This year our annual tour was to a new venue in Weston-Super-Mare, a lovely seaside town on the Bristol channel. Our President chose an excellent hotel on the seafront aptly named ‘The New Ocean’. The accommodation and food were of a good standard helped along by the ‘inclusive drinks’ package.
Heavy rain showers greeted our arrival by coach in Weston on the Friday afternoon. After the rain had cleared, a brisk walk along the promenade blew away the cobwebs and a pre-dinner drink got us into a good mood. Saturday morning saw us with brilliant sunshine allowing exploration of Weston prior to us departing to Congresbury Bowls Club. The club was a little difficult to find but never the less, a gem in a residential area 12 miles from Weston. A lovely well kept green awaited some excellent bowling from both teams. Oundle won the match which was followed by tea & biscuits and a raffle. Our President Richard Poole presented the Congresbury Captain with our usual Bowl clock as a memento of our visit. Back at the hotel an excellent meal and musical entertainment allowed us to chill out and celebrate our first win of the tour.
The weather continued to be kind to us on Sunday for further walks around Weston in the morning in preparation for our match at Ashcombe Gardens Bowls Club which was only a short taxi ride from the hotel. All players and spectators enjoyed the match in which Oundle were the victors once again. This club had excellent facilities with two greens and lovely gardens. After a light snack and raffle Richard presented the ‘Oundle clock’ to their president.
Being Sunday, our evening meal was followed by the customary session of reading the season’s player misdemeanours and collecting the fines, carried out by Judge Robert and Clerk Chris. Richard Poole was pleased to report a total of £325.00 was collected for his charity The Air Ambulance. More musical entertainment followed with a number of members ‘letting their hair down’ on the dance floor.
Our President was anxiously checking the weather forecast for the next morning when we were due to play our final match of the tour. Warnings of heavy rain seemed to be the forecasters opinion. Unfortunately the forecasters got it right and heavy rain swept in from the channel just as we were leaving the hotel. The decision was made to continue by our coach to Cleveland Bowling Club with the hope of a break in the weather. Alas this was not to be and we arrived in the pouring rain. The members of Cleveland warmly welcomed us and offered us tea & biscuits whilst we stared out of the window hoping the rain would pass. After an hour or so it did not look as if was going to clear, so we said our farewells to Cleveland (David Bryant’s home club) and journeyed home with a welcome packed lunch provided by the club.
All in all it was a very enjoyable tour, very well organised by our President. Looking forward to our tour next year to Great Yarmouth.
Funny moment on tour! Who got the best seat in the taxi?
and who didn’t? Answers on a postcard………………….