Friendlies - Knyveton Gardens Bowling Club, Bournemouth Dorset

FRIENDLIES

Bowling Tour to Isle of Wight 22nd - 25th April 2019

Isle of Wight Tour Photographs

On a warm Easter Monday 22nd April 2019 morning, the Tour Party assembled in the car park at the Lymington Car Ferry to the Isle of Wight. Greetings were exchanged as members congregated outside the ferry terminal café sipping excellent creamy Latte’s.

The intended travelling group was 33 members but unfortunately, a couple were unable to make the tour as Friday one of our lead bowlers had fallen awkwardly on the beach during a sand castle build, injuring his back. Arrangements were made before we travelled for the host clubs to loan us a player.

As ferry boarding commenced Tour organizer Paul became concerned over the non-arrival of two cars transporting five tourists. While driving on board a text received to advise both vehicles had travelled on the earlier ferry, instant FINES for all five passengers!

This therefore set the scene for a week of fun and fines based upon miss demeanours of varying kinds. Ably policed by Richard and the many “informers”, President Jim had an almost full charity box by the end of the week. Members were even being fined on the final morning for not being fined the previous four days!

Everyone made it by various routes to the car park at the Shanklin Beach Hotel, located on the sea front esplanade at Shanklin. Although an older Hotel it was clean with reasonable food for breakfast and evening meals, plus very helpful staff. They also provided after dinner entertainment, guitarists/singers of various competences and a one game Bingo. We sang along when a song was recognised and we had one Full House winner at the bingo, a great round of drinks was enjoyed. Not all sea view rooms but even those with a view of the carpark at the rear of the hotel became quieter as the week progressed!! Read on.

Tuesday morning after breakfast a Crazy Golf session attracted a number of entrants with two main groups of players. Despite Wilko taking a significant lead Mo and Barrie eventually won their respective group; Paul being pipped by Barrie at the final hole when his golf ball was somehow caught in the very large water (river) trap!

When returning the bats to the kiosk a discussion with the course owner about our visit ensued. We then discovered that the esplanade road works taking place further up the (dead end) road from the hotel were on all week. The section in front of the hotel and the entrance/exit of the carpark to be closed the next day for the rest of the week!!

That morning and every morning after was spent liaising with the leader of the work party on their schedule and were we could park our vehicles each evening. We then updated the hotel staff; they were struggling with a coach party from South Wales.

The bowling went well and although it rained Wednesday morning the three games were played in dry conditions.

Results:

Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at Camp Hill BC - WON 111 - 99

Wednesday 24th April 2019 at Plessey BC - WON 135 - 97

Thursday 25th April 2019 at Cowes Medina BC - LOST 113 - 115

On Tour awards are presented to the highest and lowest scoring Rinks in each game. The four members of the bottom rink received a (large and bright) Bow Tie each and at the final game the bottom Rink received a (similar) larger Tie each. The recipients’ required to wear their awards at the next two hotel meals and admirably did so. Each Top Rink player was presented with an inscribed Fridge Magnet and was free to stick them where ever they wished.

Points were awarded to all Rink members from the Top Rink to the Bottom Rink in each game. This resulted in Jenny winning the Top Lady Bowler award and Reg the Top Men’s Bowler with maximum points! Well done to both, Jenny in her first season of taking up bowling and Reg, who had manly worked through the Tour with a nasty cold following his and Helen’s mountain trekking the previous week in Snowdonia.

The Tour Party enjoyed a wine reception at the hotel prior to dinner on the final Thursday evening. Following dinner we held a tremendously well sponsored raffle (from tour members) raising substantial funds for the club, thank you to everyone.

Fines on the final day went to Paul for going down to breakfast one hour early, excuse claimed to be the heavy night before celebrating the raffle and Ian’s 70th birthday. Others caught were the passengers in the three vehicles who boarded the earlier ferry back to the mainland. They were unaware of their last minute involvement until their next visit to Knyveton. Fine rules were Lymington Ferry Car Park to Lymington Ferry Car Park.

Many thanks to the volunteers for looking after: Fines; Raffle; Club Flag and the three Captains of the Day. Namely, in order of appearance: Richard; Ron/Tim/Mike; Jefferson; Tony/Robin/Wilco PLUS, thanks to the whole Tour party that helped to make the week so enjoyable.