For the second year in a row, Sidmouth Bowls Club is supporting the Rotary Club in their Christmas Appeal, writes Carol Smith.

The Rotarian fronting the appeal is Councillor Mike Goodman, who brought along the ‘Presents Box’. The presents required are toys for children of all ages and non-perishable goodies to make up Christmas Food Hampers. 

Several other Rotarians came along with Mike to try their luck at bowling and our chief coach Allan Davis gave them all an insight to this great game.

The debutants were helped by four coaches: Allan and Karen Hollingdale, plus newly qualified level one coaches Dougie  Rowlinson and Patrick Collins. Later, they were served a Devon cream tea by Sue and Lynn, before John Brennan won the top bowls prize for the day.

We welcomed a team from South Dorset Bowling Association for a friendly on three mixed rinks and what a lovely afternoon we all had. Of the three rinks, we actually only won on one, but luckily they won by enough to cover our losses. Well done to Lynn Pike, Ron Clint, Anita Mason and skip Sue Turner with a great score of 26 – 8, making the overall score Sidmouth 50 South Dorset 41.

Two ladies triples travelled to play our friends at Budleigh Salterton. It was really good to see old friends and former rivals in County Competitions. Our rink of Carol Timms, Anita Mason and skip Jill Bishop lost by just one shot at 13 - 14. However, the rink of Lynn Pike, Sue Clint and yours truly had a great win of 25 – 6, giving us an overall win of Sidmouth 38 Budleigh 20 .

Next came a mixed friendly against Feniton and, once again, great to see familiar faces. The score was in Sidmouth's favour, an overall win of 47 -40. We had one rink that lost by just one shot, another that drew and our lady Captain’s rink winning by eight shots, so very well done to Simon Gregory, John Quinton-Navarro, Julie Wevill and skip Marie Timms, 19 -11.