ROTHER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!
Yes, we are officially the CHAMPIONS of the Rother Summer League for 2025!!!. This is the 2nd time in 3 years that we have won the League. What a great achievement - especially when you consider that early in the season we had two heavy defeats of 10-0 and 8-2 but after that we did not lose another League game. A huge "THANK YOU" goes to our Captain, Ian, who has steered us all season, and to all those that have played - not just in the League games, but in all games as winning any game builds convidence right across the club. One of the things that we can also feel proud of, is the way we have won the games, being competative but also being able to have a laugh with the opposition and not taking ourselves too seriously. WELL DONE ALL!!
AMERICAN PAIRS 2025:
Monday, September 1st saw 32 players from all over Kent and Sussex descend on the club to compete for the 32nd Tony Monk American Pairs competition, sponsored by Fuzion4 of St Leonards. In anticipation of heavy rain the front of the clubhouse was covered in gazebos but as it was, only one short heavy shower interupted play - thankfully. The four finalists were Gerry Butler, Marion Francis, Rona Mitchell and Esme Penn, who entertained the crown to an excellent final. This year's winner was Esme Penn (Wetfield BC) with Gerry Butler (Hawkhurst BC) 2nd; Marion Francis (Hastings BC) 3rd, and Rona Mitchell (Hawkhurst BC) 4th. Huge thanks go to all the club's volunteers for ensuring everyone had a great day. (See pictures on the Photo Galleries Page)
FINALS DAY 2025:
Saturday, August 23rd, saw this year's Finals Day played in, what can only be described as, "a beautiful day", compared to last year's torrential rain! The seven finals were spread over the whole day with an excellent lunch provided, as always, by club volunteers. This year's Finals Day was sponsored by Wannops Solicitors. Winners were: Club Champion: Duncan Archbold; Men's Champion: Philip Wells; Ladies Champion: Tracey Greenfield; 100 Up: Chris Simmons; Handicap: Ian Grant; Junior Cup: Kevin Baker; Drawn Pairs: Chris Simmons & Jason Murton. (See pictures on the Photo Galleries Page)
BOB COOPER TROPHY:
This event was another fantastic example of HOCBC coming together to spend a really enjoyable afternoon playing lawn bowls. Bob Cooper was a stalwart of the club for many years serving as club captain and winning many internal competitions as well as league success.This was the fourth playing of the trophy in his memory. The competition was two woods; three games of six ends in three balanced groups of six. The 100 Up method of scoring was used to accrue points.At the end of play Group A was headed by Ian Grant with 49 points, Group B was won by Clive Stannard with 47 and Mary Forsythe topped Group C with 40. Ian was awarded a small prize for achieveing the highest score of the day.The three group winners played off for the title, one end of two woods each.Mary led, Clive was next and Ian followed. Mary's first bowl was a couple of yards past, Clive went into the ditch and Ian was in a useful place. Mary's second bowl was nearer to the jack, Clive hit the jack and followed it in bringing it close to both of Mary's bowls; Ian's second was wide. So the final score was Mary 5pts, Clive 4pts and Ian 1pt. Bob's sister, Margaret Stannard presented the trophy to Mary.
COCK OF THE GREEN:
Bad weather severely reduced the entries to this year's Cock of the Green competition. Eight randomly drawn pairs each played four games of four ends and the pairing who scored the highest number of ends played off for the title. Malcolm Sealby and Di Jefferson contested the shoot out; with Di triumphing. President Doreen Swain presented the prizes and the Cock of the Green trophy to Di. Once again it was a very enjoyable afternoon with the whole club contributing to the success of the event.
DOREEN SWAIN TRIPLES TROPHY:
On Friday, July 11th, the club welcomed triples from clubs from all over Sussex & Kent to compete for the Doreen Swain Triples Trophy. The weather was set fair and the bowls was of the highest quality, and played in a relax but competitive atmosphere. The players were treated to an excellent lunch with tea and cakes provided later in the afternoon. President Doreen, presented the prizes to this year's winners who were Pett BC with Northiam BC second and Guesting BC in third place. A big thank you goes to New Spice Indian Restaurant, Robertsbridge, for sponsoring another excellent day for the club. (Pictures of the day can be seen on the Gallery Page of the website).
EDDY OLIVER TROPHY WINNERS:
The winners of this year's Eddy Oliver Trophy, played on Saturday, May 31st, were (l to r): Darren Wells, Dave Renno and Dan Hunt.
VOLUNTEERS HARD AT WORK
If you every wondered what went on at the club in the winter months - this is it! All the ditch boards on the left hand side of the green have had to be replaced and in order to do that all the paving slabs have had to be lifted as well and then re-laid. A huge undertaking with the winter weather not helping. Huge thanks go to Clive, Ian, Mick, Gordon, Pauline & John and Tracey (and sometimes myself!) for turning up every week to carry out much needed maintenance work at the club.
CHARITY DONATION TO SENSORY SOFT PLAY
Just before Christmas it was my pleasure to hand over a cheque for £266 to Lisa and Jamie Henderson who run Sensory Soft Play based in Hastings. The money was raised by the club at a Charity Bowls Day in the summer and a charitable donation given to the club for some old equipment that was no longer required. Sensory Soft Play is a Sussex-based charity that supports parent carers’ of children and young people with SEND in Hastings and the surrounding areas. They provide respite sessions on a Saturday, Holiday Clubs, funded trips out, and an on-line support Facebook page. Their activities include multi-sensory experiences, arts and crafts activities, forest school and soft play. They also have a Sensory Room and Soft Play Area that can be hired out by the hour.
https://www.sensoftplay.co.uk/about-us/
SEASON 2025 COMMITTEE:
The Committee for the 2025 season will be: President: Doreen Swain; Chairman: Malcolm Sealby; Vice Chairman: Chris Simmons; Secretary: Pauline Lippitt; Captain: Ian Grant; Vice Captain: Phil Wells; Treasurer: Stan Woolford; Fixture Secretary: Jean Stammers; Competitions Secretary: Peter Knight; Head Greenkeeper: Mick Burt; General Committee Members: Tracey Greenfield, Dianne Jefferson, Karen Lambrechs.
PRESENTATION LUNCH:
The 2025 Presentation lunch will onced again be held at The Robin Hood public house in Icklesham, on Friday, October 17th
(For pictures of the 2024 lunch and presentations please see Photo Gallery)
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS WITH THE CLUB:
On Friday, July 12th, 2024 the club celebrated the 50th (yes 50!) anniversary of our beloved President, Doreen, joining the club. What an achievement. It did come as a bit of a surprise for her as we had managed to keep the whole event a secret from her. The inaugural Doreen Swain Triples Tournament was played for by 12 clubs from all over Kent and Sussex and was won by Staplecross. Doreen was presented with a number of gifts to celebrate and remember her 50 years. (For pictures please see Photo Gallery)
WEB SITE:
If you have any suggestions for improving the site please let me know.
SPONSORSHIP:
As always the club is still looking for a major sponsor(s). If you know of any individual or company that may be interested please let someone on the Committee know.
