This year saw our members visit two clubs in Worcester and one at Leamington Spa. The tour organiser was Richard Poole – our current President. All participants agreed that the hotel was excellent and very welcoming. A pleasant coach journey from our club to Worcester city centre White House Hotel where we were met by the hotel manager who organised the offloading of our luggage into reception. Most of our rooms were ready for occupation straightaway, the bar was open, of course for any who had to wait. After settling into our rooms, some members decided to explore the city, whilst others decided to rest up. A very pleasant evening dinner was provided. with members enjoying a pre-meal drink at the bar.
After an enjoyable Saturday breakfast we had free time to visit the sights of Worcester. The Cathedral and river Severn were particular favourites. A short taxi ride in the early afternoon took us to Worcester Bowling Club for an enjoyable triples match on a lovely green. The match had to be cut short at at 14 & 16 ends due to heavy rain. After a dash into the clubhouse our Captain and the Worcester Captain calculated the final scores. Meanwhile, our members enjoyed the hospitality of the Worcester members. Following the Captain’s speeches the scores were announced. Oundle 97 and Worcester 67. The winning rink being R. King, J Hewitt and Rob Kuch with a +18 score. The President presented the Worcester Captain with one of our famous ‘bowls’ clocks made once again by Dennis Harris. Back at the hotel we were able to relax and socialise before a lovely eveninng meal
On Sunday morning after breakfast we had additional free time to relax or explore more of what Worcester had to offer. Our team and non playing supporters gathered together at one o’clock for the short taxi ride to St Dunstans Bowling club, also located in Worcester. We arrived to very warm welcome from St Dunstan’s Captain and members. The weather was a little chilly but with bright sunshine so we hoped to continue our winning streak on a superbly prepared green. However it was not to be as the Oundle team were heavilly defeated and only had one winning rink skipped again by Rob Kuch! After the match and the scores being read out ( Oundle 74 Worcester 126) our Captain thanked St Dunstans for their hospitality and Richard Poole presented them with a ‘bowls’ clock. We returned to our hotel and prepared for our Gala Night dinner. As is usual on these occaisions and after a superb meal, our members were subjected to the reading of the fines attributed to members misdemeanors during the year’s playing season. Rob Kuch read out the members transgressions and Simon Bierton wended his way around the dinner tables collecting the £1 fines. Any arguing against the levied fine meant doubling the amount or more. The reasons for the fines engendered much laughter in the room and was enjoyed by all. A total of £270.00 was raised for the President’s charity Motor Neurone Disease.
Monday soon came around and after a final breakfast we boarded our coach , slightly delayed by members losing a hand bag and leaving a phone in their room. A bright sunny but chilly day raised our moral for our final match at the famous Leamington Spa Club, home to Bowls England. We arrived at the club at 11.30 with the match due to start at 12.30. However there was some initial consternation as there was nobody around to greet us except the greenkeepers. After a while a Leamington member appeared and started to organise things including a welcome cup of tea. The Club Chairman was delayed due to a bad leg. The triples match got off on time on two of their superb greens C& D as we needed 7 rinks. Whether we were overawed by the location, or some other reason I am not sure, but Leamington BC were extremely strong and to our embarrassment we lost on all the rinks. However we consoled ourselves by the thought that we had played on the famous Leamington Spa greens. We retired to their lovely clubhouse for ‘tea and biscuits’ but were suprised to find the Chairman, David Wigman, had organised a ploughman’s meal for us. Another clock was presented and after saying oor farewells we boarded our coach for home.
It is the custom of Oundle Bowling Club to reward the highest scoring rink with a small prize- a ‘lucky’ scratchcard. There has been no recognition, until now, of the lowest score losing rink. Not any more! As a bit of fun, a soft toy monkey, now named RESOL (loser) was obtained and presented to the skip of the losing rink. Resol was presented to skip Michael Daking for both the Sunday and Monday matches and charged with looking after him until next year.
The Tour Cup winners this year are, Roy King, John Hewitt and Rob Kuch.
Well done Richard for organising this superb 2025 bowls tour. We look forward to the 2026 President’s tour.
