News

CROMER MARRAMS BOWLS CLUB – JUNE 2023 NEWSLETTER

Hello Members,

We started bowling on Friday 7th April. The following day there were over 20 members taking part in the first Spoon Drive. We have had a further 3 Spoon drives, all well attended. Andrew H was winner of 2 of them with Nigel C second. Not doing quite so well were Tony B and Chris H! A Coronation spoon drive saw funds raised for NANSA of £142. Surprise winner was Neil P with +25, 2nd was Roger O, with David M picking up a very nice Charles III spoon! The players and other members then enjoyed a tea with sandwiches and cakes. Following a friendly match cancellation, a spoon drive was held which resulted in a worthy win for Captain Keith P. A Ladies/Gentlemen spoon drive was won by Jean S and Clive M.

We began the ‘competitive’ side of the season with a friendly against the touring team from Newark Town BC. Although we won 3-1 on rinks and 90-51 on shots our visitors enjoyed our facilities and hospitality for three further evenings. Thanks to John B and other club members for hosting a quiz and other activities. Kings Lynn BC visited for a lovely afternoon but beat us, 93-104 shots. Best rink was Chris H, Bob K and David Be, 19-11. We enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Weybourne BC, winning on all 3 rinks, with the best being Jean N, George B and Neil P, 22-8 shots.

The mens EBA league fixtures began at Fakenham in the wet with a 1-4 points loss, 56-65 shots. Winning rink was Marc S, Keith P, John Br and Roger G, 22-18. At home to Sheringham Morley we just managed a 3-2 points win, 59-56 shots, victory with only Marc S, John Br, Steve H and Roger G winning. Away at Reepham Nomads led to a 1-4 loss, 50-61 shots. Winning rink for Cromer was Bob A, Clive M, John Br and Roger G, 17-15. At home to leaders Lakeside Pilgrims, we were unfortunate to only win 3-2 points, 65-51 shots losing one rink on the final end. Top rink was James P, Allan H, Roger O and Nigel C, 34-12.

In the mens Fermoy Cup against a very strong County Arts team, predictively the loss was 18-45 shots over the 2 rinks.

In the Federation league we now have 2 teams playing. The Crabs, in Area B Division, began at home to Overstrand. It was a great start with a 9-0 points victory, 79-31 shots. Top rink was Bob A, Roger O and Roger G, 41 shots to 9, including a top shot end of 9 shots. Congratulations to them. They then travelled to Smallburgh & Dilham in wet conditions, losing 3-6 points, 46-49 shots, with winning rink Roger G, Steve and Neil, 19-10. At home to Holt Cromer again won 9-0 points, 56-41 shots. The game at neighbours Suffield Park resulted in another great 9-0 points win for Cromer, 57-34 shots. Top rink Marc S, Roger O and Roger G, 24-10. The Crabs are now top and at home to Swanton Abbott on a very cold evening they gained 7-2 points win, 65-36 shots. Top rink was James P, Allan H and Nigel C, 30-11.

The Crows, in Sub Area C Division, travelled to play Reepham Nomads. They lost narrowly on 2 rinks for an overall loss of 2-7 points, 41-43 shots. Best rink was Paul C, Ian H and Clive M. Next, at home to RG Carter ‘B’, was a 7-2 success, 57-54 shots. Top rink was Jean N, Colin and John Br, 34-10. Away at New Road (N.Walsham) the loss was 0-9 points, 33-61 shots. At home to Cawston a very tight draw 4½ points each, 47-47 shots. Best rink was Jean S, Brenda S and Ian H, 18-11. The Crows visited Mundesley and won well by 7-2 points, 48-42 shots. Best rink was Colin S, Geoff J and David R, 22-13. 

In the NANSA league we started with a home game against West Runton and drew 4-4 points, 50-51 shots, winning on 2 rinks. Best rink was David H, Brenda S and Steve H. The visit to Sheringham Morley was successful, winning 6-2 points, 54-44 shots. Top rink was Gordon G, Andrew H and Steve H, 24-9. The visit of Suffield Park gained another 6-2 points win, 58-55 shots. Best rink was George B, Jean N and John Br, 26-13.

The first leg of the knockout cup was played at home to Banningham which ended all square on shots, 48-48. Cromer won on 2 rinks, the best being Jean N, Clive M and Neil P.

The area around the green is looking much more inviting following the NNDC getting the probationary service to paint the benches. We thank them for a job very well done. Thanks to John Browning the club memorial benches are being sanded and painted to match.

The green has been playing very well despite the damage inflicted by persons unknown. First it was ‘attacked’ with a sharp implement and divots made. This was followed recently by individuals sliding on the green and digging their heels deeply into the surface (13 times!!). If anyone has information about the culprits it would be most welcome. In the meantime, the police have been informed and CCTV cameras have been installed.

Several new bowlers have joined us for the new season and are helping to contribute to the league teams. There are club matches afternoons, evenings and weekends. Seven days a week, from 10am to dusk, you can also play a ‘roll up’. All this for only £65 subscription, about £2.70 a week. Where else can you get such a fun and healthy leisure pursuit so cheaply!! We have introduced ‘Club Time Bowls’ sessions on a Monday afternoon(2pm), Wednesday morning(10am) and Friday evening(6.30pm) to give more members the opportunity to play socially. Although take up has been poor so far, we hope for better numbers when the weather improves.

The green is looking wonderful. It continues to be cared for with recent spiking and Spring feed, plus the usual regular mowing and scarifying. Thanks to the ‘green team’ for switching and mowing. The committee would like to thank those members who volunteered their time around the green, painted the clubhouse and cleaned the interior.

We are again keen to advertise to the public, both locally and visitors, that the green and clubhouse will be open for play every day, Monday to Friday, morning and afternoon. We are still looking to cover Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, so if you are regularly available to be at the clubhouse on those sessions (or any others, as more cover on all days would be ideal) please let Neil Patrickson know. 

If you have family/friends who are not sure they wish to be involved as a club member just yet, then the green is open for the public to play, as and when open. They can just turn up with smooth soled, flat shoes, borrow a set of bowls and play for 1 hour at £2.50 per person, 2 hours for £4.00 per person. 

The Club competitions are in full swing. Good luck to everyone who has entered. It is great to see a lot more entries than in the last few years. Please keep up to date on who you have to play and try to organise games early. There are a lot of games to play and although the early ones don’t have to be played until 13th/18th June it is surprising how the time flies by and all the other league, friendly and club competition fixtures reduce the availability of players! Competition rules are attached for your information.

An addition to the fixtures, the postponed NANSA game at home to Smallburgh and Dilham has been rearranged for Thursday 31st August.

The bar continues to be open on Fridays from 7pm for members and visitors. Drinks at club prices!

For more information see the club website at cromermarramsbowlsclub.com or phone Neil on 01263 513901 or 07814060413.

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club CommitteeMembership Form

Full Name ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Post Code ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Home Telephone Number ………………………………………………………………………

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Previous Club (if applicable) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Proposer ………………………………………………………        Seconder ……………………………………………………………

As a member of the Cromer Marrams Bowls Club, I promise to abide by the rules of the Club and act in the best interests of the Club at all times.

*I give/do not give permission for my Home Telephone number/Mobile Phone Number/Email Address 

to be available to club members.

*Full Member/Social Member

Signed …………………………………………………………………………………      Date ……………………………………………

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