News

4-3-2 competition

The President presents cheques to Hilary Metcalfe of Fair HavensHospices and Frank Rush of Essex Air Ambulance.

The Park team won this indoor knockout competition, organised by Southend BC.

After beating South Benfleet & Canvey Island BC in 6 - 0 the semis, they met Rochford BC in the final on Sunday 18 April .

Pairs: Dave Cocklin and Jim Bunce; won 41 - 4
Triples: Dave Bunce, John Russell and Tony Parkinson; lost 13 - 16
Fours: John Blackburn, Roy Chinery, Alan Fry and John Stokes; won 23 - 13

Overall score 4 - 0 on rinks.

Charities

The President presents cheques to Hilary Metcalfe of Fair HavensHospices and Frank Rush of Essex Air Ambulance.

For 2009, President Ken Fosbery nominated two charities for our support - FAIRHAVENS HOSPICES and Essex Air Ambulance. During the year, £ 1,200 was raised and presented to representatives of the charities at the AGM.

For more information, visit Fair Havens Hospice and Essex Air Ambulance websites.

For our 2010 charity, current President Jim Bunce has nominated The Kingston Trust which aims to provide assistance for elderly ileostomists experiencing financial hardship.

County Shield

Semi Final

The green, Thorpe-le-Soken BC

Our team reached the semi finals of the ECBA County Shield, the furthest the club has ever reached in the competition. They played Romford BC, current holders of the trophy, at Thorpe le Soken, on August 23rd.

The County Shield Team at Thorpe le Soken

A coach load of supporters travelled with the team to cheer them on, in the match of four rinks of four players. "The Park" were well ahead on three rinks, when Romford conceded, being 30 points behind. A great result as Romford are recognised as one of the strongest clubs in Essex and their squad included both an England and a County champion.

The Shield Final will be against Loughton BC, on Saturday 5th September, at Witham BC. Bournemouth Park hope to take even more supporters to this.

Final

For the final, the team travelled with 50 supporters to play Loughton BC, on the neutral green of Witham BC nn September 5th. Scores were fairly even for the first seven ends, but “The Park” then steadily moved ahead in overall score, winning on three rinks and drawing on the fourth, giving a convincing win 91 shots to 58. The Shield is the most important trophy the club has ever won.

Rink Results:

D Longhurst, T Davies, F Howard, A Parkinson (skip) won 26 - 12

R Collins, D Bunce, C Waller, J Bunce (skip) drew 20 - 20

A Lindsay, J Stokes, J Flower, S Gunnell (skip) won 21 - 14

A Claggett, G Ogden, D Brannon, S Appleton (skip) won 24 - 12

Team Captain Steve Gunnell said “In my nine years at the club, I have seen the team gradually develop - Bournemouth Park are now a force to be reckoned with.”

The team with President and trophy

President's Day

June 6th was President's Day featuring the President v Captain match. For his team, the President was joined by The Presidents of Essex County, Thorpe Bay and Southend Bowling Clubs.

Club Members at President's Day

Members returned to the clubhouse in the evening for Disco entertainment with a sit down buffet supper.

Centenary Cup

Essex County and Bournemouth Park are the two oldest bowling clubs in the area, celebrating their centenaries in 2006 and 2007 respectively. To commemorate this, the two clubs compete for the CENTENARY CUP each year on a home and away basis.

This year, Essex County won the trophy by a narrow margin.

(Photos: Michael Stringer)