The 2003 season got underway with President Ivan Beer at the helm, and very successful it was too. A long dry hot summer created ideal playing conditions on an excellent green maintained by David Bolton.
This was the year that the committee banned Jack Gregory for a month.
Jack was never a great time-keeper but when you are 84 there should surely be some latitude.
On this occasion Jack missed a match altogether, claiming later that he had to take his wife to hospital. At any rate the committee who took their responsibilities very seriously decided that he should be banned. It was a little embarrassing later in the year when Ken Bucknall also missed a match but was not banned.
Ken, being a true sportsman, rose to the occasion and promptly banned himself.
Members of the club took it upon themselves to organise work parties and fund raising functions during the year. These latter organised by Pat Potts and Betty Websell proved very popular and brought in a great deal of money to the club. The Open Triples in particular was very successful, as indeed was the coffee morning and barbeque. A winter social program was suggested and details given to all members before the close of the season. However some members pointed out that raising funds in this way meant that those who attended functions were subsidising those who did not attend. It just goes to show that it is impossible to please everyone. In any case there are those who give freely of their time whilst others may not have the time to give. As long as members pay their subscriptions it should not matter what additional functions they attend. Everyone has a free choice
An aside: It was pleasant to hear that Ray Topping (a member of two clubs) had reached the finals in the Alnwick Club Championship with an extremely narrow defeat on the final end when callipers were used to decide the winner.
The thorny problem of booking still hangs over the club at
the end of 2003 and although members had not been inconvenienced during the
summer some feel that it is still just a matter of time. But with so many
external and internal matches played and so often decided by other results it
would be impractical to book in advance: so there is liable to be a conflict at
some time.
However it felt by the majority of members that Ian Anderson had made a
substantial contribution to the Bowling Club and they awarded him a Certificate
of Recognition.
Members were also fearful that the club would lose its independence, especially now that the recreation club expanded its membership to include Rothbury Football Club and a newly formed 5-a-side. The old 5-a-side club had been disbanded two years ago due to lack of parental interest but thanks to grants from the Market Town Initiative and Football Association the dilapidated courts were rebuilt and the club is now flourishing. It is in use almost every evening and there has been little disruption to bowlers who had expected a great deal of noise. In fact it was remarked that the really noisy ones were enthusiastic bowlers on club nights.
One sad note during the season: the death of Peggy Corbett. Peggy was a great bowler and loved her bowls. Howard, her husband, always commented that he could never tell whether Peggy had won or lost. As long as she enjoyed the game she returned home with a big smile. She is missed already, by many players from many other clubs in addition to our own.
The season ended with a dinner at Embleton Hall that proved to be a great success. 56 attended, more than previous years and it was enjoyed by all.
Rothbury, 2nd in Clegg Division 5 were promoted to the 4th Division whilst they came joint third in the North Northumberland League. David Bolton reached the Quarter Finals of the EBA. Pat Potts and Betty Websell announced another winter social programme. The Treasurer, John May reported a healthy balance of £4,550 in the bank. The bank sides are scheduled to be reduced over the winter, assuming grants are available. The green itself continues to be envied by other clubs. There is a new all weather green in nearby Swarland that potentially extends the outdoor bowling season (if you can stand the cold and rain). Norman Martin as usual organised all the successful major events in between threats of resignation. Kevin Whitehead organised the 17 friendlies and reported that more than 75% of the club played in these popular games. Tommy Proudlock organised the internal matches in between fund raising. Ivan Beer the outgoing president is looking forward to rest and recuperation during the winter. The committee is reported to be considering stamping their mark of ownership on the clubhouse by decking it with photographs and memorabilia from the past. And not before time!
And tempers have calmed down. All is peace and tranquillity again: at least till the start of the next season.
Of the original members (second time around):
Ronnie Ramsay (Honorary Life Member) continues to play socially and is as good as ever.
Bernett Crewther continues to play well in league and social events.
Mae Whitehead plays less these days but still bowls canny.
Kevin Whitehead is still going strong but then he is much younger.
Ken Bucknall tends to play more golf and has a trophy cupboard to prove it.
Tommy Proudlock organises internal matches and raises funds as always.
Bob Herdman plays less due to other commitments up the valley.
Dick Dignan (Honorary Life Member) now lives in another part of the country but continues to visit regularly.
Tommy Wilson (a great tennis player and bowler in his heyday) is now a social member supporting home matches. Tommy still likes to tell members that as a boy he remembers the green being laid in 1923.
Alwyn Ramsay has hung up his bowls so to speak but continues to support the club enthusiastically and is always willing to impart advice.
Sid Howdon, a former president, a great secretary and excellent bowler sadly died this year.
And there it is: 80 years of Rothbury Bowling Club. 1923 to 2003 give or take a few years. Not the oldest by any means, but certainly one of the liveliest and friendliest. What was that phrase again?
Rothbury Bowling Club
The Club with the Hearty Welcome