Gerry Beighton Profile

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!” ​