Harris Hogg was on show celebrating the Chinese New Year, fortune cookies for all. It was his friend Millie Ham turned up to keep him company.
Fun was had with the Chinese New Year calendar as members found out whether they were born in the year of the snake, boar or tiger, etc.
We went to Marshfield hoping to improve the result we obtained at home on the 18th November 2025, being 29-40, 3-6 points. However we weakened in the second half after having won an end in the first half.
Final result 21-47, 2-7 pts, well done to Sheila, Esther and Les for the one win 9-6, however they lost their second game 4-11. Whilst Nick, Carol and Terry lost their 2 games 3-14 and 5-16.
But coming away with 2 points was good as Marshfield are not an easy team to win on their rinks.
Last night we played Melksham away at Broughton Gifford, we went with high hopes following our win at Beversbrook 33-31 recently. Unfortunately it was not our height and we lost 20-60, we did improve in the second half only losing the 2 games by a total of 12-22. As always we were well looked after with cake at half time, whispers of whisky abounded, but I think it was only an essence! But whatever it was, we did bowled better for it.
Many thanks to Lorraine and all at Melksham for an enjoyable evening.
Firstly, many thanks to Carol and Pat for organising this first session and also to Sheila for taking over placing Nick’s woods and Terry and John for there invaluable advice during the session.
The reason for these sessions is to help ESMBA members to gain confidence and knowledge to enable they to take part in County. Competitions/Leagues in the future if they wish to.
The session started with Carol explaining why it was taking place and Pat explaining the teams and format of the session.
League teams are made up of 3 players with 2 bowls each, not 3 as is played in our social games.
This requires greater skill and understanding of the game. A league game is made up of 2 half
1st half is 2 trial ends and followed by 9 ends, then a break for refreshments
2nd half is a further 9 ends.
The option is to play a 1st half, stopping when members need information or advice.
The session went very well and at the debriefing members said how much they had learned and appreciated the help they had received, it had been a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
The next session will be on Friday 30th January, 2pm to 4pm.
Now follows photographs.
Read in full“CALNE ESMBA Members practice session 16th January 2026”
We had a full house with several visitors, after the session ended and all was cleared away we had our usual nibbles, many thanks to those who supplied them.
As usual Harris Hogg was there with his reindeers and suitable Christmas accruements ! We also had our annual photograph with many members attired in suitable festive clothes, even that elf turned up again, this could be his last appearance, thank goodness.
We also had the first draw of our 50;50 club that helps raise money for good causes, in the year 2024/25 we donated £300 to the Air Ambulance and £300 to Calne Welfare Charities. The winner of the draw was Ro Smith with Peter Robert’s as runner-up.
It was a great afternoon, enjoyed by all.
Many thanks to all our members who have supported the club this year and contributed to such a good atmosphere in which to play Short Mat Bowls.
As this is the last posting for 2025, may we wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy 2026 and to say thank you to all the staff at Beversbrook Sports and Community Facility for all their help over the year it is much appreciated.
Finally the photos
The above game which was due to be played on November 28th has now been rearranged to be played on Wednesday February 4th at 7-30pm.
At our evening session some members dressed up and there was ‘spooky’ food at the end. Even Harris Hogg brought sausage rolls and managed to get on a chair for the phot.
We also had the 12th and last draw of the 50/50 club, the draws will start again in December 2025 once members have purchased their number for the next 12 months.
The winner was Angie Fish (1) with the runner up being Martha Mason (38)
In September Harris Hogg initiated an Alzheimer’s awareness fortnight at the Club, in support of Alzheimer’s Awareness month.
With the support of the members a total of £125 was raised, after discussion it was agreed that this should be donated to Beyond Dementia (formerly Alzheimer’s Support) in Devizes. They were chosen as several people from Calne attend their sessions and it was a local group that provides activities for members who fall within their remit.
As a result I recently visited them me up with members and watch a music activity taking place, I met Becci the manager and Janet, chair of the trustees. There is no doubt that our donation was well received and will go towards funding activities of their members.
Now a photograph, for once including yours truly.
It was a very enjoyable evening with the game being played on diagonal mats for a change, in an effort to improve the run of the woods. It did appear to work as both teams coped better with our difficult floor, however one game did produce an end with no bowls on the mat with both teams scratching their heads wondering how that happened.
The final result was 33-31 to Calne, earning the bonus point (3pts – 6pts).
Scores;
Pat, with Carol and Nick 16 – 8 and 6 – 7
Les, with Esther and Angie 5 – 7 and 6 – 9.
Whilst both teams bowled well, it was one of the best performances produced by Calne and they were unlucky to not to get a better result.
For comparison – last year we lost 19-35.
Now for the photo
Last night we had our first game in the Winter League. We travelled to Crudwell with high hopes, unfortunately it was not our evening and whilst we played well we were well beaten in the end by a very good Crudwell team 22-53 (0pts-9pts), we now look forward to the return game in February next year at Beversbrook.
Here is a phtograph of the happy band of players, taken at half time.
We took part in the above event and had an enjoyable time, well done to Beccy and Barbara for having a go at boxing and to Erin for winning the Target competition with a score of 10, an achievement on a mat that had a mind of its own on the day. We also managed to raise some money for the Calne Welfare Charity. In addition Harris Hogg had an outing in his summer holiday gear.
The winner was Mike Lewis (5) and the runner up Phil Milham (40), well done the next draw is on the 23rd July 2025
