink on which the match will be played.
A reminder too, however, that once a rink has been chosen, matches can be preceded by two trial ends in which players can use all four of their woods in each end. Players are not limited to the “two up, two down” trial ends played in league matches.
Monday Evening Roll-ups
A welcome addition to the club’s activities this season are the Monday evening roll-ups organised by Phil Edmondson. Details are regularly posted on the WhatsApp group and all members are welcome to come along and take part. There’s no charge.
Visitors
Members can play on our green at no cost whenever it is available (ie when it is fit for play and no mowing, maintenance or matches are scheduled) and are welcome to bring non-member guests to play with them subject to a £5 donation to club funds per guest
per session. No guest, however, may play on more than three occasions during the season; if they want to play more regularly, they need to become members. Donations should be put in a brown cash envelope and deposited in the Treasurer’s box – all to be found in the cupboard in the clubhouse.
Refreshments
The club always provides refreshments at matches, club day competitions and spoon drives, included in the fees paid by participants. If you are using the green on a casual basis for roll-ups or practice you are, of course, very welcome to use the clubhouse facilities but contributions towards any refreshments taken (a packet of biscuits or a handful of teabags ) are always appreciated.
Summer Barbeque
Following the success of last year summer’s social event, the Club will again be hosting a barbeque this August. This will take place on Thursday 13th starting after that afternoon’s Spoon Drive so expect food to be served from about 6pm. Please put the date in your diaries.
And looking ahead further…… Green Closing
Remember that this year, rather than closing immediately after Bizarre Bowling, the green will remain open for Spoon Drives and casual play until the end of September. In recent years the weather in the last two weeks of that month has been favourable and the chance to play a little longer is too good to miss!
Enjoy your bowls,
Kevin