Sidmouth Bowls Club members trooped outside for the Opening Drive of the season and, unsurprisingly, it rained!  

Despite the soggy setting, 56 members participated in this fun drive on St George's Day, with competition secretary David asking members to wear some red against their whites.

The outdoor drive is always started with the ‘Spider’, where a Jack is placed in the centre of the green, all players surround the green, with one foot in the ditch and one bowl in hand. On the count of three, all bowls are released and, after all the banging and crashing on the way, the one that ends nearest the Jack is the winner. The winner was Julie Wevill who was presented with the Spider Trophy and a bottle of bubbly.

Sidmouth Herald: Spider Winner

The bowling started properly in the rain and, as expected, many woods were only halfway up the green.  After seven months of not being played on, it was very heavy but appeared to be running well. For this we must thank the tremendous greenkeepers Graham, Barry and Noel for all their hard work, the whole year round.

It was so good to see so many new members playing and a great show of such brightly coloured bowls. After tea served by Jan, Jill and myself, the sun started to shine.

At the end of play all congregated to the bar to celebrate the summer season opening and to wish outdoor Captains Jill Bishop and Roger Stewart a good season. The bar stewards were Tony, Neil and Keith.  

Top rink: Janet Thomson, Anita Mason, Peter Bloomfield and John Squire, with a score of plus 12.  Runners-up: Tracey Archer, Marie Timms, Ron Peppin and Mick Cox, plus 8. 

Then came our first Touring team of the season, Westlecot BC from Swindon. There were nine playing rinks and a Devon cream tea was served by Christine and Chris Ward. The overall score was Sidmouth 139 Westlecot 131. 

A really friendly crowd who just love our club and our town, especially the seafront hotel which they have stayed in for many years. Our bar was managed by Neil, Susan and myself. Sidmouth’s top team was Barbara Donaldson, Denis Griffiths, Anita Mason and skip Tony Broughton, 20 – 12.