CLAVERING BOWLS CLUB

The Clubhouse and bowling green are located alongside the tennis courts at the far side of the Jubilee Field beyond Clavering Village Hall car park

Clavering Bowls Club was established in 1985 - and some who helped originally to lay out the green are still among today’s Members and Vice-Presidents. The Club participates in two bowling leagues, North West Essex and Steeple Bumpstead. Clavering won Division 2 of the Steeple Bumpstead League in 2010 - maybe it was because we adopted new Club colours for playing matches during the year!

The 2011 Season began on Thursday, 28th April with the Opening of the Green which took the form of an informal cheese and wine evening after Members practised their bowling. This year, the evening closed with a Toast to Prince William and Catherine Middleton for their marriage the following day.

Preparing the Green

The bowling green has 4 rinks; the surface is prepared by Committee and other Club Members to keep it in good playing condition. Anyone who wishes to learn about greenkeeping is welcome to come and assist.

The green is inspected and certificated at the beginning of each season by Essex County Bowls Association, but the work involved with keeping it in good order continues throughout the season.

The Club is always keen to encourage new recruits -
have a look below to see how you could get involved.

Practice Nights From 6.00 pm on every Monday in the season, 2 of the 4 rinks are reserved for practice, with a warm welcome to newcomers who want an introduction to bowling. There’s usually a qualified coach available , but Members are very encouraging to anyone who wants to try out bowling - but if it’s raining cats & dogs, we’d probably go for a drink! All that’s needed is a pair of flat shoes (sorry, no trainers - their soles damage the green), we have a few pairs that can be borrowed. There are also some sets of woods you can borrow free of charge, so you can try different weights and see which suits you best.

What to wear? Easy - if you’re just starting off, come in clothing that allows you to bend freely and doesn’t impede arm movement. On becoming Members, people wear grey trousers and white shirts/sweaters, though some ladies prefer skirts.

OPEN DAYS - Taster sessions

The Club holds Open Days during the year so that anyone interested in bowling can come to the green and try it out. The first is Saturday, 7th May from 10.30 am-3.30 pm, children are welcome to try bowling too. You will need to wear flat shoes (not trainers). We will provide free tea or coffee, cakes and drinks for the children.

Remember - any time you want to try bowling, just turn up on a Monday evening at about 6 pm, or when you see the Clubhouse opened up and people around the green.

FUN BOWLING - for prizes! We’ve 2 definite occasions so far this summer when we will be using targets when you could also try bowling - and maybe win a prize!

Bank Holiday Monday, 29th August

Langley Fete

We will be taking the targets to Langley for their great Fête day. Another potential prize-winning opportunity to try bowling!

MORE ABOUT CLAVERING BOWLS CLUB

Clavering Bowls Club Members participate on numerous occasions during the season:
North West Essex League	Some Mondays and Wednesdays (men only)
Steeple Bumpstead League	Fridays (mixed), home and away
Competitions	Essex County, local area clubs and in-club
Friendlies	Ladies, Seniors and other Bowling Clubs
Gala Days
Charity events

Spectators are welcome at all Clavering Bowls Club matches

The Annual General Meeting will be held this year on Friday, 21st October in the Clubhouse. Trophies are presented - last year, all members who had played in the Steeple Bumpstead League matches received an engraved glass trophy to commemorate the Club’s winning the 2nd Division.

The Closing of the Green marks the end of the season with an informal supper in the Clubhouse, this year on 17th September.

The Annual General Meeting will be held in the Clubhouse this year on Friday, 21st October,

Christmas celebrations are kicked off with our Annual Dinner and, with Trevor Oliver an active member of the Bowls Club, we’re fortunate to hold it at the famed Cricketers in Clavering.

The Club is always looking forward to welcoming new recruits. For a low cost and healthy activity, an atmosphere that’s friendly and active, come and see us at Clavering Bowls Club.

Your key contacts at the Clavering Bowls Club are:

Mike Patmore (Captain) on 01799 550450
Margaret Nathan on 550619, and Tony Lye on 550427