Jan 2024 - Our Bowls Gazette

CELEBRATING OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY

In 1999, the Ottery St. Mary Short Mat Bowls Club officially came into existence -

and here we are 25 years later, still bowling and enjoying every minute! It was the

British Legion that first started a short mat bowls club in Ottery but with the

Legion’s blessing the Club became independent in 1999 and has thereafter been

known as the Ottery St. Mary Short Mat Bowls Club.

Over the years, members have come and gone but we still remain one of the

biggest clubs in East Devon. In the past our membership has included Devon

County players, England players, coaches and a National Umpire.

We have raised many hundreds of pounds for local charities in the past, the most

recent beneficiaries have been the Devon Air Ambulance and Hospicecare. We

have also provided money for The Institute to buy a new fridge and defribullator

which is now hanging in the kitchen, ready for action.

We must have entertained every Short Mat Bowls Club in East Devon several times

over both in friendly matches and Leagues we have played in. Last year we won

the Summer League run by the Broadclyst Club but our progress in this years

Winter League is a bit sluggish. Never mind, you can’t win them all but we still

enjoy playing, win or not.

To start our celebrations this year, we are having a lunch at the Hare and Hounds

on 13th February, 12.30 for 1.00. All members, past and present are invited to join

us. Please contact Lynn on 07970 686861. No deposit required, just pay as you

go.

We will hold our usual internal tournaments starting soon and in the summer and

early autumn we hope to hold two Open Tournaments in honour of our founder

members. The first will be known as the Founders’ Challenge Trophy and the

second, to be held later in the year will be the Ron Berry Challenge Cup. Ron is a

founder member of the club and our present Honorary President. We will end the

year with a presentation evening somewhere with a skittle alley.

We always welcome new members with three free sessions to get the feel of the

game before we ask you to join. You are able to borrow the clubs bowls during this

period but we do ask that you wear flat soled shoes or socks. This is to protect the

mats as they are expensive to replace. The joining fee is only £11 a year and £2 for

every session, including coffee/tea and a biscuit. If you are interested, come to The

Institute on Monday - 7.00 - 10.00pm or Wednesday 10.00am till 12.00 noon.