ABINGDON BOWLING CLUB
Clubhouse and Green
Albert
Park, Abingdon
Telephone:
01235 523402
Welcome to Abingdon
Bowling Club.
The Club was founded as
a Men's club in 1913 and Ladies were admitted to playing membership in 1971.
The Club obtained Charitable status in January 2005.
We welcome new members
of any age, and provide opportunities for both social and competitive bowling.
The green is leased from
Christ's Hospital, a charity who are the custodians of
Albert Park. Abingdon has remained affiliated to the Berkshire County Bowling
Association despite boundary changes, and Club members play in
Executive Committee – responsible to the Charity Commissioners for the finance,
general administration of the club, admission of new members, maintenance of
the green and buildings.
Men's Committee and
Ladies Committee - responsible
for bowling matters in the appropriate sections, arranging Club matches,
competitions, and the interpretation and enforcement of bowling laws.
A list of club officials
can be found in the Year Book
Green opening
The Green is open from
the end of April to the second week in September. The opening and closing dates
are on the fixture card. The
The Clubhouse and licensed
Bar is open during Matches, and Monday - Friday from
Getting Started
If you come for a roll up other than on
match days, you will need a key for the
equipment store, and you will also need to know the
combination number for the gate to the Green . Playing members only may purchase a key to the equipment store
from the Bar.
Equipment
Rink mats, jacks etc are
kept in the equipment store. Please put away tidily after use and keep the door
shut at all times.
Bowls (usually called woods)
A set of four (borrow
some from the Club or friends if possible - do not buy bowls until you find
those suitable for you).
Dress
Roll Ups, Competitions etc.
Everyone must wear flat soled bowling shoes, and should dress tidily at
all times.
You will also need white
wet gear. Rain does not stop play!
Matches and competitions
played in Greys
Grey skirt (preferably
regulation bowling skirt) or trousers, club top, or white blouse/shirt, jumper,
pullover or cardigan, brown or white flat soled bowling shoes.
You will also white wet
gear. Rain does not stop play!
Matches and competitions
played in Whites
White
skirt (preferably regulation bowling skirt) or trousers, club top, or white
blouse/shirt, jumper, pullover or cardigan, white flat soled bowling shoes.
You will also white wet
gear. Rain does not stop play!
Coaching.
Coaching sessions are
available for new bowlers.
Correct delivery of
bowls will improve your game - it is better to learn to deliver bowls properly
from the start than to try to correct faults later. Bumping or dropping the
woods damages the green and is actively discouraged.
Social Bowling Playing
Members only
Ladies - Monday
afternoons
Men - Tuesday afternoons
Use of free rinks is
encouraged for roll-up sessions. Just turn up, check the rink bookings folder
(kept in the hallway) and use any free rink. Rinks for roll-ups cannot be
pre-booked
Booking a Rink
The booking folder is
kept in the hallway. Pre-arranged matches will automatically be entered. You
may use empty rinks to play competitions but please write your name and
competition in the space provided.
Lockers
May
be available. Please ask a
committee member for details.
Bowling Rules
All bowls games are
played under Bowls ENGLAND rules. There is a copy in the club for reference.
Competitions
Every playing member may
enter Club competitions and full details can be found in the Year Book. New
bowlers are welcome to have a go if the first rounds have not already been
drawn. Competitions can be fun and will
improve your bowling.
Entry forms, issued with
the annual subscription form, or are available from your competitions
secretary.
All members are eligible
to enter. Entries must be made in the current year for next year’s competitions.
Please look on the notice board August/September and enter your name.
Open competitions held
by other bowling clubs
Posters are displayed on
the general notice board.
The
A prestigious open
competition organised by our club. It attracts entries from a wide area and the
finals are played here (see fixtures list).
Gala Days These are held occasionally.
Internal Club
Competitions
Martin
Cup, Cottrell Cup, Jubilee Cup, Christ's Hospital Trophy (dates in fixtures
list). These are one -day
friendly competitions for players of all standards. Please add your name to the
entry list on the notice board.
Club Leagues
Club mixed league
Wednesday evenings. Teams are made up of club members only. Please contact the
organiser if you wish to play in a team.
Inter Club - home and
away matches
Men - Kennett League
(KL)
KLX (LX = over 60s)
League
Ladies - Ridgeway League
Playing in Club
Competitions
First find your name on
the competition sheets. If your name is in red, you are the
challenger, which means:
a) You contact your
opponent
b) Suggest three dates to
play (include possibly an evening or weekend)
c) Arrange for a marker
in a singles game
d) Book a rink
Opponents are free to
contact and negotiate with the challenger at any time. Do not wait to be
challenged.
Interclub Friendly
Matches (Please see fixture
card. These are friendly games where we entertain other clubs on our green or
play away on their green.
These are games for all
members and provide an opportunity to meet other bowlers, improve your
knowledge of the game and make new friends.
Match lists are put up on notice boards for you to add your name if you wish
to play. The team selected is displayed in the week (usually Wednesday evening)
prior to the match.
If you are selected you
will be expected to turn up ready to play. If you need to cancel it is
essential you ring your captain. The host club provides a light meal after the
match. You are expected to remain to socialise with your guests.
Home matches a bring and share tea is the norm - each player must bring
enough food for two people. To help the match day run smoothly please make yourself available with the essential pre/post match
activities.
Raffles – donated prizes
are always welcome.
Sales table –
home made jams, books, bric-a-brac – donations needed please. The money raised
goes towards club funds.
Volunteers
As with most other Clubs we do depend on
our membership for help with the running and maintenance of the club,
maintaining the green and grounds, etc.
Please offer your services if you are able
to help in any way.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, PLEASE ASK