Presentations at the AGM 2024

The club was pleased to be able to present two local charities each with cheques for £500, money raised by the club’s Pub League over the past season.

Club President, John Mansell, presents the cheques to representatives from Hospicecare and Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

Okehampton Simmons Pub and Club League

Okehampton Simmons Bowling Club’s, Pub and Club League concluded its season at the end of August, with 9 out of the 10 League teams, playing on finals night.

The winners of the League were the Muppets, while the Legionnaires had the honour of the wooden spoon. The Knockout Cup was won by the team RAOB,

The Pub League teams have raised in excess of a £1,000.00 for charities, which will be presented at the Okehampton Simmons Bowling Club AGM in November.

Organiser Roger Pedrick thanked all club members and players who have helped throughout the season, and gave a special thank you to Okehampton Simmons Bowling Club.

League winners, the Muppets, left to right, John Donovan, Steve Cook, club captain Alan Mathias (non player), Paul Nosworthy and Martin Letchford.

The Legionnaires

The Knockout Cup winners, team RAOB, left to right, Club Captain Alan Mathias, RAOB team Ken Curson, Nigel Vaughn, Andrew Bourne and (not pictured) Martin White.

Club Finals Weekend 24th – 26th August

The finals of the Club’s knockout competitions were held this weekend. There were 15 matches altogether to be organised, involving over 40 players and nine markers. The players were supported by a good-sized audience of club members. We had the whole gamut of weather from drizzle and rain to keen winds and bright sunshine, meaning the bowlers had to adapt to the changing conditions of the rinks as the games progressed.

Once the last match was finished the prize-giving commenced, with the worthy winners being awarded their cups. The day ended with a raffle and a substantial buffet.

Thanks must go to Alan for organising the competitions and this weekend’s programme, to members who have volunteered as markers throughout the knockout sessions and this weekend, to Alison, Jenny, Maria and Viv N for providing the buffet, to Nigel and Mick for manning the bar, and to our great team of greenkeepers who keep our green in such wonderful condition all season.

John Mansell (Club President) and Alan Mathias (Club Captain) present the prizes.

For a complete list of winners, click here for the Winners Page

Torrington Mixed Triples Competition – Saturday 17th August

This is an annual competition hosted by members of Great Torrington bowling club and sponsored by Webbers Property Services of Great Torrington. The members give freely of their time to organise the competition and prepare coffee, tea ,lunch and afternoon tea for the players taking part. Clubs from all over Devon and Cornwall, including Barnstaple, Bere Alston, Bude, Chagford, Combe Martin, Abbrook Park (Kingsteignton), Launceston, Newton Abbot, Ottery St Mary and, of course Okehampton and Torrington took part: 28 teams (eight of which were from Okehampton) of mixed triples bowlers, a grand total of 84 bowlers.

Players on the day played three games, that consisted of 1hr 15mins or 11 ends.

The teams were split into two sections, A and B. Section A started at 9-30am, with the sections alternating games throughout the day. Section B finally finished their last match at 5-25pm!

Meanwhile the members of Great Torrington, prepared and served two sittings of two-course lunches, and later in the afternoon, two sittings of afternoon tea, which included sandwiches, quiches and cakes.

The day culminated with the prize-giving, followed by raffle draw prizes.

Okehampton fared very favourable in the competition, winning the first three top prizes. In first place was our Club Captain’s team of Alan Mathias, Roger Pedrick and club treasurer, Wendy Raymond. Second place went to our Club President’s team of John Mansell, Kath Mansell and Sue Hearne. Third place was taken by our Club Members’ team of Jon Randall, Maria Randall and Roland Allkins.

We send huge thanks, congratulations and best wishes to all members of Great Torrington Bowling Club on organising and promoting another great bowling event. We are all looking forward to next year’s Mixed Triples at Great Torrington.

Sunday 11th August — Shield Competition

This is the third year that the competition for the Mixed Triples Shield has been held, with Okehampton winners in 2023 and Bradworthy in 2022.

The Shield was played for at Bradworthy Bowing Club on a glorious sunny afternoon, between five of our local clubs – Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Morchard Bishop, North Tawton and Okehampton. Hatherleigh, who would normally also play, were unfortunately unable to raise a side this year. Each club had six players and the match consisted of two games of nine ends of mixed triples, with the clubs meeting different opposition each time.

A very welcome cup of tea, (or something a bit stronger) was provided after the first nine ends and the afternoon ended with sandwiches and a cream tea, provided by the lovely ladies of Bradworthy.

We’d like to thank to Brian Connold who calculated all the scores and overall rankings. The winning team was Holsworthy with 48 points. Okehampton took second place with 40 points, and third was Morchard Bishop with 30 points. Bradworthy and North Tawton were close behind with 28 and 26 points respectively.

All the games were played in great spirits, and the afternoon was enjoyed by all. The money raised by the event was donated to the Captain’s charity, North Devon Hospice Care.

Sunday 5th May Mayor’s Charity Day

Unfortunately the sun refused to shine for the Mayor’s Charity Day, and despite playing on in pouring rain, the games outside had to be abandoned at lunchtime. However the day was enjoyed in good spirit and raised funds for the Mayor’s Charities.

Green Surround Progress

A frosty January morning, and the composite boarding for the green surround is delivered from Cladco. Defying the cold, it was soon unloaded in readiness for installation.

As usual, behind the scenes, teas and coffees were supplied to the gallant workers.

And the first panels are soon in place.

Work on the Green Surround

The new green surround is now under construction and progressing well. The side nearest the garden has been shuttered and concreted, and the side closest to the car park has had all the concrete slabs removed and ready to be dug out and shuttered, in preparation to be concreted.

The three new sides will then be clad with a plastic composite cladding, which is totally rot proof, and then artificial grass will be attached to the cladding, to give a similar finish as before.

All of these new rot-proof materials, will replace the wooden boarding and soil, that, after years of Okehampton rain, had become completely rotten and finally disintegrated causing the ditch to collapse.

With this in mind this should be a one-off job and should never need replacing.

Ladies’ Christmas Lunch

The ladies had a good start to December with their Christmas lunch at the London Inn in Okehampton.

Sue presents Kay with a much-deserved

‘Most Improved Player’ Award.

Arthur’s Seat

Presentation of the Memorial Seat, in memory of Arthur Griffiths, who sadly passed away on 23.03.23.

The seat was donated by Linda Griffiths, Arthur’s wife, and presented to the Club on November 13th 2023.

The seat is made of recycled plastics and is completely maintenance-free.

Earlier in the year, Linda also generously presented the club with the Arthur Griffiths Memorial Cup.

The first Mixed Pairs competition to win the trophy was held on September 24th 2023 when it was won by Iris Gill and James Burdus, with Maria and Jon Randall worthy runners-up.