Wimborne Bowls Club UK

21/09/2026

End of Season Fun Match - 2026

For those of you who were there, either playing or spectating, it was a fantastic way to celebrate the completion of our bowling year by having this ‘End of Season Fun Match’, with raffle, bar and of course, a wonderful American Supper.

With ideal bowling conditions, good weather was ordered and delivered, and the emphasis on fun, the match format of the day was 6 mixed triples involving 36 of our membership. The event notice was placed on the website several weeks ago for people to submit their name to play, or not, and to hint at what type of food they would bring along for the post-match American Supper.

Thanks again to Phil who kept us all up to date with ongoing activities throughout the season.

With league and competition matches concluded for the year, several members were on holiday and others were burned out after a long and arduous season, so attaining 36 bowlers was just about right, playing a triples match on each rink.

Throughout the season, raffle prizes have been donated when called for and each and every one of them are very much appreciated.

The American Supper was another triumph, the tables were groaning at the weight of all the food and needless to say, everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.

Steve W is always available to open the bar, whether he’s playing or not, a big thank you goes to him.
Help in the kitchen is always appreciated and yesterday, like every day, everyone did their bit.

Julie W and our Social Committee are a hard-working bunch and much credit goes to them by keeping all of us actively involved from the beginning of each year, to the very end, with more activities being planned and some already in the diary.

Of the 6 matches played, 3 were reasonably close encounters, with winning margins of 3, 5 and 6 shots. 2 matches ended with a greater winning margin, one with 10 and the next with 12.

The one stand-out performance, along with the Prestigious Top Rink award, came on Rink 6 involving Lorraine B, Jan W and Charlie C against Angela K, Therese W and Pauline E. After 9 ends, Skip Charie and team were just ahead by 9 shots to 8, but then catastrophe struck when Skip Pauline and team lost 6 shots on the 10th, 5 shots on the 12th and only won 1 of the remaining ends, eventually losing 30-9 with a 21-shot margin. Outstanding!

The green remains open until next Sunday evening, nothing official planned but is available for coaching and roll ups.
I’m looking forward to April 2027 already.

Please note: our AGM will take place in the clubhouse on Saturday 24th October at 10am, all members are encouraged to attend if they can.
Richard

20/09/2026

Wimborne v Wilton
Friendly Match - 19 September 2026

Following a request from Wilton to have 2 friendlies per season, we managed to squeeze this match in before the season closed and our opposition held their end of season event the next day.
The format this year changed from 4 mixed rinks to 6 mixed triples of 18 ends, the weather kept fine, a contrast to our earlier match when we had to take shelter during a tropical downpour.
The outcome was more or less even with Wilton taking the match 4 wins to 2, but Wimborne winning on shots aggregate by 104 to 97.
There wasn’t any doubt as to which team would be awarded the prestigious Top Rink award; winning by 26-8 and playing on Rink 5, Karen M / Mike H, Pete S and Steve W completely dominated their opposition throughout the entire 18 ends, losing only 6. Special mention to Karen, playing with a back injury and Mike who seamlessly joined the team as sub to maintain their high-quality performance.
Our next win, in dramatic and nail-biting style came from Rink 6 involving Therese W, Rob K and Dave C. Wilton outscored their opposition for the majority of the match, after 11 ends leading 13-6. Wimborne then put their foot on the gas to draw level at 14-14 with the final end to play. Who would’ve thought, on the nervy last end, Wimborne pulled out all the stops and won it by 4 shots, a great performance and a result of spending time on the mat and give full concentration on their shots.
The drama continued with the next 2 matches, Wimborne losing each by only 1 shot. On Rink 4, Dave S / Monica H, Jeffery E and Mike S were losing 10-4 after 8 ends but managed to draw level 15-15 with one end remaining. Unfortunately, Wilton took the 18th by 1 shot and the match by the same very narrow margin.
A very similar story on Rink 1 involving Carole S, Graham P and Steve B, again losing by 1 shot. Wilton took and early lead and lead 13-7 on 13th end. Wimborne fought back to within a couple of shots going into the 18th end. Needing 2 shots to draw, they only managed 1 shot to win the end but unfortunately not enough to force a very respectable draw.
In a remarkable match on Rink 3 involving Julie B, Rob L and Bryan M, Wimborne lost 22-17. In a game of 2 halves, Wilton led 21-1 after 9 ends. No way back for Wimborne some might say, but if there was ever an award ‘for giving the opposition a squeaky bum time’ only allowing Wilton only 1 further end, Wimborne increased their score from 1 to 17 after the final end, losing by only 5 shots. Well done to all concerned.
The Wooden Spoon, and someone always has to have the Wooden Spoon, goes to Susan H, Glynn D / Jean K and Richard W. Playing on Rink 2, Wilton were leading 13-5 after 9 ends. In another game of 2 halves, Wimborne then had a run of 5 winning ends, but 4 of them were only by 1 shot. Going into the final end 4 shots down, with a very slight hope of attaining a draw, Wilton produced a winning 4 shots to take the game with a margin of 8 shots.
Despite the ongoing roadworks and a food festival being held in town, all bowlers arrived in good time for the 2pm start.
This match was the last of our scheduled friendly fixtures of the year, with the End of Season Fun Match to come on the original final day of the bowling season (now extended by 7 days before we close the green until next April).
Friendlies have become a well-supported fixture by the whole club, not only by wanting to play (sometimes I have great difficulty with team selection and nominating substitutes after 9 ends) but by everyone mucking in to help each match, and make it a memorable event.
Where would we be without those helping in the kitchen, before and after the game, tidying up the clubhouse and putting away washed plates and cups.
Holding a raffle requires a lot of preparation with tickets, selling and having fun drawing the numbers, members donating prizes, not least earning funds for the club.
To our Bar Manager who is always willing to have the bar open, even when not playing in the match, and to his willing helpers during busy times, especially when we host touring clubs.
All-in-all, friendlies are a whole club effort and I’ll say it yet again, many thanks to all who continue to support these fixtures, enjoyment is the name of the game.
Richard

18/09/2026

13/09/2026

Our Australian Pairs Competition Finals took place today. The Val Hurst Trophy and The Barry Smith Plate. Congratulations to all our winners and runners up.

13/09/2026

Karen and Steve, winner of the Aussie pairs Val Hurst trophy

13/09/2026

Eileen and Mike, winner of the Barry Smith plate.

13/09/2026

Mike doing his stuff and winner with Eileen for the Aussie pairs Barry Smith plate

11/09/2026

The last Fridaynighters of the season. Friendly game of bowls followed by a Fish & Chips supper.
Congratulations to Robert Elliott for winning the men’s Fridaynighters trophy for the 2nd year running. Unfortunately our ladies Fridaynighters champion was unable to attend tonight, but she will collect her prestigious trophy at our annual awards lunch in November.
Many thanks to Judy and Mike, and all their helpers for organising this very popular event again this year. Looking forward to next season!

09/09/2026

Oxford Town & Gown Tourists
Friendly Match - 8th September 2026

Yesterday we welcomed back our old friends from Oxford Town & Gown, it was nice to see some familiar faces who had a good time last year when they visited Wimborne. The rain eventually stopped and the sun shone just before the 2pm start time and played its part in another very enjoyable afternoon of bowling.

Once again, many thanks to our members for ensuring the afternoon was a great success. Prior to our opposition’s arrival, the remaining pasties were cooked and made available to all, nibbles were prepared for before, during and after the match, raffle tickets sorted and sold, raffle prizes donated, hot drinks prepared, served and tidied away and the bar was available and not surprisingly, was very busy throughout the afternoon.

The match consisted of 6 mixed rinks playing 18 ends with a half time refreshment break where we introduced our subs. Looking back on last years match report, the overall match stats resulted in a win for Wimborne by 98 shots to 88, 58 ends to 51 and a draw with 3 wins each.

This year, initially the match seemed to be another extremely close affair, but after discovering a glaring error impacting on the final score, I won’t say what rink it came from, Oxford won 4-2, 106 shots to 84 and 56 ends to 52.

Our prestigious Top rink for Wimborne playing on Rink 4 goes to Graham W, Judy / Glynn, Bryan and Richard N winning 21-9 and taking 13 of the 18 ends played. Always in control of the match, 13-1 at half time and resisting a mini fight back from Oxford, a good win for us.

Our next best winners on rink 3 were Karen, Pete S, Ron and Richard W taking the game 24-17. At half time, Oxford led 12-6, but as the little something added to the Wimborne cups of tea kicked in, we turned the match on it’s head by scoring 18 shots in the second half. A great performance by all.

Our closest defeat playing on Rink 6 involved Dave S, Jen / Fiona, Mike and Angela losing 14-8. Tight scoring up to the half time break, Oxford leading 6-5, but with our opponents counting 1 shot on 6 of the remaining ends, the scoreboard kept ticking up and kept just out of reach of the Wimborne bowlers.

On Rink 2, Eileen, Steve W, Graham P and Dave C lost 18-11. Leading 6-0 after 5 ends, Wimborne got stuck until they scored 1 shot on the 11th end, tying the score at 7-7. Disaster stuck from 14th end onwards, Oxford scoring 11 shots to win the match.

A couple of large defeats on Rink 1 and Rink 5 by the same score, losing by 14 shots, but by virtue of ends won, Rink 5 took the Wooden Spoon.

Rink 1 involved Jenny / Carole, Therese / Julie B, Jan and Pauline, doing very well until the break and leading 10-4 after 10 ends. And there the Wimborne score stayed, stuck on 10 shots until the last end when they picked up 1 shot, losing 25-11.

And finally, the Wooden Spoon match on Rink 5 involved Peter M, Robb, Jeffery and Steve B, losing 23-9 but gaining the wooden spoon by only winning 6 ends. The score wasn’t too bad at the break, losing 9-6. But several lost ends later, Oxford lead 16-9 then scored 7 shots on the last two ends, finishing 23-9 winners.

Some good quality bowls played during the afternoon aided by a green surface that dried very well after the heavy rain that only stopped a few minutes before start time.

Another good afternoon was had by all and it says much about our club when visiting touring teams request a return match the following year. Friendlies remain a very popular distraction from the pressure of league matches and other competitions and it’s down to our members who all play their part in making it something to remember.

Once again, a big thank you to all our members who support the friendly matches and give their time to help and assist in all capacities before, during and after game day.

Richard

07/09/2026

💭How can bowls clubs attract new players - and give them a reason to stay?

The future of bowls may depend less on •promotion• and more on the •culture• newcomers experience. A welcoming club can turn curiosity into participation, friendship into belonging, and first visits into long-term involvement. An intimidating or overly critical environment can drive people away.

Most newcomers are looking for friendship, fun, and community - not immediate titles or elite competition. Clubs that support these motivations are more likely to retain members.

Have you experienced welcoming or unwelcoming club environments? How did the atmosphere affect your enjoyment and willingness to return?

How can clubs respect tradition while appealing to the next generation?

What practical changes would help newcomers feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and becoming part of the club?

If promotion brings people through the gate but culture determines whether they stay, what kind of culture should bowls clubs create?