It’s been a funny sort of week for Norwest, and with the end of the bowls season looming and the beginning of the winter skittles fast approaching, it’s been a very busy one. The green has been busy with bowlers finishing off their club competition games, while normal league games carry on and some previously cancelled games are fitted in, which all adds up to a hectic couple of weeks.

Our Ladies started their week on Tuesday with their annual Round Robin Competition, and although our numbers were low, it was a hard-fought but fun competition. Avis Heley and Sandra Beard went through to the Final, which Sandra won by one shot. Thursday wasn’t quite so much fun, when the Ladies from Fosseway joined us on our green for a North Somerset League game and beat us by just five shots, giving them an 8-2 win. Once again, things were brighter on Saturday morning, when the Girls went to Purnell for their last Wild League game of the season. It was somewhat overcast at the start of the game, but the sun came out and certainly shone on our Girls, as they won the game, no mean feat against Purnell, taking ten of the twelve points on offer.

Now, to the Lads: their week started on Wednesday with a friendly against Bloomfield, which they won handsomely by 26 shots. On Thursday evening they went to Frome Selwood for a Floodlight Charity game against Purnell. Unfortunately, they lost this game 4-1. As with the Girls, Saturday saw a much happier turn of events, when they played their County League East games. The A team played at home against City of Wells and took ten of the twelve points on offer, while the B team were away to Fosseway and they claimed the whole twelve points. Not a bad result for their last League games of the season.

Sunday, and I’m proud to say that Norwesters were out in force for the first game in what we hope will be an annual competition. This game, for the Anne Wilkinson ‘Changing Places’ Trophy, is to honour our dear friend and fellow bowler, who passed away recently. Anne was a valued member of Norwest, who we still miss greatly, and the afternoon was a poignant tribute to her. I know Anne would have been delighted to see us all out on the green, ‘changing places’ and becoming somewhat confused in the process, but nonetheless enjoying what turned out to be a very ‘different’ but fun, game of bowls. Thanks to Mike and Paul for organising the game and for Anne’s family for coming along to watch, I know it would have meant a lot to Anne, who dearly loved her bowls. Congratulations to Kath Hillman, Jack Vine and Eric Obern who won the competition, and a great big thank you to all who came along to play and support us in this fitting tribute to a lovely lady.

NH