AVON BOWLING CLUB
The Club enjoys strong links with the local community, and we organise an annual fund-raising event to support local charities. Since the Mayor of Stratford is the Club President, we enjoy an annual fixture against the Mayor and Town Hall staff. The Club is very fortunate to have the support of generous sponsorship from local businesses. We also have Open Days at the Club when the River and Dragon Boat Festivals take place.
On becoming a full member you may wish to have your own key which will unlock both the entrance gate at the Club and also the entrance door to the Clubhouse, which is on the left immediately after you have passed through the gate. A key can be ordered from the Club Membership Secretary, and there is a (returnable) deposit payable, currently £15.
If you do come for a roll-up, and wish to gain access to the equipment store, you will first need to open the door at the main gate end of the Clubhouse and go towards the kitchen at the other end of the Clubhouse. As you enter the kitchen, look to the left and you will see all the keys hanging on a board which has labelled hooks. The equipment store and toilet facilities are round the corner adjacent to the flagpole. Bowls stickers are usually available from the Bar or from a small box on the top of the bookshelf near the entrance door adjacent to the kitchen.
Opportunities to play:
We play friendly mixed matches against local and touring sides from April through to September.
The Club fields two Men’s teams in the Pickering Triples League, with the matches being played on most Wednesday afternoons throughout the Season. The Ladies also have a Triple in the Stratford Herald Ladies League, which is played on Friday evenings in July and August. There is also a comprehensive calendar of Ladies friendly matches which normally take place on a Monday afternoon.
The Club is also a member of the Kineton & District League [KDL], which provides a full programme of home and away mixed matches against local clubs. These normally take place early evening throughout the summer usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
There are also opportunities for skilled bowlers (Men and Ladies) to play representative matches for the Kineton & District League [KDL], South Warwickshire Bowling Association [SWBA], South Warwickshire Ladies Bowls Association [SWLBA], Warwickshire Vice-Presidents (Mixed), Warwickshire County Bowling Association [Men and Ladies Sections].
In addition to Club Competitions, players may also (if they wish) enter Competitions run by the KDL, SWBA, and County and National Competitions. Details of these are circulated to all members at the appropriate time.
Internal Club Competitions are run throughout the summer ending with the finals taking place in September at which all the Competitions are completed, and trophies presented to the winners. Everyone is encouraged to enter these Competitions which usually start in May. Please don’t enter if you can’t make the agreed finals date.
The Green is generally available for practice at any time after 11.00 hrs., EXCEPT (a) when moving of the green is scheduled, and (b) on those occasions when rinks have been reserved for Matches and Competitions. Please consult the Rink Booking Diary, which is kept in the Clubhouse on the bookshelf to the right of the main entrance door, to check on possible use of any rinks.
Community Bowls Sessions:
Please refer to the separate document which explains more about this aspect of Club life. Members often attend these sessions for roll-ups and practice.
Helping at the Club:
The operation of any bowling club involves a large amount of effort by individual members and we ask that you try to assist in some or all areas where possible.
Returning equipment used on your rink when a match is completed (e.g. mats, scoreboards, jacks, measuring rods and marking blocks) is also much appreciated.
Supporting the Green Sub-Committee by weeding, looking after the plants, watering the gardens and pots, grass cutting and hedge pruning.
Set up and serve refreshments for some home fixtures.
Assist in tidying the Club House after home fixtures.
Costs of Playing:
Match Fees will apply for ALL Matches - home and away.
Social Events:
From time to time the Committee organise social events ~ some of these will be included on the Club Calendar and other ideas are also being discussed. These will be publicised well in advance.
Communications:
The Club has an excellent website, which provides, amongst other things, information about forthcoming events, photographs of Club activities, items of news, and also provides the opportunity for members to offer themselves for selection to play in. If you can’t use the website to show your availability, then please make the Captain of the match aware of your availability. Details of teams selected for matches are displayed on the Club website and in the Club.
Most of the members of the Club use e-mail, which is the preferred method of communication.
A Diary for booking a rink or rinks for Competitions is available in the Clubhouse and is usually kept on top of the shelves near the main door; this Diary also shows details of all Club Matches. Members are encouraged to use this when arranging to play their Competitions.
If you are transported to a match in a member’s car, it would be appreciated if you offered to pay the driver a contribution towards fuel and running costs.
At most matches (except Pickering League) there is a Raffle. The number of tickets available for the usual charge of £1 does vary. Donations of suitable prizes for Raffles are always very much appreciated for our home matches and should be handed in at the Bar when it is open.
Storage shed for members bowls bags.
Members can store bowls etc. in the shed next to the equipment shed at their own risk.
March 2024