It seems that the ladies of Ottery Bowls Club can’t stop winning, and long may it continue!

As well as a delegation from the club going up to Leamington to represent the county in the national finals, a team from the club entered a local invitation event organised by The Exonia Club.

The Babs Barlow trophy was duly handed over by The Exonia captain to the Ottery team consisting of Carol Keating, Eileen Burston, Gail Hawke and Terri Ward. Very well done ladies!

Saturday, July 23 was President’s Day at Ottery St Mary Bowling Club and yet another fantastic occasion to celebrate this wonderful sport, a great tradition in the British summer.

This special event is an opportunity to get together as a group and thank all the volunteers who help the club so assiduously throughout the year.

This year’s president, Norman Lawrence, decided that he wanted to treat all the members to a meal, so he involved all his family with help from club members Ann House and Russell Brockington, to prepare a wonderful two-course meal that was enjoyed by all the members at the halfway point in the afternoon bowling session. There are not many sports where the competition is splendidly sandwiched by some great food.

Because it was an afternoon of bowls rather than an actual match, the players were organised into teams and a round robin tournament was played, At the end of the day, the winners with the best score advantage proved to be Jo Hawes, Gerard McCarthy and Steve Hall. Norman was delighted by the success of the afternoon, which I am sure will be one of the most memorable events of the season, and will also be remembered for many years to come.

Not only is the game of Bowls a competitive sport, but it is also a very social sport that can be enjoyed by ladies and gentlemen of all ages, and it is a game in which laughter and conversation run hand in hand with actually playing.