A fantastic end to the outdoor season with a win for THE GIRLS!  Ah, revenge is sweet.
Saturday afternoon went with a swing in glorious September sunshine. We had 33 on the green (Scott kindly came in part way through for Nadine when she was under the weather)

A brilliant start for Jacqui, Stella, Sarah & Lucy when they were 17-0 after 11 ends. Gordon and his boys just weren’t allowed anywhere near the jack!  Our other three rinks couldn’t match that and we were ahead on all four rinks for a lot of the game.
Ann H’s girls played steadily throughout and stayed in top from the 5th end onwards against Kevin L’s chaps. Well done Corale who crept in for shot on more than one occasion. She and George were vying for shot on nearly every end.
Teresa & Barry had a call this morning when Tasha & Janice were both poorly. Along with Nadine/Scott and Corinne they managed to stay ahead most of the game until Steve, Norman, Shaf & Tony pulled it out of the bag on the 21st end to win 23-21.
Meanwhile on rink 3, it was neck and neck with Jean, Ange, Tricia & Joan v Julian (debut match), Gym, Brian C & Ray V all the way through. Julian and Brian C had an amazing 21st end putting their four bowls in very close proximity to the jack. Ange’s first bowl turned Tricia’s bowl in for 2nd shot and her second bowl gracefully glided through the packed head without touching anything. How?  Jean’s two bowls were not a million miles away but Gym Bicycle-Brown played an absolute pearler to take the second shot out giving the chaps a three and a final one  shot win as the sun faded behind the clouds.
The banter bounced back and forth across the rinks and the joy of playing a final match in such good company along with spectators was pure joy.
Ann H won the “Robin” giving her a bottle of single malt whisky whilst the entry fees contributed £50 to the Macmillan Cancer Support Fund.
Jacquie Elkin provided the robin and made some very welcome pots of tea while Scott did a fine job behind the bar.
A great collaboration from all the members who helped wash up and clean up afterwards not just in the dining area but also all the outdoor equipment and chairs. Thanks to one and all.  It couldn’t have been better !

Wow, wasn’t there a lot to take in yesterday and, taking everything into account, the previous 10 days.  The disbelief, the crowds, the flowers, the emotions and The Queue.  There will never be another one like it.

Amid the grandeur, it was good to hear that simple services were going on around the country.  Ray V reported

We went to Richmond Service for The Queen Sunday Evening at St Mary’s Church Twickenham. Sat in the second row behind Munira Wilson MP Sarah Olney MP mayor of Richmond, the leader of Richmond Council and various other VIPs. The service had a similar format to the main one at Westminster Abbey but at least two mentions of corgis and horses.

I think maybe we were all hoping for horses and corgies somewhere as both meant so much to Her Majesty.  It was wonderful to see they had been included not only at small memorial services across the land, but also when she arrived at Windsor. with her favourite pony, Emma, and the corgis Muirk and Sandy.

The removal of the sceptre, the orb and then the crown followed by the laying of the banner by King Charles III and the breaking of the rod by the Lord Chamberlain ended the Elizabethan age and put the final closure and farewell for the general public.  The lone piper. It was a very symbolic and moving, creating more tears.  For the family, I am sure they need the remaining 7 days of mourning so much.  All the mourning since The Queen’s death was announced has been in public with cameras all over the place.  They all did so well, holding it together, just as the Queen would have instructed them.  All credit to Her and them.

20 million of us watched the funeral on television, then there were the 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey and 800 at Windsor.  Adding the thousands of people lining the streets in London and all the way to Windsor, I wonder if the total was near the 4.1 billion predicted when you take in the rest of the world?  We shall probably never know unless we have to enter details on the next Census.

Today seems like a new start of everything. New day.  New King. New Prime Minister. New Police Commissioner to name but a few. It was different.  Or was it my imagination …..?

 

as well as a time for changes!

if you feel you can offer to help the club by taking on any roles, however small, please let us know. Many hands make light work.
Most of us have skills from current or pre-retirement employment that can be put to good use to keep the Club moving forward.
Have a think and a chat  with fellow bowlers.
Thanks

As expected Cambridge Park hoisted their flag to half mast yesterday morning , thanks to Sarah & Norman.
It is actually a third rather than a half.
This morning the flag was raised to full mast (thanks, Sarah) and will remain so until 13:00 tomorrow, Sunday,  in accordance with government guidelines during an Accession to the Throne.
Tomorrow afternoon, the flag will be returned to half mast for the remainder of the mourning period until after the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. (Funeral is thought to be on Monday 19th September)

God Save the King!

 

PS  You may need to store this information as it is sure to pop up in a pub quiz in the next few months)