****** LATEST NEWS 2024 ******
Welcome to the Latest News Page 2024. Here you will find up to date news of forthcoming events and anything of note that has happened recently. Previous years' LATEST NEWS pages have been archived for posterity and can be browsed HERE. Enjoy!
****** Christmas Coffee Morning ******
Our last coffee morning of the year raised £193 - an excellent effort! Just over thirty people attended including former players Tim Morgan, Don Wibley and Peter Mynett.
Many thanks to our Baristas, Adrian and Pat Bevan, to Ken and Paul (our Father Christmas and Elf), to those providing raffle prizes and cakes, and especially to Eileen who has ‘set up’ virtually every coffee morning since they started. Raffle prize winners included Ed Brookman, Peter O’Reilly, Don Wibley, Ann Brookman and Lynne Ilbery.
Many thanks to our Baristas, Adrian and Pat Bevan, to Ken and Paul (our Father Christmas and Elf), to those providing raffle prizes and cakes, and especially to Eileen who has ‘set up’ virtually every coffee morning since they started. Raffle prize winners included Ed Brookman, Peter O’Reilly, Don Wibley, Ann Brookman and Lynne Ilbery.
****** Christmas Social 2024 ******
Over 60 people came to the Christmas Social and the evening went very well: £457 were raised for club funds. As usual, thanks need to be given to various people for making it a really nice social event: the Social Committee for its hard work and organisation; Paul and Ken for selling the raffle tickets, in full Christmas gear (the raffle raised just over £200 - a great effort); Leanne and her staff at the rugby club for the large, fresh turkey rolls, pigs in blankets and mince pies (and for the bar service); Mark and Margaret for serving the mulled wine; Keith Davies for the musical entertainment; Ann, Paul and Margaret for the surprise elements of the evening; those donating raffle prizes; and everyone who came along to support Pentyrch Bowling Club. The support of the local community is really appreciated. The last coffee morning of this year is this coming Friday (13th) and thanks go to Eileen for preparing these over a number of years.
****** November Coffee Morning ******
We raised £149 at today’s coffee morning, on a damp and gloomy morning. 25 people attended - huge thanks to those who came along. Thanks to Eileen for getting everything ready, to Brian and Roger Hayward (Baristas) and to all those providing cakes, prizes and general help. Raffle prize winners included John Eagle, Alex Lynham, Jan Berry, Adrian Bevan and Colin Howson.
The last coffee morning - festive edition - of this year is on Friday 13 December, 10.30 am in the bowls pavilion. It would be fantastic if all members could come along to meet up at this seasonal time and support our fund-raising activities.
The last coffee morning - festive edition - of this year is on Friday 13 December, 10.30 am in the bowls pavilion. It would be fantastic if all members could come along to meet up at this seasonal time and support our fund-raising activities.
****** First Winter Cut ******
On Monday 11th November, the green had it's first cut of the closed season. Thanks to Robert Hopkins and Alan Lowndes for their persistence in getting the job done having to cut through very dense and damp grass. Even without collecting cuttings it was a challenging cut. Alan then kept going for a bit longer with his toilet cleaning duty.
****** October Coffee Morning ******
Around 30 people came to October’s coffee morning and £195 were raised for the bowls club - a really good effort! The sunny morning helped to show off the recently repainted and refreshed pavilion interior.
Thanks to the baristas - Iain Russell and Roger Thompson - and to those who provided cakes and raffle prizes. Raffle prize winners included Don Wibley, Nicola Olson, Ian Davies, Ann Parsons and Gareth James.
Thanks to the baristas - Iain Russell and Roger Thompson - and to those who provided cakes and raffle prizes. Raffle prize winners included Don Wibley, Nicola Olson, Ian Davies, Ann Parsons and Gareth James.
****** Deano Martini ******
On Friday 18th October the fabulous singer, Deano Martini made his first appearance Pentyrch Rugby club to entertain a happy audience with a medley of famous songs by Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Barry White and many more. This was a new departure from more traditional bowls club evenings and was a great success. Wonderful singing and music that even inspired some dancing too was in aid of raising funds for new changing rooms. Thanks to everyone who made it happen especially to Paul Cooper, the caterers, raffle ticket sellers, prize donors and especially to those who came and supported and had a great time. Thanks as well to Ranjith who recorded the event on video - watch here. The evening raised the grand total 0f £677 towards the new changing rooms.
For those of you who missed out on seeing Deano or for those who want more, he will be appearing at Pentyrch Village Hall on Friday 9th May 2025 on behalf of Pentyrch Bowling Club.
For those of you who missed out on seeing Deano or for those who want more, he will be appearing at Pentyrch Village Hall on Friday 9th May 2025 on behalf of Pentyrch Bowling Club.
****** Men At Work ******
Another busy Sunday morning (13th October) for out of season work by the Green & Maintenance Team. Work has started on redecorating the pavilion and was continued today by Iain, Chris and Mike.
Outside, Adrian, Gordon, Ian and Alan continued to assemble a ramp for improved access to the recently located new toilet block. Sincere thanks to everyone who has already volunteered and given up time so far, today and in the coming weeks. Everyon'e contributions are genuinely appreciated and anyone's help is always very welcome. Contact Iain or Adrian for more details and look out on What's App. for future working party dates.
Outside, Adrian, Gordon, Ian and Alan continued to assemble a ramp for improved access to the recently located new toilet block. Sincere thanks to everyone who has already volunteered and given up time so far, today and in the coming weeks. Everyon'e contributions are genuinely appreciated and anyone's help is always very welcome. Contact Iain or Adrian for more details and look out on What's App. for future working party dates.
****** September Coffee Morning ******
September’s coffee morning raised £178 - a great effort! Thanks to all those who attended, to Chris and Lesley O’Leary (apprentice baristas), to those providing cakes and raffles prizes, to Paul Cooper for welcoming people and running the raffle/lucky numbers, and to Eileen for the overall organisation. The next coffee morning will be on the last Friday in October and all support is welcome. B.I.
****** Cratchley Bowl 2024 ******
On Sunday 1st September, the club hosted the semi-finals and final of the Cratchley Bowl on behalf of the Private Greens Bowling Association of Wales.
The semi-finals were contested by Clive Collins of Barry Romilly and Ciaran Lebreton of Whitchurch and between David Rees of Penarth Windsor and Ross Lewis of Penylan.
The final was then contested between Ross Lewis and Ciaran Lebreton. All the contestants in all three matches produced a great display of excellent precision bowling. Congratulations to Ross Lewis, a worthy champion and commiserations to Ciaran Lebreton as runner-up. Albert Minten, Patron of the Private Greens, presented the trophy. He thanked the umpire of the day, Pentyrch for providing the venue, all their volunteers for their hard work in preparing for and hosting the event and to Absolute Grasscare who, in partnership with the club, provided a good surface to play on.
The semi-finals were contested by Clive Collins of Barry Romilly and Ciaran Lebreton of Whitchurch and between David Rees of Penarth Windsor and Ross Lewis of Penylan.
The final was then contested between Ross Lewis and Ciaran Lebreton. All the contestants in all three matches produced a great display of excellent precision bowling. Congratulations to Ross Lewis, a worthy champion and commiserations to Ciaran Lebreton as runner-up. Albert Minten, Patron of the Private Greens, presented the trophy. He thanked the umpire of the day, Pentyrch for providing the venue, all their volunteers for their hard work in preparing for and hosting the event and to Absolute Grasscare who, in partnership with the club, provided a good surface to play on.
****** Ironing the Green ******
Christian and Rory of Absolute Grasscare have been carrying out additional work on the green this week in preparation of the club staging this year's PGBA Cratchley Bowls men's singles semi-finals and final. On Tuesday the green was double cut to 4mm, double verticut and sarrel rolled. Cut by our volunteers on Wednesday and Thursday. Then double cut by Rory again on Friday. Christian also brought his green 'iron' along as an extra to finish off the work. After a lesson it was over to the volunteers to iron the green. The green will be ironed again on the morning of the competition.
****** August Coffee Morning ******
30 people attended the coffee morning on a fantastic summer’s day and many of those attending had the benefit of watching a lot of work taking place on the bowling green! Christian of Absolute Grasscare loaned us an 'ironing' machine to improve the surface of the green in preparation for staging the semi-finals and finals of the Cratchley Bowl on Sunday 1st September.
The coffee morning raised £185, which is great. Thanks to Paul Cooper and Ken Lynham, our baristas, and thanks to those providing cakes and raffle prizes. Ann Angle ran the raffle and Eileen did most of the preparatory work before deciding to have a go on one of the sit-on machines on the bowling green!
The coffee morning raised £185, which is great. Thanks to Paul Cooper and Ken Lynham, our baristas, and thanks to those providing cakes and raffle prizes. Ann Angle ran the raffle and Eileen did most of the preparatory work before deciding to have a go on one of the sit-on machines on the bowling green!
****** Horse Race Night Success ******
Attended by over 70 people, the annual Race Night was a great success and raised £1,167 for Pentyrch Bowling Club. The first three races provided some quite large payouts; for example, just three people won £10 each on ‘Clowance’ (owned by Don Wibley) and Barrie Thomas was £20 to the good after race 3! Things calmed down after this, with an average race payout of just £3.
The star of the evening was undoubtedly ‘Ruby Tuesday’, owned by Margaret Ellmes and trained by Sean Cooper. As well as winning race 7, the horse won the final ‘winners’ race - with Margaret and Sean each walking away with bottles of wine and champagne and a box of chocolates.
Many people helped to make the evening such an enjoyable one. Special thanks to Ruth and Andrew Davies for running the evening so expertly and to the Social Committee for its hard work in organising the event. Lynne Ilbery, Val and Bernie Simpson, and Gareth James did a great job in taking all the bets from the punters, and Leanne Howell and the bar staff at the Rugby Club looked after everyone with food and drink. Thanks also go to all nine race sponsors, to those providing raffle prizes, to Wendy O’Reilly for selling the raffle tickets, and to Rose Capron and Peter O’Reilly for welcoming everyone ‘at the door’.
The atmosphere on the night was great and it is highly likely that the Race Night will return next year! Brian Ilbery
The star of the evening was undoubtedly ‘Ruby Tuesday’, owned by Margaret Ellmes and trained by Sean Cooper. As well as winning race 7, the horse won the final ‘winners’ race - with Margaret and Sean each walking away with bottles of wine and champagne and a box of chocolates.
Many people helped to make the evening such an enjoyable one. Special thanks to Ruth and Andrew Davies for running the evening so expertly and to the Social Committee for its hard work in organising the event. Lynne Ilbery, Val and Bernie Simpson, and Gareth James did a great job in taking all the bets from the punters, and Leanne Howell and the bar staff at the Rugby Club looked after everyone with food and drink. Thanks also go to all nine race sponsors, to those providing raffle prizes, to Wendy O’Reilly for selling the raffle tickets, and to Rose Capron and Peter O’Reilly for welcoming everyone ‘at the door’.
The atmosphere on the night was great and it is highly likely that the Race Night will return next year! Brian Ilbery
****** July Coffee Morning ******
The Coffee Morning went well today. Over 30 people came along and the club made £198 on the morning! Many thanks to those attending, to Ian and Anne Davies (our baristas), to those providing cakes and raffle prizes, to Ann Angle (for selling raffle tickets) and to Eileen and Brian for the general organisation. At last, the weather was kind! The next Coffee Morning is on Friday 30th August.
****** Summer Quiz ******
Just over 60 people attended the club’s Summer Quiz and we made £461; when added to the £181 raised earlier in the day at the Coffee Morning, it proved to be a successful and enjoyable fund-raising day. Eight teams competed for the three prizes (£25, £15 and tin of chocolates) and Iain Russell’s team (Siriol Superstars) completed a hat trick of quiz wins! In second place, came ‘Where’s Ken?’ (Ken Lynham was not well and so could not attend) and Dog Biscuits (Cardiff Rotary) came third. As a really nice gesture to the bowling club, the teams coming first and second returned the prize money so that is can be used at the next quiz.
Quite a bit of organisation goes into such a social event and many thanks to the Social Committee (Brian, Paul, Eileen, Wendy, Peter, Ajit and Pat) for all their hard work. A special thanks also to Gordon Tucker, the quiz master, with his wide-ranging mix of general knowledge questions. Thanks to Leanne and her staff at the Rugby Club for the food and bar, to Wendy for selling the raffle tickets, and to Peter and Rose for being ‘on the door’. Last, but not least, many thanks to members and friends for making this a very pleasant way to spend an evening. B.I. 29.06.24
Quite a bit of organisation goes into such a social event and many thanks to the Social Committee (Brian, Paul, Eileen, Wendy, Peter, Ajit and Pat) for all their hard work. A special thanks also to Gordon Tucker, the quiz master, with his wide-ranging mix of general knowledge questions. Thanks to Leanne and her staff at the Rugby Club for the food and bar, to Wendy for selling the raffle tickets, and to Peter and Rose for being ‘on the door’. Last, but not least, many thanks to members and friends for making this a very pleasant way to spend an evening. B.I. 29.06.24
****** June Coffee Morning ******
Around 30 people attended the June coffee morning and the club made £181. As usual, many thanks to all those who helped and attended. Special thanks to Kaye and Chris Locke, our baristas, to Eileen and Paul, for running the morning, and to those who brought cakes and raffle prizes.
****** The Toilets Have Landed! ******
Some eighteen months after setting up the Crowdfunder appeal (how it all began) for new toilets, they finally arrived yesterday (Wednesday 26th June). After several delays, they arrived on the hottest day of the year so far. The recent dry weather meant that the delivering haulier could safely drive with the unit onto the playing field adjacent to the bowling green. The new unit was carefully and safely lifted over the maintenance equipment container and lowered into place. The toilets still need to be plumbed and wired in. Their purchase and installation is thanks to very many varied contributions in terms of time, planning, application paperwork, film making, online publicity, physical hard work of volunteers and generous financial donations of members and non-members. Thanks to Brian Ilbery for the spectacular photographs.
****** May Coffee Morning ******
A fine morning heralded the last day of May and the coffee morning of the month. Just to let you know that over 30 people came to yesterday’s coffee morning and we raised £209 for the club. Many thanks to Cheryl and Gordon, our baristas, Eileen for getting things ready, Paul for selling the raffle tickets, and those bringing raffle prizes and cakes. The three coffee mornings so far this year have raised just under £600! A short report, with a few photos, will appear on our website. The next coffee morning is Friday 28th June and I hope to see many of you there.
On a completely separate matter, we are hoping that the replacement toilets will arrive on June 20th; this very much depends on weather conditions as a large crane is needed to put the toilets in position. B.I. 01.06.24
On a completely separate matter, we are hoping that the replacement toilets will arrive on June 20th; this very much depends on weather conditions as a large crane is needed to put the toilets in position. B.I. 01.06.24
****** ...more hedgecutting ******
Sunday 26th May: BJR Trees came to the green again and finished the topping off of the conifer hedge at the tennis club end of the green (east). Quite a severe looking haircut. Thanks to Brian, Chris and Mike for the work in clearing the branches. They also finished laying the artificial grass in the ditches. Special thanks to Mike Britton for the adventurous photographs, some of which were taken from the top of the hedge!
****** Hedgecutting continues... ******
Local landscape contractor BJR Trees, who removed three trees in readiness for the installation of the toilet block was at the green today. He was continuing to reduce the height of the conifer hedge at the tennis court end of the green. The lowering of the hedge should help the condition of the grass at that end of the green. Thanks to the volunteers who helped to remove all the branches. 12.05.24
Photos by B.I.
Photos by B.I.
****** New Kit Has Arrived ******
The eagerly awaited new kit has arrived. Thanks to Paul Cooper for ordering and organising the distribution to the women on Friday 3rd May and the men before their match v Taffs Well on Saturday 4th May. The sun shone for the men to show off the new look for Pentyrch which also sports a new club badge and sponsors' logos. The club is very grateful for the generous sponsorship of our shirt sponsors:
Protect Commercial Insurance, Pure Vans Ltd., and Carpet Services Ltd., (Cardiff).
Protect Commercial Insurance, Pure Vans Ltd., and Carpet Services Ltd., (Cardiff).
****** New Toilets Preparation ******
If you have been to the club recently, you cannot have failed to notice that three of the large conifers around the existing toilet block and equipment container have been removed. This is to clear the area for the imminent (hopefully in May) installation of the eagerly awaited and much needed installation of a replacement toilet block. The trees were cut down last Sunday 28.04.24
****** April Coffee Morning ******
Many thanks to those who came to the coffee morning today (Friday 26th); it was a good turnout and we made £205. Special thanks to Anne and Alan Lowndes, our baristas, and to those bringing raffle prizes and cakes. We are very grateful for the support and it is enabling us to make improvements to our facilities.
The next coffee morning is on Friday 31st May, starting at 10.30 am. B.I.
The next coffee morning is on Friday 31st May, starting at 10.30 am. B.I.
****** First 'Spoons' of the Season ******
On Monday 22nd April, a week later than intended because of poor weather, the green was opened with the first session of 'Spoons'. Despite the gloom and cold a hardy bunch of over 30 came to play the first bowls of the season. Brian Ilbery and Iain Russell ran some coaching and taster sessions for new members whom we welcome warmly. It was a chance for many to see the fantastic results of the hard work carried out by volunteers of the green banking. The green also looks great and played well thanks to volunteers' work and advice and maintenance from Christian Page and his team at Absolute Grasscare.
****** New Sponsor for Bowling Green Brackets ******
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Metal Fabrication (Cardiff) Limited has kindly provided 300 brackets for attaching the ‘ditch’ boards to the edges of our bowling green:
The company has been fabricating steel since 1955. They manufacture and install primary and secondary structural steelwork, all types of stairs and fire escapes, railings, balustrades and bespoke architectural sheet metal and metal work in ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Pentyrch Bowling Club is undertaking major repair work to the edges of our bowling green and we are really grateful to Metal Fabrication for donating these brackets free of charge. |
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****** Green banking repairs, despite poor weather ******
The images below were taken after a working party session on Sunday 24th March. Another session of work took place briefly on Thursday 28th. Work has been postponed on several occasions due to shocking weather, despite that work has continued, albeit at a slower pace.
Iain Russell who leads the project said, "The work to raise the height of the banks and replace all the edging supports, we knew would be a big job, but also necessary. We also knew that we would only succeed with volunteers from the membership. Well, the volunteers have come forward and as you can see from the pictures, we have made fantastic progress. We could not have taken into account one of the wettest winters on record.
So, we are not where we wanted to be at this time. However, with a few dry days and more hard work from volunteers, we hope to have the work at a stage where we can play bowls on Monday 15th April." 28.03.24
Iain Russell who leads the project said, "The work to raise the height of the banks and replace all the edging supports, we knew would be a big job, but also necessary. We also knew that we would only succeed with volunteers from the membership. Well, the volunteers have come forward and as you can see from the pictures, we have made fantastic progress. We could not have taken into account one of the wettest winters on record.
So, we are not where we wanted to be at this time. However, with a few dry days and more hard work from volunteers, we hope to have the work at a stage where we can play bowls on Monday 15th April." 28.03.24
****** First Coffee Morning of 2024 ******
A good start today, with £184 raised at today’s coffee morning - the first of the year. Thanks to Ken and Alex, our baristas, to those bringing raffle prizes and cakes, and to the 30 people who came along to support us. Next Coffee Morning will be on the 26th April. Looking forward to seeing you then.
****** Coffee Mornings are back ******
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Our first coffee morning of the year will take place on Friday 22nd March, at 10.30 am. This is a week earlier than the normal last Friday of the month because Friday 29th March is Good Friday. Please come and support our coffee mornings that are an integral part of the club remaining sustainable. Enjoy delicious cakes, refreshing drinks and good company. See the improvements to the ditches and banks around the green that have been going on throughout the close season.
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****** More work on the green ******
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Since the last entry here about work on the green, there have been more working parties on Sundays and this last one on Friday 23rd February. Despite atrocious wet weather, which has meant some delays and postponements, volunteers have kept going with cutting the green as necessary on weekdays. The hard work of repairing the green borders is also progressing. The final side of the green (rugby pitch side) has been cut, ready for edging boards. Thanks to Iain, Mike, Peter and Adrian today.
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****** Community Link - Spring Edition ******
In the Spring edition of the local Community Link magazine, on page 24, you'll find an article promoting our club to potential new players and members. Click on this link for a digital version. Thanks to Pentyrch Community Council for publishing and to Deb Hunt also, for her continued support in displaying our regular advertisements for Coffee Mornings and other social events on community displays boards in local villages.
****** Women's Fixtures are now online ******
The Women's Fixtures for 2024 are now available online. Thank you to the Women's Fixture Secretary for organising them. Click here.
****** Winter Quiz - A good night ******
The gloomy weather did not deter over 90 people from coming along and enjoying the bowling club’s winter quiz on Friday night. Everything went well and there was a great atmosphere; just over £700 were raised - a great effort. Twelve teams tried to answer Gordon Tucker’s interesting, diverse and sometimes challenging questions. In the end, it was a close contest, with just five points separating the first three teams. The winners (for the second time in succession) were the Siriol Superstars (91 points) led by Iain Russell; the After Eights came second (90 points), led by Paul Cooper, and When Harry met the WI came third (86 points). Many thanks to the first two teams for returning their winnings to the club (sponsored by The Health Care Centre, Whitchurch and Canton); these will be used for the summer quiz.
Many thanks to the Social Committee for organising the quiz and special thanks to Gordon (quiz master); Eileen and Brian (for getting the food); Liz and Ajit (for selling raffle tickets: the raffle made £222); Paul (for getting the sponsorship from the Health Care Centre); Wendy and Peter (for being ‘on the door’); the staff on the Rugby Club bar; and those providing raffle prizes (including Pentyrch Pharmacy, Move2Here and Maison de Beauté). The support of members and club ‘friends’ is so important in keeping the bowling club financially sustainable; for this, we are especially grateful. B.I.
Many thanks to the Social Committee for organising the quiz and special thanks to Gordon (quiz master); Eileen and Brian (for getting the food); Liz and Ajit (for selling raffle tickets: the raffle made £222); Paul (for getting the sponsorship from the Health Care Centre); Wendy and Peter (for being ‘on the door’); the staff on the Rugby Club bar; and those providing raffle prizes (including Pentyrch Pharmacy, Move2Here and Maison de Beauté). The support of members and club ‘friends’ is so important in keeping the bowling club financially sustainable; for this, we are especially grateful. B.I.
****** Men's Fixtures now online ******
The Men's fixtures for the new season are now online here. Thanks to the Men's Fixture Secretary for organising.
****** Members' Handbook ******
Gordon Tucker had written a useful Members' Handbook as an informative guide to our bowls club. Click on this link for a pdf copy. The book is also accessible on it's own webpage; hover over the 'Membership - Join Us' tab on the main navigation bar above and you will see it on the dropdown menu.
****** Green Maintenance Continues ******
After some delays due to heavy rain, on a rare dry and sunny day, the maintenance team have restarted repairs to the green surrounds and have kept the regular winter mowing going too. Many thanks to all the volunteers involved.
****** Winter Quiz 2024 ******
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The social and fund-raising working group has met to discuss the programme of social and fund-raising activities for 2024. We spent most of the time organising the first event - our Winter Quiz, on Friday 2nd February, 7 for 7.30 pm in the Rugby Club. We now need the support of members and friends to help us get off to a good start in 2024. You can get your tickets (£6 each, to include a delicious supper) from any of those listed on the poster on the right.
Please, please come along and support your club (even if you don’t like quizzes!) as we are in the process of upgrading the club’s facilities - and this is costing a lot of money! We looking forward to seeing you there for a good social evening. B.I. |
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