SEP 6th 2017 LADIES INVITATION TOURNAMENT

Post date: Sep 07, 2017 5:11:5 PM

The Witterings & District welcomed teams of Ladies from around our area to their Ladies Invitation Tournament on Wednesday 6 September. There were 10 visiting Clubs attending and 2 teams from Wittering, making a full 6 rinks. Everyone was invited to share a glass of ‘Sangria’ on their arrival before the start of the afternoons match.

We had group photographs and then there was a ‘spider’ to start and a collection taken for the Sussex Snowdrop Trust - a wonderful Charity that looks after very poorly children and their families in their own home. A donation of £100 will be sent to them shortly.

The Ladies played 3 sessions of 8 ends, changing rinks after each session and each Club playing 3 other Clubs during the afternoon. The weather was very kind to us and there was plenty of laughter and friendly banter around the green and the match was played in very good spirit.

There was a fantastic raffle with over 60 prizes which had been donated by the Wittering Ladies and our visitors. It was manned by 2 Wittering Ladies who raised a good sum for Club funds. There was also a draw for a special bottle of Vodka donated by the Club’s Chairman.

Following the match the Ladies enjoyed a lovely meal in the Pavilion which was bought, prepared and cooked by 2 wonderful Witterings Ladies (and a Gentleman!). The meal was served by gentlemen club members who were beautifully turned out in their ‘waiters’ uniforms complete with bow ties and waistcoats. They were much admired by all the ladies! There were many compliments received for all the catering.

Our adjudicator announced the prize winners explaining that the match had been extremely close, especially in 2nd and 3rd place. He was finally able to announce that 3rd place was won by Norfolk Ladies, and 2nd place by Rogate Ladies. Everyone was then very surprised (not least the winning team themselves!) and delighted to hear that the winners, who had in fact lost their first session, were one of the Witterings own team of Ladies. There were then more photographs, the winners presented with their prizes and the new Ladies Tournament shield handed to the winning team.

Thanks to all the hard work of so many Club Members, our greenkeeper who had prepared the green very early in the morning (with help from his faithful doggie friend ‘Bill’), our President on his hands and knees very early working on the green’s ditches and surrounds, our Vice Chairman preparing the equipment on the rinks and arranging the various furniture around the green. Inside the Pavilion 2 more Lady Members laid out the tables, dressed them expertly and so beautifully even with fresh flower decorations! Our President and his wife were kept busy looking after the bar all afternoon (and evening), and our Treasurer for his excellent adjudicating and as match Umpire.

Many thanks must go to our Ladies Captain who has done such a great job this year under difficult circumstances and also to our Club Chairman for all her help, support and encouragement.

This was a fantastic day that will be remembered for a long time in the Witterings & District Bowls Club – especially by the author of this report.

Chris.

(click on picture below to enlarge)