2026 Events
President’s Day 2026 Report
Thank you to all 35 members who turned out to participate in the President’s Day event last Thursday, and to those who sent their apologies because they were unable to be there on that day. It was a members’ competition-packed day including opportunities to play all the other individual games spread around the clubhouse and in the spectators’ area.
The singles finals of the Alpha Trophy and the Hornby Cup, our two season-long competitions, were held with one played at the beginning of the day and the other at the end. Normally both finals would be played at the same time, but this year Dave Thomas had reached both finals. So the Club Doubles competition, consisting of 4-Quarter Finals and 2-Semi-Finals, was held between the two singles Finals. The Doubles Final was then held at the same time as the Hornby Cup Final. And then the flyover, first by a couple of jet planes and a bit later by 3 Chinook helicopters! 🚁
Whilst the Club Doubles got under way, there was a terrific spread of food available for members to have lunch, with beef burgers and onions coming out of the kitchen at a rate of knots together with rolls, sandwiches and cakes, all washed down with tea and coffee, courtesy of the hard work of members of the Club’s Social Committee without whom, we could not hold events like this at the Club. That committee is always looking for new recruits, so if you would like to join them, please add your name to the list on the noticeboard in the clubhouse.
Results:
- In the Alpha trophy, Dave Thomas defeated Alison Thomas but it was a very closely fought match all the way through.
- In the Hornby Cup, Dave Thomas was also one of the competitors but this time it was his opponent Deb Rasmussen who took the win. Another exciting match.
- In the Club Doubles Competition, organised by Elaine Beech, the doubles partnership of Sue Sutcliffe and Arthur Peake were triumphant over Jennifer Penny and Roger Sandiford.
Afterwards, the President Diane Lea presented the trophies to all the Winners and Runners-Ups, and then the draw took place for the Bottle of Champagne. Everyone held their breath then John Cartwright slowly raised his hand with the winning ticket. To complete the day of competitions, John Probyn ran a Spider Competition. What’s that? Where everyone stands around the edges of the green holding one bowl then, on John P’s signal, everyone bowled at the same time at the jack that was ready and waiting in the centre of the green. When all the bowls had come to rest, the one nearest the jack earned its owner a Bottle of Champagne. And the winner on this occasion was Ann Sandiford.
The event, as it is every year, was one of excellent club teamwork with: the green and grounds beautifully prepared by our maintenance and gardening teams; swishing done by members; provision of food and drink throughout the event; plus games and competitions organised to entertain everyone. On behalf of myself and the Club Committee, I should like to thank everyone who took part in the event whether as a competitor or helping to ensure the smooth running of the event or simply as attendees on the day. It couldn’t have happened without all of you. Thank you. CLICK HERE to see photos from the event.
Diane Lea, President of Vardre Deganwy Bowling Club
Investment in the Future 2026
The club committee has identified that an Irrigation System is the club’s top priority for funding during 2026 and 2027. We hope that you will give your full support to this project. What is the need for this system?
During the 2025 season, it was not possible to water the green as often as the green needed it and, as a result, the green was stressed and difficult to play on as the season wore on. A regular system of watering would help preserve the green for future generations as well as benefit us, and our visitors, now.
The current manual system takes 6-hours to run, in 3 two-hour runs across the green, from 6am to midday on the days it can be operated. There is very little control over the amount of water it distributes. This gives Ian an early morning rise and regular attendance during those 6-hours to relocate the tractor for each of the 3-runs it needs to water the whole green.
An automated irrigation system, however, would take just 20-minutes to release an exact amount of water to the green, and it could be run overnight with no attendance required on site. And especially no early morning for Ian, or others!
A project team has been set up to progress the work needed to obtain an automated system. However, the club needs to find matched-funding for a grant bid to stand any chance of success. Please watch this space to find out how you could help the club attract the additional funds necessary to install this irrigation system, perhaps as early as the Winter of 2026/27. In the meantime, if you have any ideas, or questions, and can help this project be the success that we hope it will be, please contact any of the team members: Marina, John B, Elaine, Ian or Diane. Thank you all.
2026 Events in Pictures
First Day of the Winter Season
The first match of the season was won by our Vardre Team. Well done everyone.
Closing Fours Competition
It was a day of very good weather, with the day organised by Ian Wilson, and 20-competitors who were paired up to play in this round-robin competition. So everyone got to play everyone else. The eventual winners were Colin Burgess and Gay Hicdonmez who were presented with the trophy by the President together with a bottle of wine for both players. In addition, the Club presented Sylvia Owen with a bottle of wine in thanks of her seemingly endless supply of homemade cakes and her hard work throughout the season. 👏 Photographs courtesy of John Cartwright, Sylvia Owen and Diane Lea. Just click on a group below to enlarge them all.
President’s Day 2026
The event, as it is every year, was one of excellent club teamwork with: the green and grounds beautifully prepared by our maintenance and gardening teams; swishing done by members; provision of food and drink throughout the event; photography; plus games and competitions organised to entertain everyone. On behalf of myself and the Club Committee, I should like to thank everyone who took part in the event whether as a competitor or helping to ensure the smooth running of the event or simply as attendees on the day. It couldn’t have happened without all of you. Thank you.
Diane Lea, President of Vardre Deganwy Bowling Club
CLICK HERE to read the full report on the day. Photographs courtesy John Cartwright. Just click on a group of photos to enlarge them all.
Merits Qualifying Rounds September 2026
Photographs from three of the five merits qualifying rounds in the:- North Wales Coast, the Clwyd and the Llandudno and Colwyn Leagues, held over the weekend of the 12th & 13th September. Mark Ball, ‘A’ Team Representative in the North Wales Coast League, successfully won through to the League’s President’s Day Final rounds, to be held on 19th September, and photos of him at that event will be added next week. With a huge “thank you” from all out team reps to the team and other club members who turned out in their numbers to give their support and encouragement. Just click on a photo group below to enlarge them all. (Some of the photos are courtesy of Mark Ball and Hazel Leech).
Ladies League 2026 Merits Day
Vardre Deganwy Bowling Club hosted the Ladies League Merits 2026 with a full day matches, i.e. the Quarters, Semi-Finals and Final, followed by award of trophies for the season. To enlarge a group of photos, just click on it to enlarge them all.
Cup Final 2026
Clwydian ‘A’ Division Cup Final Vardre Deganwy v Denbigh, held on 21st August at Old Colwyn Bowling Club. In a very closely fought Final, with Denbigh benefitting from a handicap of +20-points to start with a good lead, our ‘A’ Team just lost out by a single point, losing 177:178 points. Winning the Cup 2-years in succession was not to be for our team. Well played everyone, many thanks to all the supporters who came along to cheer on the team and thanks to members of Old Colwyn Bowling Club for their excellent hosting. Photographs courtesy of Marina Roberts (just click on a group to enlarge them all):-
Defib and CPR Ready
Photos of the course held in July courtesy of Marina Roberts:
Ladies League Doubles Competition 2026
Shan & Ann B represented the ‘A’ Team, whilst Bunty & Sue B represented the ‘B’ Team. Here are some photos from the event at Rhuddlan. Thanks to the supporters for coming along to cheer on the players:
Mark Ball wins the Welsh Crown Green Bowling Association Veterans Merit 2026
On 10th June 2026, at Bethesda Bowling Club, Mark Ball won the trophy for the WCGBA Veterans Merit 2026. A great achievement. An impressive trophy.
Odd Couple Doubles
Competition Day 7th June 2026 by Ian Wilson: 16-Members paid £2 each to enter this fun event. All players had over 90-minutes bowling in 3-rounds of 8-ends each. They also undertook their own marking and measuring. The winners of the competition were: Jeff Pendlebury, Neil Edge, Marina Roberts and Hazel Leech. The winner of the Football Card was Elaine Edge. All Winners generously donated their winnings to the Club’s Irrigation System Fundraising so, together with all other income on the day, £106.00 was raised in total. Thank you to everyone for taking part and especial thanks to all the Winners. (Photographs Courtesy of John Cartwright).
Opening-4’s Competition 2026
This competition took place on 2nd April with matches completed up to and including the semi-finals. The final took place on Monday 6th April, Easter Monday. The final was played between Debs Rasmussen & Tom Chartrand and Bunty Masters and Bob Mason. The photos above are from the Final and the ones below are from the earlier rounds held on 2nd April. Just click on a group to enlarge them all. (Some of the photographs are courtesy of John Cartwright.)
Opening Day of the 2026 Season
On a sunny March day, the green was opened by the President in the time-honoured opening ceremony for the new season. It was an excellent turnout by the members with some new members as well. Some photos below are courtesy of John Cartwright. (Just click on any set of images below to enlarge them).
Monday Morning Maintenance Teamwork February 2026
The Monday Morning Maintenance team (our 3m’s) in action. All members are welcome to come along and join in. It’s also a social opportunity as well as supporting the club and easing the load on the few who commit many hours a week to looking after our green and surrounding premises. Just a couple of hours of your time, or less, depending on your availability. Weeding, sweeping, chopping, lopping, planting, painting or just touching up paintwork, etc. (the list is endless so you can choose what you’d like to do). Thank you.
