CREDITON’S Town Crier laid the first wood of the season to launch the new season for Crediton Bowling Club on Saturday, April 21.

Kevin Payne received a round of applause after his wood came to rest close to the jack.

Ringing the bell before Kevin’s speech was his son, Nate, aged five years.

Mr Payne said: “My lords, ladies and gentlemen, front ends, markers, leads and skips.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this event, the opening day of Crediton Bowls Club.

“As a resident of Crediton and frequent visitor to Newcombes Meadow, it is very clear that Crediton Bowls Club is a popular club and I am very grateful to you all for the invitation to attend today.

“With my wife being a keen bowler, I have seen first-hand what a skilful, engaging and enjoyable game bowls is, what tireless work goes into supporting and running a club and what a close-knit community is shared by all those involved.

“So, before I have the honour of bowling the first wood, I would just like to wish all of Crediton Bowls Club members a happy and successful season filled with hot shots and touchers and I will do my very best to ensure that my first bowl is on the kitty…or at least within a half mile radius.

“So, without further ado, it is my very great pleasure to announce that Crediton Bowling Club is now officially open for the 2018 season.

“God Save the Queen.”

Following the opening, there was the usual “spider” competition, all 56 members present taking part, and in aid of Prostate Cancer, chosen by Mark Theedom, president.

Eric Flower bowled his wood nearest the jack to win the prize.

Then followed a short game of bowls for members and the traditional bowlers tea.

TASTER SESSIONS

Taster Sessions as in previous years, are to be run to encourage anyone who might like to try out bowling to go down to “have a go”! 

Taster Days are as follows: Tuesday, May 1, Tuesday, May 8, Saturday, May 12 and Friday, May 25 from 10am to 12.30pm.

All the sessions are free and people of all ages and abilities are welcome. Club coaches and members will be on the green to help and there will be time for tea, coffee and a chat.

Everyone is welcome, all you require is flat shoes. Any further queries should be made to the Crediton Bowling Club secretary on 01363 772943.

Crediton Bowling Club has more than 100 bowling members and in excess of 20 social members.

The club was founded in 1931 in the grounds of Newcombes Meadow, where it still thrives.

A new clubhouse was built to accommodate the members, part of which is still in use.

During the Second World War the clubhouse was occupied by both the Gaumont Picture Company and later by the Army, although bowling continued during this time.

The new clubhouse was officially opened in 1992.

In the early 2000’s the club had been expanding quite quickly and new facilities were required to keep pace with growth. In 2007 club members designed and built an extension to the club which included a new men’s changing room, a toilet for the disabled, an extended main club room, extended kitchen and extended ladies’ changing facilities.

This was built with the help of Lottery funding. The new clubhouse was opened at the start of the 2008 season.

New members are welcome to join the club and all ages are welcome.

Crediton Bowling Club is affiliated to both Bowls Devon and Bowls England and its members are entitled to enter both county and national competitions as well as club competitions.

The outdoor season starts in April and runs through to September each year. Social events run from October to March on Friday evenings and involve a range of activities. A water sprinkling system was installed last year.

More pictures relating to this article can be found in print in the current issue of the Crediton Courier, Issue 1178, dated April 27. Please visit your local outlets for your copy.

All back-dated digital issues of the Crediton Courier dating from issue August 9, 2009, can be found in our digital archive, a link can be found at the top of this page.