New Season Under Way For Burpham Bowling Club

Published on: 29 Apr, 2019
Updated on: 29 Apr, 2019

Report by Ian Mackrell

Having just secured agreement with Guildford Borough Council for a 25-year lease and a larger clubhouse, Burpham is expanding its membership.

Why not come along on Sunday, May 5, from 10am to 1pm, and have a try at bowling. Just turn up and give it a go. Flat shoes is all we ask – coaching and equipment will be provided.

On Saturday, April 27, 36 bowlers turned out to mark the opening of the new season.

A rather cold quartet. From left: Sue Gorman, Dougie Stewart, Alan Hughes and an inquisitive Derek Keen.

Such enthusiasm, on such a horrible day, augers well for both the coming season and the future of our club.

The day was rounded off by the traditional cold buffet – and what a spread there was. The tables were struggling to hold the weight of fine fare on offer and John Rowland behind the bar was also do roaring business.

It was a delight to see that Burpham has bowlers in their twenties and late eighties playing for fun, and vying for places in our elite league teams.

Here’s John Wilkinson, yes 89 years old, in full flow on April 27.

On the rink your contributor was playing, 86-year-old Rod Spencer and 89-year-old John Wilkinson showed the younger folk how to master the ghastly conditions. Well done John and Rod.

The weather didn’t improve much for our first, home, friendly, on Sunday April 28. We hosted, as usual for the first match, Ottershaw, in a game over four triples.

Like most years, Burpham started the season with a win – Burpham 68 Ottershaw 57.

The bowling green is playing extremely well. It looks like Burpham will, once again, have the green to be envied by all local clubs. It’s a privilege to play at Burpham – well done Guildford Borough Council’s greenkeepers.