When and how did you get into playing Bowls?
In 1993 my late husband, Doug, and I had returned to the UK after spending six years living and travelling overseas on a 38ft yacht. Our search for a property ended with purchasing a run-down cottage in Hawkchurch on the Somerset, Dorset and Devon borders. Taunton was our nearest shopping centre and we kept passing Donyatt Bowling Club on our way there. One day we decided to have a look to see what it was like. We were made very welcome and given a chance to try it out. It was the indoor season, so our introduction was on carpet. At that time Donyatt was very successful and had John Wiseman, an ex-England Bowls Captain, as an investor together with several England players and John’s good friend, David Bryant, a frequent presence and occasional coach. I took to the game pretty well and enjoyed getting to know many other clubs and bowlers around Somerset and Devon. I managed to get my Indoor County badge for Somerset within a few years. You are a qualified County player. Can you explain what that means? In 2002 I joined Seaton where I gained my Devon Outdoor County badge in 2007. It was a lot harder in those days as the criteria for Men getting their badges was much easier than for Ladies. I’m pleased to say that things have been evened out since then. To gain a County badge now you must enter County competitions and win games to achieve County points, the further rounds you go through the more points you win. When you have achieved 30 points you apply for your badge and are usually presented with it in front of other County players at a game early in the following season. You can then put your name forward for selection to play in games against other counties. How has the game changed over the years? The game has changed in a lot of ways, mainly for the better. When I started, Ladies were not allowed to wear trousers and when we attended County competitions, we had to wear our blazers and hats. I was once reprimanded for forgetting my hat! Things are a lot more relaxed now which is good and we can wear trousers and shorts However. I do think in some ways standards have slipped as a lot of bowlers do not seem to understand the basic rules of the game or etiquette. What is it that keeps you coming back for more? Bowls is a great game which welcomes married couples or single people where they will never feel out of place coming on their own. The game itself is a team building experience as well as a personal challenge. Even if your side has lost, you may be able to feel satisfaction that you have bowled well and done your best for the team. Do you have a favourite format? I enjoy Singles games when you have no one else to rely on and, in effect, have to go it alone. In team games everyone seems to enjoy Triples where you have an ‘extra’ wood. One short, one long and one in the middle as they say, or better still, three on the jack! In competitions, the two wood Singles is a test for everyone but it shouldn’t be, as you only have two woods to bowl in most club games. Do you still play Indoor bowls? How does it differ from Lawn Bowls? I gave up playing indoors some years ago as it was taking up too much of my time and my husband was no longer bowling. I did play friendlies for Nomads Mixed Bowling Association with players from all over the South West, and the England Bowls Umpires Association, South West, where I was match secretary for both at various times. Playing indoors is very different. At the beginning of the season your first few bowls are likely to go in the ditch as you have to rein back on the force you would use outdoors, but once you adjust to the different weight, the carpet is much more consistent. Games are not rained off either but you do have the challenge of playing on carpets of different consistencies. As very little exertion is needed to bowl indoors a lot of older players who can no longer manage outdoor greens find they can still cope indoors. That is not to say that it is only for older bowlers. Some clubs have a younger contingent and if you watched the World Championships on TV you will have seen what an aggressive and competitive game it can be where younger bowlers excel. Indoor bowling definitely has its place, but it is hard to beat being outside on a summer’s day facing the pleasures and challenges of a lawn green which has so many variations. One rink varies from another; the line can change from one end to another, and the green may be fast with good weather or ‘pushy’ if there has been rain. How would you sell bowls to someone who hasn’t played before? Bowls can be a great sport for all ages. When new members join, you can often recognise people who have played other sports by the way they take to the bowls quickly. I played tennis when younger but had to give it up due to an eye problem when I could no longer track a fast moving ball, which doesn’t apply in bowls! I also loved to swim and wind surf when we lived on our boat. Most people I know who have never tried bowls are sceptical and reluctant to try as it is a ‘game for old people’ or like ‘watching paint dry’ but I know from experience, the pleasure and satisfaction it can bring. It is a very social game, inclusive and challenging, which is good at any time of life. I would encourage anyone to give it a try before they judge and see if they like it. I do not bowl enough at present to maintain the standard I would like to, and my game is very up and down but then other bowlers find the same thing even when they are bowling a lot. There is no accounting for form, and you don’t know until you start a game whether it will be a good day or not. There is a saying that anyone can beat anyone – it’s all on the day. I think that is what keeps us coming back for more.
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Next year Gerry Beighton and his wife Maggie will celebrate 25 years of membership of our bowling club so we thought it would be interesting to ask Gerry to reflect on his experiences over the past quarter of a century by answering a few questions.
In 2000, having lived in Ottery for three years, Maggie and I discovered that Ottery had a bowling club and we decided to join. It proved to be of great value to us as a centre of our social life. I first became involved in club affairs when I was asked by the Chairman for advice because the club membership had dropped to a low level. I gave a presentation to the committee and guess what? I was asked to become the first Recruitment Officer. A big effort was made by all and membership increased to the target of 100 ever the next few years. I have been asked what contributions I have made to the club. Well, in it’s earlier years the club was mainly male orientated with just a couple of ladies achieving senior management positions. This changed when I was Chairman. I recruited Gail Hawke as our Club Secretary. Sharon Kenny became Club Vice Captain, and later, Club Captain. Dot Luff became our first Social Fund Raiser. These three ladies have all made outstanding contributions to the club and I have the temerity to claim some reflected glory. Is being married to another bowler a good thing? Yes, to have any mutual interest holds the two together and helps to integrate your social calendar. Maggie and I were both Vice Captain and Captains at the same time and this meant that club time was concentrated. Thinking back over the years, can I think of any matches that I played in that stood out? Oh yes indeed, but there are far, far too many to just select one or two here, I’m afraid. After two and a half decades do I still enjoy playing bowls? Gosh, yes I do. Having fractured my femur in March, bowling has been my main motivation for walking again. What is special about our club? Well, it was always the friendliest club before it had any reputation as a competitive one. Now it has a great reputation but has managed to retain that friendly, welcoming spirit. What would I say to someone thinking of joining? Well, how often have members said “If only I had known about this earlier!”
PLAYER PROFILE
Gerard McCarthy, our Men’s Secretary, has kindly agreed to be our first victim for this new feature providing an insight into connection with the great game of Bowls. We will add profiles to the library each month. Thanks for agreeing to be the first player at the club to share your bowling experiences with us Gerard. How long have you been playing bowls? Since 2015 when by chance I spotted an ‘Open Day’ sign at Budleigh Salterton Bowls Club which led me to sign up for their indoor season. What do you find special about the game? It’s a competitive sport but at it’s core there’s a strong emphasis placed on sportsmanship and respect. What’s your favourite format? Triples is my preferred game. The third wood makes such a difference and whatever position (1,2 or skip) you have the opportunity to put your mark on the game. How is this season going? Early days, I’m getting better but I need to be more consistent. What has been your highest achievement to date? Winning the Otter Trophy Singles last summer. I beat four good bowlers to get there. Yes, luck did give me a helping hand, but it was a good indicator that I am going in the right direction. Does a particular game stand out in your memory? I will go for two very contrasting locations. Firstly, playing at the Falls Road Bowling Club in Belfast and later at the Jersey Bowling Club against a President’s selected team drawn from four clubs across the island including international players. Modesty prevents me from going into too much detail but we won 23-15 on our rink! Away from bowls what do you get up to? Family and friends. I recently retired so I’m enjoying the art of ‘pottering around’. Is there anything you don’t like about bowls? In two words, heavy greens! Are you involved in other activities at the club? I am currently the Men’s Secretary so I sit on the Management Committee. I am also the club’s representative at the Section 3 meetings of Bowls Devon. Finally, can you sum up the attractions of Bowls in three words? COMPETITION, COMMUNITY , FRIENDSHIP! |
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September 2024
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