This week, Norwest lost a dedicated, hardworking and loyal member, and most of us at Norwest lost a dear friend, with the news of the death of our President, Mike Briggs.
Mike joined Norwest in 1984 and proved to be a mainstay in the running of our club, and we will all miss him sorely. Mike was Men’s Captain for seven years, and although sometimes his team selections were not to everyone’s liking, he took any criticism and soldiered on like the real trooper he was. Mike gave up the Captaincy due to ill health, but when most of us would have given up he took on the job of Vice President and then President. It was in this capacity he rolled into Norwest for this year’s Presidents’ Day, joking about being Norwest’s first ‘President on wheels’.
Mike also lavished lots of time and attention to our green. Working hard on the maintenance of our ‘hallowed turf’, he spent long hours discussing and battling with our ‘damp corner’. It is a testament to this dedication that, at the end of last year’s exceptionally long, hot summer, Norwest was one of the few greens which was actually still green. Mike was also our ‘go-to man’ when any problems came along. He was not only ready with advice but also willing to roll up his sleeves and get on with it. He was all of this and more, and a great bowler as well. Oh, Mike – what are we going to do without you?
Our thoughts and love, at this very sad time, go to Kate, Mike’s wife, Vicky, his daughter, Matthew, Mike’s son, and to all of Mike’s family. Mike’s funeral will take place at Shepton Mallet Crematorium on Thursday, 30th May at 2.30 p.m. At the family’s request, can Norwest members please wear club shirts and blazers or fleeces, but no black.
Overall, the gloom this week continued into our bowls. the Ladies lost their Wild League game against Street on Tuesday, 2-10 by eleven shots, and on Thursday, they lost a friendly at Alexandra Park by five shots. On Saturday, in the Men’s County League, our B team lost their league game against Frome Park B, 2-10 by ten shots. A little light relief came when the A team won their game against Stothert & Pitt A, 10-2 by eight shots. Congratulations go to Aaron and Dave who won through to the third round of the men’s National Pairs. Well done, lads.
On Sunday, we welcomed bowlers from Westbourne Bowls Club to our green for a friendly. We started the afternoon with a minute’s silence to remember Mike. It was a lovely, sunny afternoon, and we had a great game against our friends, both old and new, from Westbourne. It was good to see our newest member, Chloe, aged eleven, taking part and enjoying the challenge of outdoor bowls. Unfortunately, yet again, it was a defeat for Norwest.
NH