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 

Since the commencement of the season in April there has been a flurry of matches - visiting teams, friendlies against other local clubs, local league matches, area and county competitions, as well as in house-matches. Despite all the heavy use, coupled with the hot weather, the green is still looking as pristine and playing as well as on the opening day.

Saturday 20th June was designated as President’s Day, which is an opportunity for Club President, Sharon Kenny, to thank all the members who give so freely of their time and energy to make the club so welcoming and of such a high standard, that clubs just love coming to Ottery. It has been calculated that if all the time given was added up, that it would be the equivalent of one person working for five full days per month.

The weather did not let the club down as the sun shone and there was a gentle breeze throughout the afternoon. The players were expertly organised by Mike and Marion Kelsey into Club coloured teams - blue and yellow. A round robin tournament was played with each team playing nearly all the other teams. At the end of the afternoon, the blue team were declared victorious, but only by five shots.

The blue team with the highest score comprised of Jill Pond, George Hutchinson and Melvin Trayhurn. The yellow team, captained by Paul Bright consisted of Jane Hammond , Keith Thorley, and the anonymous CR (both of whom played half a match due to recovery from injury).

Thereafter, a superb meal was enjoyed by the players, and thanks must go to Sharon and her team of helpers for being willing to spend a hot afternoon in a warm kitchen.

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.
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To summarise “Not a bad start to the season”

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