News
LATEST NEWS
Clean up day 2024
On Saturday 23rd March, a cold and blustery morning, over twenty hard working, enthusiastic members of the club turned out to Spring clean the clubhouse, kitchen, external surrounding areas and to start work on some much needed major roof repair to the visitors shelter that had suffered significant damage during the winter.
We washed, disinfected, scrubbed, mopped, brushed, steamed, vacuumed, painted, tidied, dismantled and scrapped to the local tip anything that was deemed beyond repair. A deep clean indeed and the end result of all this activity is a venue ready for the season. Thanks to everyone who contributed, an excellent display of teamwork with the usual ABC spirit.
The Green Team
On Friday 8th March a number of us gathered at the green to receive our our initial insight into green keeping with particular emphasis in this first lesson on grass cutting and aerating. Under the very watchful eyes of Alan Balderstone and excellent demonstration and guidance by Ron Tattersall we all had a turn with the mower, it's fair to say that none of us can throw our 'L' plates out yet but with further coaching we might just get to the standard required and be able to cut solo.
The Aerator was demonstrated beautifully by John Hilton. A substantial piece of machinery and more suited to some of our stronger members but the use of smaller aerator, scarifier, fertilizer spreaders and strimmer should be achievable with a few more lessons.
If you are interested in joining the Green Team, even if you believe your help is limited by how much time you can give or what you can do please contact Alan Balderstone 07595417069 alan.balderstone@talk21.com
ABC Annual lunch
On Sunday 24th January many of our club members gathered together at the Cumbria Grand hotel in Grange for the annual end of season lunch. Our thanks go to Brian and Karyn Loader for planning the event and providing us with some crazy after lunch games which in the spirit of Allithwaite were played good humouredly but of course competitively, there were prizes afterall!
Gillian Balderstone wins Kendal and District Division 3 Merit Championships 2023
Allithwaite were pleased to be able to enter players into two of these matches from our 'A' and 'C' teams and we are delighted to announce that Gillian Balderstone from our 'A' team won the competition beating in the final her opponent Paul Kinley from Kendal Victoria 21 - 9. Congratulations Gillian.
From left to right Colin Howarth, Chairman K&D League, Gillian Balderstone, Paul Kinley and Derek Wilson, Chairman Crosthwaite Bowling Club
Goodbye season 2023
After the challenging season of 2022 it was fantastic for us to be able to return to the Allithwaite Green for the 2023 season and enjoy both our social bowling and league matches. This return can be mainly attributed to the hard work and dedication by two key people, Alan Balderstone and Ron Tattershall who have tirelessly worked to restore the green and keep it in great playing condition through the season. Well done and thank you both.
The work on the green doesn't stop when we finish playing indeed the end of season treatments are vital to ensure that next season the green is even better. This year we decided to appoint an external company to help us and work was undertaken on September the 12th. A new member of the club, John Hilton, was there on the day to record the action for us.
You Tube Green renovations video
Further work on the green will be needed through the winter and into the 2024 season and with the announcement of the retirement of our Greenkeeper John Kendall after thirty years dedicated commitment to the club we are now actively seeking a new Greenkeeper. If you believe you could help the club with this or some of the duties of this role please follow the link. Greenkeeper
Perfect President's Day 2023
Saturday 2nd September and our last annual social event on the green and what a day.
Our President for 2023, Alan Balderstone with assistance from Terry Jeffries, Events Coordinator and Gillian Balderstone put on a day to remember, Alan even ordered sunshine!
The event was open to all club members either competing in a random draw doubles competition or simply there to spectate and support, while enjoying the competition, the company and the Jacobs Join feast, generously provided by our members.
34 members competed in the doubles competition which involved four rounds of seven ends so lots of action for everyone. The four highest scoring pairs went on to compete in a semi final and then onto the final.
Our finalists were Marysia Lear and Julia Nicholson v Karyn Loader and Ron Tattershall. The winners with a final winning score of 8 - 5 were Karyn Loader and Ron Tattershall. Congratulations.
For more photos of President's Day see Gallery
Centre our 2023 President Alan Balderstone with members Joyce Hawksford and Sandra Matthewman
Winners on President's Day 2023 from left to right Karyn Loader, Ron Tattershall & Alan Balderstone
Jack Johnston Open Competition 2023
On the 26th September we were delighted to hold our annual mixed doubles open competition sponsored by Carcraft. This special day is in remembrance of Jack Johnston, a long and loyal member of Allithwaite Bowling Club and fondly remembered by many current members.
We had twenty eight entries making for a good, long battle with some very close and some, not so close games and eventually we had our finalists, Angela Athersmith and Simon Bray v Bob Lord and Joan Loveland. It was an exciting final and hard fought game with the final score of 21 - 16
We were delighted this year that Jack's daughter, Linda was able to attend the event and present the trophy to our very worthy winners, Angela Athersmith and Simon Bray.
The runners up. From left to right Bob Lord,
Bob Lear, Linda Nott Joan Loveland
From left to right Linda Nott, Simon Bray and Angela Athersmith
Gillian Balderstone winner of the singles competition with Alan Balderstone ABC President 2023
The winner of the ABC Singles Bowling Competition for 2023 is Gillian Balderstone.
On Saturday 12th July we held our annual internal singles competition. The competition was open to all members with the games randomly selected making for a very interesting day.
The weather at 9.30am was dreadful but it didn't dampen our spirits for the game and eventually we were actually bowling in sunshine, unfortunately it didn't last long.
Our finalists were Lee Storey and Gillian Balderstone. The final score was 21 - 10. Commiserations to Lee but congratulations to Gillian who retains the singles trophy having won it in 2022.
Our runner up for 2023 Lee Storey with club President Alan Balderstone
From left to right David Pendlebury, Carol Naylor, Marysia Lear and Allan Wilson
The winners of the ABC Doubles Bowling Competition 2023 are Marysia Lear and Carol Naylor.
On Sunday 30th July we held our annual internal doubles competition. The competition was open to all members and the pairs drawn on the basis of their experience and ability. It was great to see some of our new members for this season joining in the fun and indeed some of our founding members both playing and spectating.
We couldn't say it was the best bowling weather but it certainly didn't affect the play with some very close games, lost and won in, of course, the best Allithwaite spirit.
Our finalist were Marysia Lear and Carol Naylor playing against David Pendlebury and Allan Wilson . David and Allan had played brilliantly throughout the rounds but they just couldn't beat the ladies with the final score at 21 - 5. Congratulations to Marysia and Carol who take away the crystal trophies for this year. Well done!
Charity Day Sunday 9th July 2023
On Sunday 9th July we held our annual Charity Day this year supporting not one but two charities Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer.
The day was a resounding success and even the storm in the middle couldn’t put the dampeners on our spirits, well rain never stops play in Crown Green bowling so why should our Charity Day be any different?
The event was planned and organized by Gillian Balderstone, Jeanne Tattershall and Linda Schofield who were magnificently assisted by Alan Balderstone, Ron Tattershall, Brian Schofield, Brian Burton and Ann Scott. Thank you all.
The day included some fun but competitive bowling, lots of silly games, a tombola, a raffle and a barbecue. The raffle was supported by many local companies who provided for us some fantastic prizes resulting in local ticket sales in excess of 1000 and contributing significantly to our fund-raising event, we thank them and everyone who bought tickets for their generosity.
Our fund raising will continue to the end of our season, however, we are extremely pleased to report that funds raised to date are £927.00
Should you wish to contribute to either of these very worthy charities please follow the links.
Winner of the Jack and Eileen Holden Trophy 2023 is Peter Slater.
On the 10th June our annual handicapped competition for the Jack and Eileen Holden trophy was held. The trophy was originally given to the club by Eileen Holden in remembrance of her husband Jack who played for Allithwaite for many years.
The day was a great success with 22 members seeking a win and we had many very close games. The final battle was between Peter Slater and Margaret Wilson with Peter eventually winning 21 - 17 Well done Peter.
From left to right Brian Loader, Terry Jeffries, Linda Schofield, Brian Burton (Founder Member), Alan Balderstone, Eric Hubbard, Brian Schofield, John Kendall (Founder Member), David Pendlebury and Margaret Lang
The famous Allithwaite Jacobs Join buffet
Allithwaite members and friends celebrate their 30th anniversary
On the 14th May 2023 Allithwaite bowling club celebrated their 30th anniversary by holding one of their famous social events including friendly but competitive bowling matches, fun bowling games, an amazing raffle, fantastic food provided by everyone attending and of course a birthday cake.
30th Birthday cake made by Ann Scott