It’s all change at Norwest this week, as we say goodbye to this year’s winter skittle teams and hello to the brand new 2018 bowls season.

Being a participant in both, I always feel a little sad when the skittle pins and balls are packed away for the summer, but then the outcome is bowls, and its a whole new ‘ball game’! I’d be hard put to choose which I like best, but then I suppose a change is as good as a rest, so I’ll just enjoy them both in their seasons.

I’ll start with the goodbyes first: yes, our skittle season is drawing to a close and last Saturday saw the culmination of our Fish and Chip League, when we all enjoyed our presentation evening along with the fish and chips. As usual, Keith and Dennis who organise the league did a great job keeping us all on our toes, although perhaps next year they need to crack the whip a little more as between us we hit down 11,161 pins – that’s quite a few down on last year, and over the season we only had four spares! Obviously we must do better next year.

After our delicious supper and a few bevvies, Keith and Dennis presented the trophy to the winning team: The Woodies, Captained by Ann Woodham, and the runners-up who had the satisfaction of knowing they beat the rest of us; the HMGs, Captained by Andy Walker. By knocking down 43 pins, Martin Tinknell claimed the prize for the highest score.

Keith then thanked Dennis for his help and also thanked everyone who had helped during the skittle season – the stickers-up, the bar staff, Whitstone’s Fish and Chip shop and especially Mary, his wife and the ladies who helped organise the supper. Keith did mention that sometimes the bar service was a little slow when staff were playing skittles as well as serving, so unless Keith eats a large slice of humble pie, it may be a dry skittles league next year!

Mary, Norwest’s President, then gave a vote of thanks to Keith and Dennis for organising yet another off season skittle league. She also thanked everyone who took part in the Fish and Chip League and also our Paulton and District League skittles teams for helping to keep the bowls club aired during the winter months.

Now for the hello: yes, it’s hello to the new bowls season, which is only days away. Our green-fingers crossed, and weather permitting, will open on Monday, 16th April and this year’s Open Evenings will be on Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th and Thursday, 19th April.

So, now it’s time for all our members to round up their relatives, friends and neighbours and bring them along to try their hand at bowls. And if you’re not a relative, friend or neighbour? Don’t worry, we would still love you to come along and have a go. All you need to do is pop along on one of our open evenings wearing flat shoes and leave the rest to us.

We can lend you woods, tell you what’s what and then you can try it out.

Believe me, it can’t be that difficult or I wouldn’t be playing! If you’d like more information you can visit our website: www.norwestbowlsclub.co.uk or if you prefer you can ring one of the committee, whose numbers are on the website, or give me a call on: 01761 479310.

Go on, you’ll never know if you don’t try it!

NH