A great weekend as always - the weather looked like it would be a factor on Saturday but after Dave applied his magic sponge to the green, we were pretty much left alone by the rain gods.

Some superb bowling for the gallery to enjoy with catering managed by Sharon (delicious cakes provided by Cheryl) and lots of bar people in attendance.

Huge thanks to everybody who made this possible, especially the markers.

Closest contest of the weekend was the Fred Burgess where Sue beat Pat 2-1 in the deciding set - the future is bright judging by the way that they both bowled

No photos of the finalists taken im afraid - we'll see if we can retrofit some over the coming weeks

After a seemingly endless and wet winter, the bowling season recommenced towards the end of April with the now traditional opening drive, followed by high tea. From that time, matches have been arranged so quickly, that there seemed to be little time for breath!

New players received their training, and many of them are now proudly wearing the blue and gold of the club, and playing in friendly matches.

The annual president’s day was held mid June, just before the halfway point of the year, and everyone adhered to the President’s request to dress either in blue or yellow. Some of the outfits beggared belief! A splendid two course meal was enjoyed by all to finish off the afternoon. After the early season rains, most matches have been played in brilliant warm sunshine, with special care being paid to hats, suncream and water available at every occasion. Only one match had to be cancelled due to possible heat stroke, and it will be recorded as “sun stopped play!”

As I write, the regional hose pipe ban has been imposed, and the green keeper is looking back wistfully at the wet days from earlier in the year. It will not be long before the green is renamed “the Brown” due to club green keeper, Dave Brown who works tirelessly to provide a wonderful surface which is good enough to allow inter county matches to be played on it, in addition to all the regular matches.

The results from various regional competitions have been most encouraging with both men’s and women’s sections excelling themselves, making 2026 the best season ever for Ottery. The Ottery ladies reached 3 section finals in different disciplines, and in one competition, an Ottery pairing reached a quarter final. Bowls being a game where men and women play on a level playing field, the mixed triples teams reached two area finals, and are playing a quarter final later in August.

The men’s section has seen a resounding success with 7 area finals being reached and 4 teams progressing even further in their competition.

One of the most anticipated matches of every season is an invitational event sponsored by Redfern Estate Agents, where six local teams are invited to compete in a round robin tournament for the trophy named after the sponsors. Ottery were found to be the winners with a decisive score, and so the highly prized trophy remains in the club house. There is also a regional mixed league with matches played on a Monday evening, and at the time of writing, Ottery were in second place by one point with one match to play.

Playing Bowls for one’s home county is a great achievement, and this privilege is not conferred lightly as a rigorous assessment takes place. This year four Ottery members have received their County Badges and a fifth will receive hers next year

One of the most pleasing pieces of news this year has been the promotion of Gail Hawke to be Bowls Devon Ladies President in 2027. Gail joined Ottery over 15 years ago, and has probably done every job within the club, including the arduous jobs of club captain and secretary. I don’t think she has been seen cutting the grass, but that may come!

She is a level 2 coach and has the amazing gift of being able to encourage both old and new bowlers. She started the Saturday morning coaching sessions for young people aged between 10 and 15, and this has been a great success. When her duties permit, she can often be seen either in the club kitchen preparing a meal, or in the clubhouse organising a social event. Gail is greatly liked and highly respected within the club and also within the wider area of Bowls Devon.
When playing bowls she is extremely competitive, as well as being difficult to beat. The club is delighted that she has been recognised in this role, it brings great honour to her for her dedication, and great esteem to the club.

As we now enter the last weeks of the season, there are still friendly matches to be played against touring teams, other local clubs, and internal and external competitions to be completed. That is in addition to the latter stages of area competitions. It would now appear that when competition draws are made, most clubs would rather not be drawn against Ottery!

To conclude, and in the words of the men’s captain “It’s been a great year, and we look forward to placing more cups in the trophy cabinet next year!”

A glorious Friday morning saw Gail, Sharon and Emma welcome 16 ladies from the West Hill group to try out our lovely sport. Good fun was had by all and it appears that a few of them may be tempted back on a Friday night for a spot of coaching! 

​On behalf of everyone at 1st Whimple Cubs, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and all the members of Ottery St Mary Bowling Club for giving our Cubs such a warm welcome this week.

The Cubs had a fantastic evening and thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to learn about lawn bowls and, more importantly, have a go themselves. Many of them had never tried bowls before, so it was a wonderful chance to experience something completely new.

We really appreciated the time, patience and enthusiasm that you and your team showed in teaching the Cubs the basics and encouraging them throughout the evening. It was lovely to see everyone getting involved, improving their skills and having so much fun.

Please pass on our thanks to everyone who helped make the evening such a success, notably Chris, Gail, Brian and Charlie

We hope our visit may even have inspired a few future bowlers!

Thank you once again for a brilliant evening.
Kind regards,
Rosie Hilling
Cub Scout Leader
1st Whimple Cubs 

Devon began their defence of the title they won at Leamington last year, despite the weather the girls played to their strengths, steadily building the ends and winning the rinks. We won on all but one rink, and sit proudly at the top of the table following the first game.

Our next fixture is at Sherbourne v Dorset on Saturday 20th June.

Let’s hope for the same result.

After a seemingly long, dreary and wet winter, during which the only members who were happy were the greenkeeper and the finance officer. The first because the green did not need watering so much and the second because the water charge would be reduced.

Finally the bowling season commenced on 19th April with The Opening Drive and the club president, Sharon Kenny, started the season off in the traditional manner by delivering the first bowl. Although it was a slightly chilly afternoon, the weather did not stop the members from having an afternoon full of fun, laughter and competition. Occasionally, a wrong bias was sent across the green much to the embarrassment of the player, in fact one experienced member made a proper Charlie of themselves! The afternoon was finished off with a High Tea which was superbly organised by Anita and the catering team.

Thereafter the season was soon in full swing , with Ottery winning five out of the first six matches against Severalls Bowling Club from Crewkerne, Tiverton Canal, Madeira, Chudleigh, Phear Park and Grampound from Truro. This being a typical English spring, some of the matches were played in such warm conditions that shorts and sun hats were needed, and the post match drinks were enjoyed outside.

Touring teams always enjoy coming to Ottery for three reasons, namely the quality of the green and the pavilion, the warmth of the welcome experienced and the fact that we have an exceptionally large car park, big enough for a touring coach! During the first week of May, three touring teams visited us, one of which was Westlecot Bowling Club, who have been yearly visitors since the club was formed. In fact many of their older members always comment how the facilities have improved over the years.

The green is recognised as one of the best in East Devon, if not in the county. Dorset Patrons paid us a visit in mid May, followed soon after by Horsell Bowling Club from Surrey. It would appear that the long journey had affected this team as Ottery ran out huge winners. Sidmouth were the next local club to visit us and they could not claim travel fatigue as Ottery won comfortably.

The Over 60’s matches have now started for both the men’s and women’s sections, and it is perhaps too early to judge whether the teams will top their leagues. However in another competition, OSMBC did particularly well by coming through the first round of the Top Club competition.

The club coaches have been busy during the first six weeks of the season with new potential players coming down on club nights, as well as the Bowls Open Day. Hopefully many will decide to stay with the club as their skill level increases.. The Saturday morning young peoples training session has already seen one player come through to play in a friendly fixture.
​
To summarise “Not a bad start to the season”

Captain Viv Gilleard is pictured raising the Ottery flag prior to one of the matches