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SUCCESS APLENTY!

 

Perhaps I should have named this article after Sir Cliff Richard’s song ‘Congratulations’? By the time you read it we shall be in the last throes of what has been a very successful outdoor bowling season - internally and externally.

Firstly, congratulations go to Helen Girdler and Margaret Turner who after winning the Scottish Bowls District Pairs Competition went on to play in the Scottish Championships at Ayr. They won their first game there before losing their second narrowly at an extra end. Both are aiming for a quick return to Ayr to build on this year’s marvellous experience.
Congratulations also go to Anne Blake who just missed a winner’s medal in the final of the Water of Leith Ladies Singles.

Both Helen and Anne fought out an enthralling final in our own Ladies Championship. In a fascinating well matched contest, Helen triumphed with a stunning 4 bowl win in the final end. That victory saw Helen win her seventh championship thus beating the 25 year old Club record previously held by Jessie Downie.

For the men, congratulations go to Jim Wight for winning the Men’s’ Club Championship in another great final against Robert Douglas. Jim mastered the faster green conditions better in the early part of the final and then held off Robert’s brave fightback.
Externally, the men too have enjoyed success with Bill Stark and John Miller winning the Water of Leith Seniors Confined Pairs.

I’m also delighted that Balerno BC was represented in the British Isles Championships at Sighthill BC this summer. Past President Kenny Girdler was one of the team of umpires who earned great praise at the championships.
The success stories don’t end here…watch out next month for great news from the Transplant Games in Belfast!

On the Social front, the Club’s return as a promoter of Balerno Music Festival events hit an early snag when Christine Sparks signed a major record deal and cancelled her Cabaret Night appearance. But Social Secretary Ron Duguid acted quickly to sign up the ever popular, effervescent, non stop 60s star ‘Christian’. Now that is a show not to be missed!
Sadly, we mourn the losses of Club Members Bob Walker and Ian Gibb and extend our condolences to their families.

Finally, my thanks to my regular reader David Lees for pointing out the mistake in my last article. You have to have two players standing by to abandon a singles match to start a pair’s match! This simply reinforces the commonly held belief that I have the distinction of being a Bowling Club President who knows little about bowling……..but (whisper it!) I’ve reached a Final! TTFN.!

 

CHARLIE HUSBAND OBE
Club President