News Archive

 

North Devon Ladies Triples League

Presidents Day 2023

A very successful Presidents Day on May 20th, when 36 Members played 18 ends of mixed Ladies and Gents Triples in perfect weather conditions, members enjoyed a welcome Glass of Pimm’s and an Ice cream at half time which was followed at the end of the match by a very well deserved Cream Tea.

The Winning teams were presented with prizes very generously donated by The Dorset Bowls Resort, Nr  Bere Regis, Dorset, who also Donated a generous sum of money to the Hospiscare Charity.

Many Local Businesses also donated items that were Auctioned, these were a Afternoon Tea for two, generously given by Adam & Laura Mounts at Strawberry Fields, Lifton,  A Sunday Lunch for two from Mike and Sarah at The White Hart Inn at Bridestowe and our Vice Captain, Andy Smith your Local Business Handyman, Gave Himself as a Slave for a free days Labour, gardening, painting, cleaning or cooking a meal etc.

Special thanks to all our Members, Helpers, Guests and Friends who all contributed to make the afternoon such a Memorable and successful occasion and helped to raise a Grand Sum of £547-50 in aid of the Okehampton Hospiscare@Home.  Pictured presenting the cheque to Hospiscare@home is club president and Hon Treasurer along with Heather Jones and Sharon from Hospiscare. 

Sunday 30th April

The Centenary Celebrations continue

Re-Enactment of the first game played a 100 Years ago on Okehampton Simmons Bowling Green between Tavistock, Barnstaple (Ashleigh Road) & Okehampton 2023

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE ORIGIN OF TODAY’S GAME

Okehampton was very fortunate to have a wealthy benefactor, Mr Sydney Simmons, who provided funds to buy and design Simmons Park and additional funds to build both the tennis courts and the bowling green on the understanding that the work be done by unemployed men of the town. Just over 100 years ago the first game of bowls was played. It was a day of great celebration with the band playing and children’s games taking place in the park. Today, we have very loosely replicated that game. Back then Barnstable Bowling Club played Okehampton beating them handsomely 51 shots to 18. I hasten to add Barnstable did have at least one international player. Tavistock Bowling Club then gave an exhibition match.

The annual subscription was 2 shillings and 6 pence – 12 ½ p in new money and the members were made up of men, white-collared workers, shopkeepers and councillors and rinks was the order of the day. Games were played in the evenings, Saturdays and Wednesdays this being half day closing. A motion was put to the council to play on Sundays, this was rejected, with even the President of the bowls club, a councillor, voting against it. Sundays were for religious observance and even the children’s swings in the park were tied up on Sundays.

There was a Pavilion in the park where the bandstand is now situated but the members under the guidance of Mr Lobb laboured for many months to build the present clubhouse which was opened in 1983.

Coming up to the present, the clubhouse, due to the generosity of Stan Cousins, is to be extended to improve the changing facilities.

Thank you for coming today to help us celebrate 100 years and long may bowls continue.

 

Unbadged County Pairs 2022

Janet Griffiths and Jean Hutchings won the ladies unbadged county pairs in September taking the honours on a lovely sunny day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUB LEAGUE FINALS 2022

On a lovely and warm September late afternoon, early evening, the Okehampton Simmons Bowling club held the final of the pub and club competitions.

Winners of the Shield ( Cup ) were the Muppets, from left to right are Steve Cook, Martin Letchford, Paul Nosworthy and John Donovan.

The winners of the League were the team DIY, pictured having a celebration drink from left to right are Steve Mills, Arthur Griffiths, Ian Priestly and Mick Hatch.

Club organiser Roger Pedrick said, “It’s been a good season, also the weather has been great and we raised in excess of £1000 for our Charities (Hospiscare & Devon Air Ambulance), which we will present to them at our AGM in November.”

Thanks to all teams that took part this year.

Ladies Shield Winners 2022

The ladies at Okehampton Simmons Bowls Club have had a successful season winning their division. They were presented with the Shield Trophy at the annual AGM for the ’86 Shield and Top Club held on Thursday 8th September in Okehampton.

NORA GEE 2021

This year’s Nora Gee was played on Tuesday 24th August on a lovely sunny afternoon at Okehampton.  This year we only had 7 players so a triple and rink was played and it was a close game played in good spirits as always Okehampton came out the winners, keeping the trophy for another year.  Last year would have been 30 years of playing this tournament but it wasn’t to be so to celebrate 31 years a toast of prosecco was enjoyed.  Pictured below are our joint ladies’ captains Sue Hunt & Carol Ditchburn receiving the trophy from Jan Summers.