Latest News from the BBC:

SECURING A PLACE IN HISTORY!

Congratulations go this month to the bowlers who have secured their place in Balerno Bowling Club’s history by winning one of our competitions.
Pride of place goes to Men’s Champion Maxi Baigrie. Maxi won his second Championship in a pulsating match against Stevie Watson. Despite a bright start, Maxi trailed by 13 – 8 but fought back to level the game at 13, 14 and 15 each. As both players battled skilfully in the gusty conditions the game came to a fascinating end. Stevie looked to have played his second last bowl perfectly as he drove at the jack. Unfortunately the jack bounced off the banking and nestled back between Maxi’s two winning bowls. Maxi (aka ‘The Grump’) graciously consoled Stevie with the thought that he (Stevie) very much had time on his side to win further Championships. Stevie may still win a trophy when he meets Michael Haldane in the final of the Duff Cup.
Congratulations also go to Ross Young, Grant Wilson, Bill Stark and Maxi Baigrie for winning the Men’s Rink Competition.
I must mention 87 year old Simon Mackay who lost to Maxi in the Championship Semi Final. Simon missed last year’s competitions through a career threatening condition. However, his brave fight back may yet see him pick up a trophy with partner Fergie McBeath in the Seniors 4 Bowl Pairs. Also in the Seniors, congratulations go to David Anderson, Tom McDonald and Paddy Welsh on winning the Triples Competition. All three contributed too as the Seniors narrowly missed winning the Water of Leith League.
In the Women’s Section, congratulations go to Alison Clark on winning the Rena Mason Trophy and with partner Eleanor Gladwin winning the 4 Bowl Pairs. Congratulations also to Anne Blake who beat great competitor Emma Crichton to win the 2 Bowl Singles. Anne is a relatively new bowler and we should use her success to encourage other younger women in the area to take up the sport.
As the end of the outdoor bowling season approaches, Members (and Guests) are looking forward to a great season of end month cabaret nights featuring ‘The Time of Your Life Show’ (October), ‘The Gerry Anderson Show’ (November), The Two Divas (Boxing Day) and our Hogmanay Disco Ceilidh. September also saw the return of our Folk Nights in conjunction with Balerno Folk Club. Members and Guests will enjoy the mastery of artists such as Pete Abbott, Elbow Jane, Kieran Halpin, Other Roads and Colum Sands. And we can’t wait for early October to welcome back our ‘Golden Girls (and Boys)’ to our Wednesday afternoon Bingo sessions! With such a range of activities on offer how can readers resist taking up membership?   

CHARLIE HUSBAND OBE
Club President