2024
2024 December
Last indoor bowls sessions at the Manor Hotel before Christmas
Ladies Christmas Lunch at the London Inn, Okehampton
Almost 30 of the lady members enjoyed another Christmas lunch at the London Inn.
Followed by the presentation of the Cup for Most Improved Player. This year the award went to Maria Randall.
2024 November
Visit to Charlie Bears in Launceston
Because the Clubhouse is currently undergoing its building work, the November winter social was a relaxing visit to Charlie Bears at Launceston instead. This, followed by lunch at Strawberry Fields, made a very pleasant day out.
2024 After the snow, rain and melt water — East Okement in Simmons Park — November 24th
2024 Early snow hits Okehampton — November 21st
photos: Nigel Joy
2024 A little bit of autumn sunshine in Simmons Park
November 2024
In case you were wondering where all the stuff from the Changing Rooms went…
photos: John Mansell
November 2024 New extension takes shape
New partition walls are built.
photos: John Mansell
October 2024 Work starts on the Clubhouse extension
Partition walls are removed and the space cleared.
photos: John Mansell
2024 End of the Season
The greenkeepers, professional and volunteers, make a start on preparing the green for the winter.
2024 Final Friendly of the Season
At last, the sun shone and the skies were blue for the last Friendly of the season against North Tawton on Saturday 14th September.
Playing a 4-rink match of Mixed Triples, we unfortunately lost, 53 to 59.
New Equipment Store Almost Completed
Part of the show of flowers in the borders around our green
2024 Mayor’s Charity Day
Sadly, despite attempting to play on in pouring rain, the Charity day was cut short by Okehampton’s infamous weather.
However, the day was enjoyed by all participants, and successfully raised money for the Mayor’s charities.
The 2024 Season begins
March 2024 Groundworks completed, the Store begins to take shape
A quick update on the progress on the new Machinery and Green Equipment Store
Simmons Park in early Spring 2024
2023
November 2023 Club Members on tour in Dorset
2023 Club Finals 26th – 28th August
2022
2022 Club Finals 27th – 29th August
2021
2021 Club Finals 28th – 30th August
2019
Christmas 2019
July 2019 — OCRA Fun and Ladies’ Day
April 2019 — Opening Day
March 2019 — President’s Day
2018
Christmas 2018
July 2018 – Ladies’ Day
photos: Arthur Griffiths
June 2018 – Wonnacott Shield
photo: Arthur Griffiths
June 2018 – Friendly v Bideford
photos: Arthur Griffiths
May 2018 – Ben Pook Cup
photos: Arthur Griffiths
April 2018 – Opening Day
photos: Arthur Griffiths
2017
Sept 2017 — Pub League
July 2017
May 2016
Sept 2016 – Pub League
1970s
Leslie Day was born in Okehampton and started bowling with Okehampton Simmons Bowling club in 1926, when he was 19. He bowled for 50 years until the time of his death in 1976. He was captain of OSBC and regularly bowled for Devon too. In the 1975 season, he won all the clubs cups for singles, championship and handicap, a feat only achieved once before in the club history by Mr Charles King
1960s
With thanks to Jayne Joy for researching these photos.
1961 English Women’s Bowling National Championships
A newspaper report read: “Okehampton Women’s Success. Mesdames Taylor, Westlake, Hubber and Bellamy have brought distinction on the Okehampton Simmons Bowling Club (Ladies Section) by their success in reaching the final of the Devon County Ladies rinks. They are now qualified to go forward to compete in the England Ladies Bowling Association tournament to be played at Wimbledon in August 1961. This is a great achievement for Okehampton ladies, being the first occasion in the history of OSBC (Ladies Section) that such a high honour has come their way.”
1950s
With thanks to Jayne Joy for researching these photos.
Okehampton Simmons Bowling club Presidents’ Day 17th July 1957
Front row: Miss Dobbs, Mrs Whale, Mrs Bellamy, Mrs Smale, Mr Smale (President), Mrs V Hubber, Mrs E Westlake, Mr A Stinchcombe.
2nd Row: Mrs King, Mrs Taylor, Mr Weaver, Mr Crocker, Mrs May, Mrs Edgecombe, Mr Vanstone, Mr Bellamy.
3rd Row: unknown, unknown, Mr L Day, Mr H Weaver, Mr G Hubber, Mr D Travers, Mr R Roberts, Mr L Jordan, Mr Ball.
4th Row: unknown, Mr J Vernon, Mr F Barlow, Mr N Bates, Mr J Mills, Mr R Cox, Mr J Soper, Mr R Mills.
Okehampton Simmons Bowling Club opening by the Mayor WF Brock on the 27th of April 1955
Looking on with interest are:
Back left to right: Mrs V Hubber, Mrs I Taylor, Mr B Weaver Mr H Weaver, Mr C King, G Pearsey, Mr. Whale, C Bellamy, Mrs. Whale, W Collins, Mr Percy, Mrs. Brock (Mayoress), the Travers, B Roberts.
Group at right: L Jordan, A Smale, C O’Brien, Mr Hill, J Vanstone, A Stinchcombe.
Seated: E Westlake, D May, A Bellamy, Mrs. King, Mr W. May, Mrs Sparks and Miss Dobbs
1940s
1930s
General Club Views
Autumn in Simmons Park
(Photographs by John Mansell & Brian Rogers)
Okehampton Town Views
