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MCWBA Tour to Gloucestershire 19^th to 24^th September 2011
While Patsy Walker guided the coach through the back doubles to avoid the North Circular road works President Phyllis and the rest of the tourists gathered at the Ramada Ealing. We were all aboard and cases loaded in no time at all and on our way to Gloucestershire. A short lunch stop at Oxford services and a lovely trip along the A40 saw us arriving at the Bowden Hall Hotel, Upton St Leonards just after two. Sally and a refreshing cuppa welcomed us in the lounge, whilst our cases were delivered to our rooms. The afternoon was spent unpacking, sampling the delights of the swimming pool and strolling round the grounds. Down to the lounge just before 7 then into dinner.  

We all adjourned to “our room” for the week for coffee and mints, the first of the fines, gathered by Cathy followed by a variety of board games or gentle chatter.  

The weather wasn’t good for our first match at Barnwood against the Barnwood Ladies and teams from other clubs. What a lovely green but it rained steadily, mascot Happy stayed indoors but waived a card with the number of the losing rink on it through the window, so we only played ten ends and retreated to the comforts of the clubhouse for tea and biscuits followed by other beverages and lots of laughter with our opponents whilst waiting for the coach. Back at the hotel the heating went on and the whites were left to drip over baths and radiators. The Tourists won by 6 shots (56 to 50), the winning rink skipped by Ann Barrett was Sally Woodhead, Phyllis Blakes, and Liz Dutton. This year the losing rink wore red bowler hats with a ribbon “Its not the winning it’s the playing that counts” and “MCWBA Tour 2011” from dinner to after breakfast; Marie Henderson, Pat White, Jacquie Elkin and Pearl Emmett were the Barnwood Red Hatters.  

Wednesday saw us stuck on the roadside in the middle of the countryside, coach with a broken hosepipe, waiting for another coach to take us to Cheltenham on a blustery, chilly but dry day meant we only played 18 ends and we lost by 23 shots. This was another lovely green of good pace and a strong opposition; our arrival some 45 minutes late coupled with last minute team changes must have unsettled us! A great raffle and yet more friendly folk soon raised our spirits and we headed home for dinner. Top rink was a topsy-turvy side with Irene Barber, lead followed by Phyllis Blakes, Patsy Walker and skipped by Cathy Taylor. Happy moved between several rinks but spent longest with, Red Hatters Miriam Macdonald, Mary Jutsum, playing at her old club, Joyce Findlater and Jacquie Elkin.  

The sun was shining as we took an early coach to Tewkesbury for a walk around the Abbey before the game. It was still out when we got on the green but couldn’t hold the rain clouds off and just as the local schools came out to the adjacent fields for well supported cross country racing, the heavens opened and we called it a day at 18 ends.

Tewkesbury was another lovely fast green with a great swing and another bunch of friendly ladies again from several clubs. Our winning rink, Maureen Harris, Val Hillyer, Betsy Ledner and Pam Hughes took a flyer, winning by 28 shots to 6. It was touch and go as to who would get the red hats but Pearl ’s team had the “honour” and Betty Hainey, President Phyllis and Stella donned the hats along with Pearl .  

The representative County match against Gloucestershire was at Pineholt BC , a lovely club set in the heart of a newish housing estate, the roads of which caused some problems for the coach driver. The sun shone throughout with lots of friendly bowlers there to watch and to play but the green was very wet and tender so we were all very careful! I don’t know how we did it but we won by ten shots spoiling Gloucestershire’s record of winning all their games this year. Two teams had the same shot difference but Mary Jutsum, Ann Bell, Ruby Cockman and Patsy Walker pipped Sally Woodhead, Bridget Almond, Jean Webber and Liz Dutton by one end to take the final top rink. Happy moved between rinks 4 and 5 but Marie Henderson, Stella Gough, Ann Barrett and Irene Barber were the eventual red hatters. Another great raffle and it was back to the hotel to prepare for the Best Dressed Bowl competition and the Gala Night.  

Gloucestershire President Iris and Secretary Margaret, our guest for the night had to get home then an hour’s journey to join us so we were a bit late going into the Lakeside Room, beautifully dressed with white clothed round tables and different coloured organza bows adorning each chair, for dinner. President Phyllis made a short speech of thanks to Gloucestershire for hosting our tour and presented gifts to President Iris and Secretary and special gifts to Happy’s carers, Nellie and Elkie. President iris gave Phyllis a memento of Gloucestershire and told a lovely story. Sally presented Phyllis with the tourists’ gift, an engraved crystal vase, which along with teddy bear, given to her by Pam and Val, named Sweetie, now sporting badges from Gloucestershire and each club we played, will bring back happy memories of a great fun filled tour. Everyone then made themselves comfortable with coffee and mints and the entertainment began. Audience participation in what is the last night anthem “I am a Music Man” followed by the Ashford Sisters rendition of “Sisters” set the house alight, a recitation followed and the stage set for “Swedish made Simple” an educational sketch that not only had some of the audience falling off their seats but the artistes as well, a few stories from the audience to give everyone time to cool down before another side splitting sketch by two old girls at a Bus Stop, calming poems prepared the audience for the finale, a classical music treat from the Middle Ensemble; “Jingle Bells” and “Old Macdonald had a Farm played on bells, which after several encores was followed swiftly by the ensemble’s rendition of Super Trooper.  

President Iris judged the best dressed bowl competition and bade farewell.  

The coach trip home saw the various prize winners announced and presented with their prizes: Wendy after a tie breaker with Pam and Val won the first quiz, Brenda and Carol, the second, Pearl won the Best Dressed Bowl, Sally won the top scoring individual and Marie won the lowest scoring individual prizes. Happy was raffled and was taken home by Liz. Patsy ran the winning rink “swindle” for all four games, which along with the fines, quiz entry fees and the raffle earned a goodly sum towards Phyllis’ charity. There was a quiz for folk to do on the coach that doesn’t have a prize but as it was the only thing Cathy won on tour she was presented with a high viz waistcoat with “Mummy’s Little Helper” emblazoned on the back!  

It was a great tour and we’re hoping everyone will sign up and make next year’s tour equally enjoyable. We’re off to Worcestershire, staying at a hotel in Bewdley, Kidderminster . There is a lot to do close by on days off and we’ll be visiting some fine and picturesque greens. Come and join us.
Jacquie

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MCWBA v Berkshire at Bury Lodge
A lovely sunny day saw us travelling to Bury Lodge for the first County match to be held there. A short walk through a lovely park and a warm greeting from the club members cheered both teams. It was a close fought game across all but one rink, Sandra Williamson, Chris Berry, who stepped in at literary the last minute, Edelweiss Somers and skip Marion Bushnell carried the day for Middlesex and took the top rink prize. President Phyllis presented Marigold Fortes with her Colts badge.
The Bury Lodge ladies provided a fine after match meal that was much appreciated by all. Middlesex 140 Berkshire 95

President’s Day
A fine day and a lot of friendly faces greeted us at Harefield Hospital Bowling Club for Phyllis’ President’s Day. The clubhouse was a hive of activity as Phyllis ably supported by her club mates prepared a wonderful buffet lunch. Fruit punch was served as we signed in to play or to watch and catch up on gossip. I’m not sure how anyone played as a chocolate fountain, with strawberries and marshmallows, had many a delegate, Past President and officer returning to the club house for a nibble!  

Out on the green for a spider with the President’s bowl being knocked off course by the eventual winner and then the round robin was off with lots of banter and friendly rivalry.  

It was great to look around the green and see fourteen past presidents, especially Elizabeth Douglas and Lindis Armstrong, having a chat and enjoying the day. Maureen Lawford worried us all by noting down all manner of misdemeanours and inevitably there were a few telltales just in case she missed any!  

A lovely meal, rounded off by the now famous Rushton white and milk chocolate strawberries preceded the presentation of the County gift to President Phyllis, her thanks to all the Delegates and the inevitable fines causing great laughter and raising money for Phyllis’s chosen charity.  

What great and supportive club mates Phyllis has; they worked from early morning to well after we all left to help make Phyllis’s Day such a great success. Thank you all.

MCWBA v Leicestershire at Broomfield
What a lovely day for the final County Match of 2011. Everyone arrived in time, although President Phyllis did a tour of the local clubs before finding Broomfield closely followed by Amy who went direct to the wrong club but arrived in time. Granddad wasn’t phased quickly settling down to a casual lunch and pint whilst enjoying the game!  

A lot of friendly banter rose from the green, aided on rink one by the aroma of fermenting apples from an adjacent garden, but nothing could disguise the fact that we were losing on all rinks.  

It didn’t get any better and we lost by 46 shots in the end. President Phyllis briefly threatened not to give a top rink prize but relented giving it to Kay Stockley, Dot Brown, Patsy Walker and Jacquie Elkin, as they only lost by one shot.  

The welcome from Broomfield club members was much appreciated and set the tone for the afternoon. A wonderful hot homemade chicken pie and vegetables was enjoyed by all but the piece de resistance was the selection of Cornetto and Magnum ice creams brought out on trays so everyone could “pick their own”. A silence descended on the room and the look of bliss on some of the faces, with the odd hiding of chocolate stained blouses was something to see.  

President Phyllis had great pleasure in presenting Sue Adams, Unbadged Singles Winner, with her County Badge and a photo was taken alongside some beautiful roses by the green.  

Many thanks to all the Broomfield folk who worked so hard to make the last game of the season such an enjoyable one.  MCWBA 94 Leicestershire 142
Reporter Jacquie Elkin.

MCWBA against Surrey at Croydon Municipal
What a battle on another good green and at a lovely club, unfortunately we lost to Surrey by 8 shots. Four rinks lost with two winning by a good margin but not enough, I’m afraid. Liz Dutton’s team of Isobel Morton, Lou Green and Nadine Mullins deservedly took the top Club prize with a 14 shot difference. Phyllis presented Audrey Cowlishall with her Colts badge and Dot Brown with her County Badge , congratulations to both.  MCWBA 116 Surrey 124  

MCWBA against Somerset at Wootton Bassett
Another loss for the County in this our second game against Somerset on the “half-way point” of Wootton Bassett. There were only 7 shots in a close fought match, which resulted in two rinks vying for top rink. Jacquie’s team of Pat Ketchen, Bridget Almond, Lee Parker won more ends to take the prize from June Goulds’ team of Rhoday Young, Shirley Morrissey and Rina Pharaoh.  

We arrived with enough time for some of the players to have a wander around the lovely town and some even managed a bargain buy at the same time.  

Wootton Bassett club is beautiful with a mass of hanging baskets and tubs that could rival Leamington . The meal was lovely and we had a good journey home.  MCWBA 101 Somerset 109  

MCWBA against Bucks at Iver Heath  What a great day, but we lost to Buckinghamshire by 27 shots, but a good time was had by all and the after match meal was lovely. Jean Staples and her team, Su Pocknell, Bridget Almond and Carol Stedman carried the top rink prize winning by six shots. President Phyllis presented Dawn Rooks, Unbadged Singles finalist, with her County Badge . Congratulations Dawn.  MCWBA 97 Buckinghamshire 124
Reporter Jacquie Elkin.

Kent at Orpington Excelsior on 15^th July 2011
What a lovely day and a very friendly club. It was a bit of a walk up a hill from the coach but club members ferried bowls bags and those that didn’t fancy the walk by car to the clubhouse where a welcoming cuppa was waiting for us all.

Everyone enjoyed the game, which was nip and tuck throughout but we managed to keep the lead and come out 113 shots to 101 winners.  

Due to a long arranged prior commitment President Phyllis was unable to attend the game so Past President and Yearbook Secretary Pat took the helm and had the greatest of pleasure in presenting Barbara Beedel, Diane Clark and Peggy Farmer with their Colts Badges. Well done Ladies.  

For the first time this year we had a tie for top rink so had to count the number of ends won to establish that Frankie Cable’s rink (Shirley Benham, Peggy Farmer and Pearl Emmett) had won more ends than Jean Webber’s rink (Janice Martin, Rena Ricketts, Val Van Baars) to take the top rink title for the day.  

A convivial after match meal was enjoyed by all, before we marched down the hill to the coach and home.
Reporter Jacquie Elkin.

Championship Singles (approx 2.00pm)
Unbadged Singles
Pairs
Fours

MCWBA v Dorset 29^th June 2011
What a great day and a lovely setting for a game of bowls. It was a bit of a walk to the green for everyone and the Dorset coach driver was not happy to park in the residential streets opposite the park so took himself off to South Mimms service station for the afternoon, all however was soon put right by the cheerful welcome and lovely cup of tea provided by the Grovelands ladies.

Grovelands’ President Jeff handed the green over to the County and after a few words of greeting the game commenced. The green was a joy to bowl on and the company was great. It was a close game across all the rinks but we pulled ahead to a 126 to 100 shots to win the game. Top Rink was Terri Watkinson, Val van Baars, Liz Dutton and Jacquie Elkin.

We all squeezed into the clubhouse and enjoyed a great tea accompanied by a glass of wine or fruit juice. The fruit jelly was lovely. Many thanks go the ladies and gentlemen of Grovelands for all their hard work in hosting their first County game. We do hope you will offer your rink for future events.

Walker Cup v Kent at Halls BC, Dartford on Sunday 26^th June
I’m afraid we were out bowled by Kent again but this year in the first round of the Walker Cup. We lost by 20 shots, the final scores being Middlesex 23 Kent 43.  

It was a close fought first half with one rink keeping the opposition in sight but trailing by a few shots and the other rink holding Kent at bay by a few shots but the second half saw their lead extending on the one rink and our lead on the other being whittled away over the last three ends played. Well done to both rinks, not only for trying so hard, but for playing in the high temperature. Thank you too, to all the folk who made the journey to support the team it was great to see you all.  

Halls BC is a lovely club and the green looked great I’m sure it played well too. The Halls ladies served tea and biscuits as we arrived and then came round selling ice creams during the match. All followed by a great tea, much appreciated by all.  

Reporter Jacquie Elkin

MCWBA v Oxford v Weather
On arrival at Harrow the car park was almost full but Marie Curry and I found a space only to discover the clubhouse was empty and there was going to be a problem. It began to rain and the club phone began to ring with folk asking where they could park. Directions were given and Harrow club members went to the park gates to direct folk. It rained a bit harder. A few Oxford ladies arrived and we found they were all coming by cars! The parking problem got bigger and the rain got heavier. Eventually both teams found somewhere to park with one intrepid player asking and being given permission to park on a local resident’s drive. The rain got heavier and looked set for the afternoon. Although Harrow’s green drains well neither side wanted anyone to slip whilst getting on and off the green or playing so disappointingly the match was called off and the teams sat down to some competitive card and Scrabble playing whilst the Harrow gentlemen manned the bar and the Harrow ladies did an absolutely brilliant job in preparing the meal in record time. What a lovely meal it was too, topped off with strawberries and cream on meringues. President Phyllis had the pleasant task of awarding Audrey Fisk her County Badge as one of the 2011 Two Wood Singles finalists. To cap it all the sun finally made an appearance as we left Harrow .

Many thanks go to the Harrow Club members for all their hard work preparing what looked like a good green and in providing liquid refreshments whilst bringing the meal forward to 3 o’clock . Such hard work and much appreciated.  

Reporter: Jacquie Elkin

MCWBA v MCBA
Sunday dawned dark and wet and did not improve but both teams made their way to Brentham squeezing into the car park and in surrounding street only to find that the Green keeper had asked us not to play. With the first round of the Johns Trophy a couple of days away and in all honesty very little desire amongst both teams to play in the wet we all adjourned to the bar for a drink and a chat. A shame, as it is the MCBA’s Centenary year, and the Ladies were looking forward to re-claiming the Trophy. For continuity the Presidents tossed for the game and as the MCBA won the toss they declared themselves the winners ignoring cries of “best of three”! 

A couple of brief speeches and presentation to the Ladies of the MCBA Centenary metal badge, followed by more friendly banter and we all made our way home. Many thanks to Brentham ladies, who were all ready to provide cups of tea before the start of the match.

Unfortunately with such busy calendars it has not been possible to re-arrange the match for 2011 so we wish the MCBA all the very best in the Middleton Cup and Balcomb Trophy and the rest of their Centenary year.

Johns Trophy first round against Hampshire
We all gathered at Yately BC , a fine club on a fine day to play the first round of the Johns. We were all greeted with cups of tea and whilst we were playing the spectators were able to partake of some stunning cakes provided by the Yately ladies. What a great atmosphere as Hampshire got off to a flying start: at 5 ends they were 26 shots ahead, at ten ends they were still 26 shots ahead and fifteen ends they were 14 shots ahead and with one end on one rink to go it was 112 to 112. What a nail-biting end there was a hush around the green. Everything rested on Irene Barber’s shoulders as she bowled the last bowl: Hampshire were holding match by a whisker, down came Irene’s wood only to be driven off course by a short wood to cruelly knock another Hampshire bowl in, resulting in a Hampshire win of 114 to 112 shots. After the match President Phyllis presented Sue Butcher with her Johns Trophy flash, congratulations Sue. Well done to the Johns squad for pulling back to such a close finish and many, many thanks to all of the folk who made the trip past the Ascot traffic to support us. A big thank you must also go to the Yately ladies for their hospitality and hard work providing a lovely meal after the match and refreshments for the spectators throughout the afternoon. Its back to the drawing board for the Selectors, with a lot of concerns about the league format in 2012.

County match against Sussex at Horsham
What a contrast to the lovely weather of the previous day, the coach dropped us off and we trooped into the Horsham Club over an hour early in increasingly overcast conditions.  With so much spare time a number of the team made the most of it and marched off to Bon Marche coming back with some great bargains. We started the game early hoping to beat the inclement weather but to no avail as it began to rain after the trial ends and persisted throughout the match with some short intervals lulling us into remove waterproofs only to put them on again a few minutes later. It was a tricky green that Sussex managed to find better than us so I’m afraid I have to report another loss; Sussex 125, Middlesex 102. With body well and truly dampened we all chatted our way through a nice after match meal followed by the presentation by President Phyllis of two Colts Badges to Wendy Broughton, Meadhurst and Elaine Putnam, Rosedale . Congratulations Wendy and Elaine.  Top rink went to Pam Hughes who skipped Cynthia Hay, Lulu Sierra and Nadine Mullins.
Reporter - Jacquie

Reports on the County Games Against Bedfordshire and Hampshire and the President’s Benevolent Day

Bedfordshire at Wilstead on 1^st June 2011
Once we got off the motorways it was a picturesque drive to Wilstead, a lovely club, ladies and green. We had an enjoyable game, winning by 120 shots to 94, with Jo White’s rink of Christine Briggs, Joan Kirk, Angela Martel walking away with the top rink prize. President Phyllis presented County Badges to Lou Green, West Ealing , Pat Taylor, Bishop Duppas and Eileen Williams, Hounslow Conservatives. The after match meal was braised beef, potatoes and cabbage followed by trifle, all of which was most enjoyable; just like the game! Thank you Wilstead.

President’s Benevolent Day
President Phyllis and the members of Harefield Hospital Bowls Club were up early on Sunday 5^th June and over to the club with the larks preparing for the Associations and the President’s Invitation Teams to descend. There was target bowls, guess the time the watch stopped, a wine and chocolate raffle and tombola to clear the mouths out of the purses! Following a wonderful buffet lunch the green was handed over Benevolent Secretary Pat White and President Phyllis said a few words, introduced their teams and left us to it. Unfortunately the rain didn’t coming down in the odd shower but nothing that daunted the banter and combat to win or retain the coveted plate. Back into the clubhouse and we all sat down to sausage or salmon, mash and mixed veg, all cooked by Karen Rushton at home and transported in thermal dishes to the club, followed by home made profiter rolls and cream. Very few of us missed out being fined, not only for touchers, wrong biase bowls and ditcher but the beady eye of Cathy Taylor picked up on some fun misdemeanours, causing much laughter to round the day off.  It was a wonderful day and made a good amount of money for the Benevolent Fund. One sad note was that the North London Association was unable to send a representative team. They missed out on a grand day. Well done Phyllis and the Harefield Hospital BC members and thank you for all your hard work: it really was appreciated by all who attended.

Hampshire at Pyestock on 7^th June 2011
Another jaunt down the M25 onto the M3 but we were soon at Pyestock and easily found our way through the pine trees to Pyestock Sports Club. We didn’t do so well this time losing by 103 shots to 136 but most everyone enjoyed each other’s company and the battle to find the green! We did manage a top rink; in fact we had two, which meant it was decided on ends won so Kay Stockley, Mary Jutsum, Marie Curry and Pam Hughes were declared the top rink. President Phyllis had much pleasure in presenting Colts badges to Monica Gallagher, Brentham, Linda Hawkins and Doreen White, both from Bush Hill Park .

Reports on the two Johns trials and the game against Essex
Johns Trial against Hertfordshire on 13^th May.
A fine day at Cockfosters saw the Johns squad, both players and reserves gathered at Cockfosters for the first of the two trials. A tricky green saw both squads struggling But Herts took the upper hand and claimed the game, however Phyllis decided it was a draw as we shared the rinks!
Many thanks to Cockfosters, for the after match meal and all the work preparing the green.  

Johns Trial against Suffolk on the 18^th May.
Another fine day found the squad and scrutineers at Staines . Another challenging green saw the squad rally over the last few ends securing a good win. It started to rain whilst we were enjoying a great meal provided by Staines . Having seen the Suffolk coach off Phyllis and I joined the rest of the Selectors for a lengthy meeting to select the players for the practice game and first round of the Johns.
Many thanks to Staines for all their hard work hosting the match and to the gentleman who had to wait whilst we discussed the squad before being able to lock up and get home after what must have been a long day.  

The practice match might well see a few tweaks but the squad members playing in the practice game and first Round of the Johns Trophy are:

Travelling Reserves in alphabetical order are:

Frankie Cable, Janice Fortune, Rina Pharaoh, Pat Walker

Non-Travelling Reserves in alphabetical order are:

Shirley Benham, Christine Briggs, Pearl Emmett, Cynthia hay, Rhoda Young  

The practice game against Tom Lawford’s invitation team is on Sunday 29^th May at Brentham starting at 10:30 and will be played over 15 ends.
The first round of the Johns Trophy, on Tuesday 14^th June, against Hampshire at Yately BC .  

The Walker Cup Team to play against Kent on 26^th June at Halls BC Kent will be:  

Travelling Reserves in alphabetical order are: Sued Bard-Bodek and Ann Barrett  

Junior International Trials
Sunday 22^nd May and members of the Executive were at Norgren BC , Shipston on Stour to support Amy Spry who had been selected for Junior trial. There were two sessions and Amy played three in both. Amy bowled very well in both games and we all thought she had a strong chance of being selected along with the skip from Kent who played some stunning shots but it wasn’t to be. Well done Amy you did the County proud and we look forward to you getting another chance in 2012.  

The County Match against Essex at Holtwhites.
The 25^th May saw the MCWBA gather at Holtwhites on a fine warm afternoon to greet Essex . A heavier than usual green took us all by surprise. We took a three point lead at five ends, were even at ten ends, six up at fifteen and held our heads to win by those six shots coming home at 104 shots to 98.  

A stunning cottage pie followed by fruit pie and custard kept everyone fairly quiet until the Presidents stood for their few words. They both thanked Patsy and the Holtwhite Ladies for the meal and as its is Patsy’s birthday on Saturday the entire company of bowlers and visitors sang “Happy Birthday”.  

REWARD: Lots of hard work, lots of fun, the making of many new friends and doing something for the County!

CONTACT: Jacquie for further information and have a chat with Past Presidents, Jean Webber, Pat White, Angela Martel, Ann Barrett, Irene Ellins etc. to learn about the experiences.

IMPORTANT date for Delegates: Council Meeting 15th April to pick up the yearbooks for your club.