Founded in 1897
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Sunday 1 June - bowls to watch
Bowls is a great game to play, but you can also get a great deal of enjoyment in watching others play, especially if you have a particular interest in supporting one of the two sides playing.
The National and Counties matches are reaching critical stages in those competitions and in the week ahead (starting tomorrow) there are games every evening for your entertainment.
Have a look at who might be playing here.
Friday 30 May - Friday night surprises
One of the most enjoyable of Mens' competitions is the two wood Friday Night League. There is always a good deal of banter which takes place coupled with some serious bowling.
Last year the champions (Marlowe) were only crowned on the last end of the last day of competition; it was that close.
So we thought we should have a quick look at how things were going this year to see if we could spot trends and perhaps have a little flutter on who might come out on top.
So before they play tonight this is what the top 3 of the Premier Division looks like:
Buzzards were in contention last year, but fell away towards the end, but a strong start this year. They have strength in depth (Ellis x 2, Catt, Ferguson and Tompkins).
Owls are a surprise package having only been promoted from Division One this year, but they have settled in quickly and also have some proven, reliable, bowlers (Attaway, Cunningham, Harding, James and Stillwell).
Invicta escaped relegation by a whisker last season, but came with a late run which secured their Premier position. Their line up has some of the club's most trophy-winning players (Causer, Cornfoot, Goddard, Hudson and White).
Too early to make any predictions, but surely last year's winners, Marlowe, will get their act together before too long.
The full table can be seen here.
PS. Update after Friday 30th matches
Buzzards continued their winning streak.....Marlowe did make a comeback, but only just...Owls could only draw....updated table can be seen
Tuesday 27 May - new divisional competition
Kentish bowls is structured in four divisions across the County, roughly north, south, east and west. We are in Division Four. This year the County has instituted a new competition to have the divisions competing against each other.
The first match was played last Sunday with Division Four beating Division Three 117-86. Four Canterbury players represented the Division, Paul Causer, Mick Fisher, Pete Foster and Isaac Tompkins. Well done all.
The next match is scheduled for 22 June against Division Two and the same four have been selected with the addition of Steve Wells. The final match against Division One is on 29 June.
Mick Fisher has been selected to play for Kent in the Middleton Cup match away against Middlesex on 7 June.
When do they get any time to do other things?
Saturday 24 May - White Rose
We have quite a number of club members engaged in National Competitions on behalf of themselves as individuals, as well as on behalf of the club and this website tries to watch progress here. There is another type of National competition at a County level and it is for men under 25 and it's called the White Rose Trophy.
Next weekend the Regional Finals take place at Horsham Bowls Club involving County sides from Kent, Middlesex, Surrey and Sussex.
Amongst the Kent A team is Canterbury's Joe Vandepeer. As you can see from the schedule he is going to be very busy over the two days.
While on National competitions, an especial mention for Yvonne Gambrill, the club's reigning Ladies Champion, who has progressed further than any of our other National entrants so far. She has won through two rounds and is now in the Regional Quarter Finals of the Women's Champion of Champions competition and she plays at home in the next round.
Thursday 22 May - congratulations to Paul
Earlier today Kent County played a friendly match against Surrey at Croydon Bowls Club. Canterbury were represented by Steve Wells and Paul Causer (Canterbury "old boy" Chris Dawson was also playing).
It was also an occasion for Paul to receive his County Badge from County President, Chris Smith, in recognition of his achievements in the Unbadged County competition of 2024.
Tuesday 20 May - all competition draws now made
There are some twelve knockout competitions which run throughout the season and the draws for them are now displayed here.
Friday 16 May - more than a Coffee Morning
The weather looks good for tomorrow and everyone is invited to come to South Canterbury Road to explore what our bowls club has to offer and it is more than just coffee. Lots of things to see and buy. Bargains galore. A lovely spot to sit and relax with plenty of free parking.
Friday 9 May - remembering the end of WW11
Another enjoyable gathering organised by the Social Committee saw close to 70 members coming together to remember a day of celebration 80 years ago - VE Day. Brains were tested, flags were waved and the 1940s were recreated in music and costume. Food was provided by modern-day land girls.
In the competition for the most appropriate dress of the period Ian Burton was awarded the prize. Such sights are rare.
MC Colin Spooner was on hand to help out with guidance if the puzzles of the day were too tricky.
And it was good to see one or two members restored back to health.
Wednesday 30 April - up and running
The season has got off to a great start in glorious weather. Tuesday started with a close win for the ladies down at Deal by 47-46, winning two out of the three triples. Highest winning rink was Eunice Holder, Christiane de Weduwe and Alison Macdonald.
The men got off to a good start in the Forest of Blean League on Tuesday evening beating Faversham by 105-93 with Colin Strouts, Dean Ellis and Darren Ellis getting the highest winning rink accolade.
On Wednesday afternoon we had a visit by Kent Police. We were let off with a caution as we beat them 115 - 110.
We asked them to take part in a line up and they, being good sports, obliged.
Canterbury's highest winning rink was Terry Clayson, Andy Ferguson and Mandy Catt on a splendid afternoon of good company and fine weather.
Sunday 27 April - thanks to everyone for a wonderful Open Day
The Bowls Gods smiled and produced six hours of sun for the Club's Open Day on Saturday. The membership were out in force to greet the very large numbers of the general public who turned up to try our addictive sport of bowls. The team of coaches had very little rest during those six hours and indeed, even before the scheduled start time of 10am. A special mention for Ros who diligently recorded details of all the participants so that coaches could be allocated for further training.
There are too many people who contributed to this success to list them all here, but the administrative four of Sue Close, Barbara White, Richard Close and Bob Keen, who were chained to their seats for the duration, need a special thankyou.
Tuesday 22 April - draws for National competitions complete
Some club bowlers will be playing bowls nearly every day in May now the full draws have been made in County and National competitions. But if you are not playing yourself, it does mean that on most evenings there will be matches to watch and on those sunny days in May, with a glass of something in hand what could be better?
The full extent of matches is set out in the County and National page.
Monday 21 April - more Opening Day photos
Thanks to Richard Close we now have a set of formal photos for our History pages.
Men's opening day
Ladies opening day
President Sue bowling the first wood on Men's Opening Day
Guest Leah Bamford bowling the first wood on Ladies Opening Day
Sunday 20 April - Ladies Opening Day
The Ladies suffered a double whammy on their Opening Day of the season. Being on Easter Sunday restricted the numbers who could get away from family obligations and then, those that could get away did not enjoy the sun that the men were lucky enough to have on Saturday. But, nevertheless some fine bowling was on display, especially from the Chairlady's team who comfortably saw off the Captain's team challenge.
The Chairlady's highest winning rink was Wendy Wright, Val Hughes and Maddie McConomy whilst that on the Captain's side was Viv Denny, Anne Burton and Jenny Anderson.
Liz Long won the spider for the second year running, which must be some sort of record!
Captain Jenny Anderson handed over the day's trophy to Chairlady Alison Macdonald.
Jenny and Alison
Saturday 19 April - Men's Opening Day
It was a good day to play bowls in April, sunny with a stiff breeze, as evidenced by the horizontal flags.
The greens were a credit to Damian Hone and his greenkeeping team.
A very good turnout of over 60 men members had come to this first event of the season featuring the Captain's Team against the President's Team being contested over 10 rinks. It was extremely close with the victory belonging to the Captains by 6 shots overall.
The webmaster was lucky enough to win the spider and received his bottle of scotch from Captain for this year, Tony Dobson.
The Captain's highest winning rink went to the triple of Michael Hutchison, Russell Feast and Rodney Hummell.
The President's highest winning rink went to the pair of Graham Jackman and John Andrews. Graham achieved a feat rarely seen when he had three consecutive touchers, now immortalised on film.
The formal photos of Sue Close, our President, bowling the first wood and the assembled men's company will be shown in a day or so, together with those from the Ladies Opening Day which takes place tomorrow.
Finally, many thanks to two lady members, Karen Owen and Mandy Catt, who did sterling work throughout the afternoon behind the bar.
Friday 11 April - how we got to South Canterbury Road
It was over 30 years ago that the decision was made to move our Club to South Canterbury Road. Key people involved in that complex move are still members of our Club, Dick Mortley, Ian Burton, Alan Cornfoot, Mike Talbot and Joy Burton.
We asked Dick, the Chair of the Development Committee, to put his memories on paper for our History pages and he obliged. His memories have been supplemented by photos supplied by Ian Burton.
To see Dick's memories go to History and scroll down to the bottom then click on the pdf.
Tuesday 8 April - summerhouse
Reflecting its name in the glorious spring weather our historic summerhouse has been reunited with its twin shields.
Thanks to Ian Burton for the initiative to replace the old ones and to Andy Ferguson for the photo.
Saturday 5 April - fixture cards
Today fixture cards start to be distributed. The expanded, online version of the fixture card can be found if you just go to Competitions.
Thursday 3 April - draws for National competitions
Most of the draws for National competitions have now taken place and our Club entries are listed here and we will track progress in due course.
Tuesday 1 April - not long now
Thanks to the teams of volunteers, (the greenkeepers, the maintenance team and the gardeners), the signs of spring and the outdoor season are gradually appearing and their sight uplifts the soul.
The hard work of bulb planting in the winter has been rewarded with some wonderful colour.
And the maintenance and gardening teams will be further rewarded with colour which is yet to come, as previously untended areas have been restored and then planted, as the before and after pictures show.
Some also support us in other ways
