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 mid season. There is also a comprehensive calendar of Ladies friendly matches which normally take place on a Monday afternoon home & away.
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], 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 mowing 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 and Club Fixture Card which are kept in the Clubhouse to check on possible use of any rinks
Community Bowls Sessions
Throughout the summer, the Club welcomes everyone to come along on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for a fun, friendly, recreational game of bowls. For a small fee, equipment and light refreshments are provided, and if you're experiencing the game for the first time Club Members are on hand to provide basic coaching and support.
<for more information, please go to the Community Bowls page>
Helping at the Club
The operation of any bowling club involves a large amount of effort by individual members and we expect that all Members 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 Club 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 and volunteering for the cleaning rota
Costs of Playing
Match Fees will apply for ALL Matches - home and away.
Social Events
From time to time the Committee organise social events ~ these will be publicised in advance and details included on the Club Calendar.
Communications
The Club website 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.
Avon Bowling Club Parking Arrangements
<for more information, please go to the Car Parking page>
Storage shed for members bowls bags
Members can store bowls etc. in the shed next to the equipment shed at their own risk.