****** Annual Tour 2017 ******
Friday 2nd June
This year's tour saw the Tyrchs travelling east from Cardiff to Wroughton, a small village just south of Swindon. While our home city of Cardiff was preparing for the madness of some big football match we headed out to play three matches of bowls mixed with some relaxation and socialising. After some time rearranging the baggage, Martin, our driver from J R Coaches got us on our way from thee drizzle of Pentyrch.
We arrived at our tour headquarters, the De Vere Alexandra House at midday. After settling in our accommodation and "enjoying" the buffet lunch, the tourists boarded the bus for the local village of Wanborough. At Hooper's Field we received a warm welcome at Wanborough Bowls Club, a young club of only 18 years. It was a very close match with the home team sneaking in by two shots, 76-74. Margaret Farmer's rink with Cyril Ellmes, Kath Morris and Don Wibley won the Rams losing 6-33. Mark Krawiecki's rink with Margaret Krawiecka, Howard Thomas and Dave Hughes also lost 14-15. Honorary skip and former Pentyrch stalwart, Tim Morgan and his team of John Beacham, Ann Angle and Dave Ashmore won 19-15. The best performing rink, skipped by Brian Ilbery backed up by Peter Mynett, Liz Cugley and Bernie Simpson won 35-13 and also took the "diddler." Also a special mention to our reserves and wonderful supporters.
The match stopped halfway for tea and refreshments which proved to be an opportune time because it coincided with some heavy rainfall that kindly petered out as we took to the green for the second half. An exchange of speeches by Captains Howard and Alex and some drinks rounded off a great start to the tour. Thanks to our hosts at Wanborough and we look forward to a time when our paths may cross again.
The evening was spent relaxing at the hotel while some tourists managed to escape to the Patriots Arms in the nearby village of Chiseldon for some reasonably priced drinks.
We arrived at our tour headquarters, the De Vere Alexandra House at midday. After settling in our accommodation and "enjoying" the buffet lunch, the tourists boarded the bus for the local village of Wanborough. At Hooper's Field we received a warm welcome at Wanborough Bowls Club, a young club of only 18 years. It was a very close match with the home team sneaking in by two shots, 76-74. Margaret Farmer's rink with Cyril Ellmes, Kath Morris and Don Wibley won the Rams losing 6-33. Mark Krawiecki's rink with Margaret Krawiecka, Howard Thomas and Dave Hughes also lost 14-15. Honorary skip and former Pentyrch stalwart, Tim Morgan and his team of John Beacham, Ann Angle and Dave Ashmore won 19-15. The best performing rink, skipped by Brian Ilbery backed up by Peter Mynett, Liz Cugley and Bernie Simpson won 35-13 and also took the "diddler." Also a special mention to our reserves and wonderful supporters.
The match stopped halfway for tea and refreshments which proved to be an opportune time because it coincided with some heavy rainfall that kindly petered out as we took to the green for the second half. An exchange of speeches by Captains Howard and Alex and some drinks rounded off a great start to the tour. Thanks to our hosts at Wanborough and we look forward to a time when our paths may cross again.
The evening was spent relaxing at the hotel while some tourists managed to escape to the Patriots Arms in the nearby village of Chiseldon for some reasonably priced drinks.
Saturday 3rd June
A bright sunny morning greeted the second day of the tour. Today we travelled the very short distance to nearby Wroughton to play against Wroughton Bowling Club. The sun shone brightly this morning as the tourists emerged from their rooms fro breakfast. Some wandered off to buy newspapers at the local shop and others just relaxed in the lounge or just carried on sleeping. A short ten minute drive to Wroughton took us to Wroughton Bowling Club, with it's clubhouse and green well-sheltered from the main road of the small Wiltshire town. The tour party dispersed around the town looking for somewhere for lunch - Tesco, the Co-Op, the White Hart pub and a cafe called Cowpuccino's amongst the places chosen.
A very warm welcome was received at the bowls club and the match began. The final result, a closed defeat 73-67 by only six shots was played in great spirit. Mark Krawiecki's rink with Margaret Krawiecka, Eileen Boddington and Dave Hughes won the diddler with a score of 23-13.The second winning rink of Don Wibley, Russell Howell, Cyril Ellmes and Kath Morris won 19-15. Brian Ilbery's and Tim Morgan's rinks fought hard all afternoon to win the Rams but eventually the winners of the dubious prize were Tim Morgan, Ann Angle, Howard Thomas and Mel Newton losing 22-11. Brian Ilbery's rink with Peter Mynett (John Beecham) Sam Cole and Dave Ashmore saved themselves with a 3 at the last end, losing 14-23.
The hosts provided a welcome teabreak halfway through and at the end of the match the customary drinks, speeches, raffle and exchange of gifts followed. Big thanks to our hosts who provided us with a great welcome and even provided musical accompaniment for part of the match in the form of the local silver band which played behind the hedge!
The short trip back to the hotel got the weary tourists and happy band of supporters back for the evening meal. After dinner some guests relaxed in the hotel lounge and were entertained by John the Stick Beecham who performed a song and dance routine from Singing in the Rain. The band of travellers who had escaped the expensive bar prices the previous evening, headed for an even closer pub - the Calley Arms at Hodson. On return to the hotel two of the revellers performed a mock wedding scene! Everyone's laughter was muted as they watched the horrific events on London Bridge unfold on one of the television's in the hotel lounge.
A very warm welcome was received at the bowls club and the match began. The final result, a closed defeat 73-67 by only six shots was played in great spirit. Mark Krawiecki's rink with Margaret Krawiecka, Eileen Boddington and Dave Hughes won the diddler with a score of 23-13.The second winning rink of Don Wibley, Russell Howell, Cyril Ellmes and Kath Morris won 19-15. Brian Ilbery's and Tim Morgan's rinks fought hard all afternoon to win the Rams but eventually the winners of the dubious prize were Tim Morgan, Ann Angle, Howard Thomas and Mel Newton losing 22-11. Brian Ilbery's rink with Peter Mynett (John Beecham) Sam Cole and Dave Ashmore saved themselves with a 3 at the last end, losing 14-23.
The hosts provided a welcome teabreak halfway through and at the end of the match the customary drinks, speeches, raffle and exchange of gifts followed. Big thanks to our hosts who provided us with a great welcome and even provided musical accompaniment for part of the match in the form of the local silver band which played behind the hedge!
The short trip back to the hotel got the weary tourists and happy band of supporters back for the evening meal. After dinner some guests relaxed in the hotel lounge and were entertained by John the Stick Beecham who performed a song and dance routine from Singing in the Rain. The band of travellers who had escaped the expensive bar prices the previous evening, headed for an even closer pub - the Calley Arms at Hodson. On return to the hotel two of the revellers performed a mock wedding scene! Everyone's laughter was muted as they watched the horrific events on London Bridge unfold on one of the television's in the hotel lounge.
Sunday 4th June
Last morning at the Alexandra De Vere Hotel, a former R.A.F. base and hospital. Ironic, this because the touring party had become, to some extent an army of walking wounded. After a last breakfast and a spot of relaxation in the lounge, the tourists boarded the bus, ably driven by Martin, for home, via Yate and District Bowling Club.
The weather that greeted the Tyrchs at Yate was blustery and spitting with rain. The tourists were ushered into the Yate clubhouse for a buffet lunch and drinks as a prelude to the match at 2.00 pm. A number of changes had been made due to injuries and illness but the team was ready to go. For the third match of the tour, the visitors lost by only 5 shots, 74-69 - a commendable effort considering the small squad and the previously mentioned casualties. Mark Krawiecki's rink with Eileen Boddington, Cyril Ellmes and Margaret Krawiecka (a late stand -in) were the highest winning rink 74-69 and donated their diddler winnings to the Yate Captain's chosen charity. The second winning Pentyrch rink of Dave Hughes, Margaret Farmer, Kath Morris and Bernie Simpson won by one shot, 18-17 in a very close match. Although the rink of Brian Ilbery, Ann Angle, Liz Cugley and John Beacham lost only by one shot, 17-18 they did brilliantly to come back from 2-13 at the tenth end, just running out of ends to overtake the home team. Tim Morgan's rink with Russell Howell, Howard Thomas and Mel Newton with a 13-23 defeat won the Rams. A close match played in great spirit and friendship. Once again there was a break halfway for tea and for the second time on the tour, the tea break coincided with heavy rain that disappeared as if by magic when tea was over!
The usual raffle, speeches awards of diddlers and Rams came after the match with both captains suggesting that an exchange visit by Yate to Pentyrch may happen next year. With that, the weary tourists boarded the bus for one last time to go home to Wales.
The weather that greeted the Tyrchs at Yate was blustery and spitting with rain. The tourists were ushered into the Yate clubhouse for a buffet lunch and drinks as a prelude to the match at 2.00 pm. A number of changes had been made due to injuries and illness but the team was ready to go. For the third match of the tour, the visitors lost by only 5 shots, 74-69 - a commendable effort considering the small squad and the previously mentioned casualties. Mark Krawiecki's rink with Eileen Boddington, Cyril Ellmes and Margaret Krawiecka (a late stand -in) were the highest winning rink 74-69 and donated their diddler winnings to the Yate Captain's chosen charity. The second winning Pentyrch rink of Dave Hughes, Margaret Farmer, Kath Morris and Bernie Simpson won by one shot, 18-17 in a very close match. Although the rink of Brian Ilbery, Ann Angle, Liz Cugley and John Beacham lost only by one shot, 17-18 they did brilliantly to come back from 2-13 at the tenth end, just running out of ends to overtake the home team. Tim Morgan's rink with Russell Howell, Howard Thomas and Mel Newton with a 13-23 defeat won the Rams. A close match played in great spirit and friendship. Once again there was a break halfway for tea and for the second time on the tour, the tea break coincided with heavy rain that disappeared as if by magic when tea was over!
The usual raffle, speeches awards of diddlers and Rams came after the match with both captains suggesting that an exchange visit by Yate to Pentyrch may happen next year. With that, the weary tourists boarded the bus for one last time to go home to Wales.
Footnote: Special thanks must go to Howard Thomas and Peter Mynett who stepped forward late last Autumn to organise the tour. Without them it would not have happened! Thanks to Kath Morris for looking after the Rams and providing the entertainment on the bus - bingo and raffles are always winners. Thanks to Mark Krawiecki for the report and photos on the website. Thanks to all the players and supporters for coming on the journey - as ever there are great moments to reflect on. Thanks to the clubs for hosting us with your warm welcomes and hospitality. Final thanks to Martin, our driver, who got us there and back safely.
