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IT’S GOLD!

Previously, I reported how Club Member Ross Young who underwent a kidney transplant operation late last year would be taking part in the Westfield Health Transplant Games in Belfast in August. I am delighted to report that Ross rewarded his sponsors – our Club, Mark and Yvonne Porteous, the Water of Leith and Edinburgh and Leith Bowling Associations and his employer McGrigors – by winning the Gold Medal at his first attempt! His success involved seven separate 2 bowl games. The Games are held to promote organ donation and as Ross says ‘it was truly great to see kids from 3 years of age to transplantees well in to their 70’s who like me had been given a second chance at life and had grabbed it with both hands. It is a magnificent feeling to have the gift of life once again!’

Congratulations are also due to our Seniors Team who won the West Edinburgh Second Division League. Skips Ron Smith and Tom McDonald ably led their core squad of Arthur Howes, Jim Baillie, Bob Thorpe, Alex Lindsay, Alan Gray, Dave Henry, Charlie Husband and Ron Duguid to top the table with a game to spare.
Congratulations to winners of our internal competitions will follow – if they manage to complete their games before the end of the season!

It has been a difficult year for our greens staff as they have fought against the elements to try to get the green back to the standard we enjoyed before the damage suffered last year. We have had to zone off parts of the green in the latter part of the season to protect and foster growth in the damaged areas and hopefully we’ll see the benefits of that next year. While it’s no consolation, the environs of the green have been in great condition thanks in the main to Committee members Ron Duguid and Ian McMillan. The green surrounds were further enhanced by the recent addition of a bench donated by the Reid family in memory of our dearly missed member Evelyn. The installation of the bench proved a moving occasion as we remembered how much Evelyn had meant to the family and to the Club. Although we are a private Club we do not mind the use of those benches by responsible non members who wish to have a quiet time for reflection or simply to relax in the sun (whatever that is?).

We also remembered with affection Past President Allan Rankin when a much depleted squad of ladies and over-60s gents played a most enjoyable mixed triples match for his commemorative trophy. How May Brown, Jim Baillie and Ron Duguid (another mention!) won that beats me…and they did! TTFN!

CHARLIE HUSBAND OBE
Club President