Did You Know?

Did you know that this year a North versus South Bowling Competition was held? Yes, even in crown green bowling, there is a north/south divide. Held in August it was hosted by the Garswood Hall Bowling Club, Ashton-in-Makerfield. Fondly referred to by the organisers as “the Ryder Cup of Bowling” it was a big fundraising event playing for the Mel Evans Trophy. Mel Evans was a keen bowler and was awarded an MBE for working tirelessly to bring bowling back to television audiences. He was diagnosed in 2015 with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). His wife set up The Mel Evans MBE Foundation as a lasting legacy to raise awareness of MND and to raise vitally needed research funding through delivery of a wide range of fundraising events/activities.

Did you know that coming up later this month is the BCGBA Champion of Champions Competition to be held at Owley Wood, Weaverham on 27th & 28th September 2025?

Did you also know that the main event club for the British Crown Green Bowling Association’s events is Owley Wood?

Colwyn & Llandudno President’s Day 13th September 2025

There were plenty of people at yesterday’s event to prevent too much rain falling, and to cheer on the participants in the Individual Merits competition. Ian took part in the Quarter Final round and was pitched against the President himself. No, not Donald Trump, but David Podmore. Despite a well-contested game, it was David who won through to the next round where he lost to the eventual winner who was John Davies from Min y Don Bowling Club. The day ended with the President (still not Donald Trump) presenting cups and/or empty envelopes (representing money) to all the teams and individuals that had won the league’s accolades during the season.

Ian watches the line of the jack
Some of the Vardre Deganwy Spectators
Thinking about his tactics

Next Event

Today is the President’s Day for the Colwyn & Llandudno League. It starts at 2:00pm at the Rhos-on-Sea Bowling Club, Allanson Road. This year’s President is David Podmore who will look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to the event. Hopefully the heat generated by a lot of people will prevent any threatened rainfall? It’s worth a try. Our very own Ian Wilson will be playing in the Merits so do go along to cheer him through the Quarter Final and on into the Semi-Final and Final (hopefully). No pressure Ian. Enjoy the day everyone and don’t forget your umbrella.

Ian Wilson carries the hopes of Vardre Deganwy on his shoulders.

Coming Up

More League Merits events on the horizon in the next few days. The North Wales Coast League Merits Qualifiers will be held on Saturday 13th September at 2:00pm with our ‘A’ Team rep at Min y Don and our ‘B’ Team rep at Conwy Bowling Club. The NWC League President’s Day will be held a week later.

The Colwyn & Llandudno League President’s Day will take place on Sunday 14th September at Rhos-on-Sea, Allanson Road, as David Podmore is this year’s President of the League. This also starts at 2:00pm.

More Bird Talk

David: I have a thought for you Sylvia. In what sort of syllables ought a parrot to speak?

Sylvia: Not another one David. OK, despite your grin telling me that I am not going to guess the answer, please put me out of my misery and give me the answer.

David and Sylvia passing the time

David: Well, a parrot would have to talk in poly-syllables, of course.

Walled Towns Competition

Message from our Chairman: This year’s Walled Town’s Competition, due to be held on 14th September, has been cancelled due to a Runfest Event that is to be held on the same day, monopolising car parks and entailing road closures.

League Merits

Two League Merits Qualifiers will be held today, i.e. individual competitors from every club team, usually the top player (or top two) from each team, compete to play in each of the League’s President’s Day where the Quarter, Semi-Finals and Finals are played in the presence of the League President and representatives from every club in the League, etc.

Both the Clwyd League and the Colwyn & Llandudno League Merits Qualifiers will be held today. The Clwyd League games start at 10:00am and our two competitors will play at East Parade Bowling Club, Rhyl. The C&L League Merits Qualifiers will be held at two clubs: our ‘A’ and ‘C’ Team competitors will play at 2:00pm at Abergele Bowling Club, and our ‘B’ Team competitor will play at 2:00pm Craig y Don Bowling Club.

Good luck to all our competitors in today’s Leagues’ Merits Qualifiers.

One Win but Not Two

Congratulations to our Clwydian ‘A’ Team in Division ‘A’ that won yesterday’s Cup Final versus Min y Don. Led by Captain Shan Eccles, with a strong start courtesy of Ian, our team always looked favourite to win. Our Team finished with 6-wins and with 28-points more than our opponents, even with our opponents having had a 10-point start due to the handicapping system.(Sorry, no photo. It was forgotten in all the excitement).

Our Clwydian ‘B’ Team in the ‘B’ Division Cup Final had a very, very close battle with their opponents – Old Colwyn ‘A’. Although ending in 5-wins for each team, our team’s handicap was 20-points lower than that of their opponents so Old Colwyn had a 20-point start. It was a truly valiant effort by every member of the team that only lost the Final by 4-points. It was so close to a double triumph for the Vardre Deganwy Bowling Club.

Every member of each team played a great game and both Captains were very proud of all their players. The Cups and cheques for the competitions will be presented at the Clwydian League President’s Day on Tuesday 30th September 2025.

Our ‘B’ Team, valiant Runners-Up in the Clwydian ‘B’ Division Cup Final Competition yesterday

Cup Final Day

Both our Clwydian ‘A’ & ‘B’ Teams have won their way through to today’s Clwydian Divisions Cup Finals. Our ‘A’ Team will play Min y Don at Mochdre Park and, with the handicapping system, our team starts 10-points behind at the start of the match. Our ‘B’ Team will play Old Colwyn at Min y Don and our team starts 20-points behind their opponents. 2:15pm Start time.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL PLAYERS, RESERVES, OTHER PLAYERS THAT HAVE PLAYED DURING THE SEASON, AND TO ALL SUPPORTERS WHO WILL BE AT THE TWO VENUES TO CHEER ON OUR TEAMS.

Notice Regarding Our Green

Ian

EARLY CLOSURE OF GREEN: Due to the current poor state of the green, the Maintenance team and consultant Bobby, have confirmed with our Club Committee, that the closure of the green for the 2025 season be brought forward two weeks to 5pm on FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER. Our last home League matches are scheduled for Tuesday 23 Sept, and the internal Club Cup competitions’ Finals for Thursday 25 Sept. so immediately following any further commitments we may have.

The hot, dry Spring and Summer months have taken their toll on the green, the constant foot traffic and clay-based soil aggravating the situation, and regular watering having only a limited effect. Some major repairs are required prior to the usual application of top dressing and seed, and the sooner this work is completed, the time for germination is extended and likely to be more advantageous. The green will be flooded (if needs be) over the weekend (27-28) in preparation for some deep slitting and scarifying of the surface w/c Sept 29th. There is likely to be added costs of hiring specialist machinery and extra dressing/seed in the hope that we have an improved surface for the start of the 2026 season.

If anyone is available to assist with the tasks during this period, please contact Dave L, John B or myself. Note that some tasks require heavy lifting. THANK YOU. Ian Wilson