100 Years - Celebrating Bowling - Start of the 2018 season
Photos by year
Centenary Season at Rykneld Crown Green Bowling Club
Event No. 2
The opening of the Green for the 100th Season
Over 50 members gathered on Sunday morning 25th March to welcome Mr Mayor, Councillor Whitby and his wife, Madam Mayoress to participate in the revival of an old custom at Rykneld.
Historic photographs of the ‘Opening of the Green’ from the last century show the Mayor rolling out the jack and the 1st wood. The Centenary sub-committee thought that it would be great to replicate this ceremony in the 21st century.
Fortunately, after all the very inclement weather, it was a gloriously sunny and warm day when Members gathered to meet the mayoral couple who arrived punctually at 11am.
Whilst in the Club House, there was time to introduce our Directors and Committee Members (past & present) to them before moving out to the Starting Point and gathering captains and players to form the ‘back drop’ to the ceremony. Ian Millward took numerous photographs throughout the morning for posterity.
Mr Mayor was invited by The President, Dennis Young, to ‘send out the jack’ and bowl the 1st wood of the season on the well-manicured Green. After applause it was declared that
"The Green is now open for the 100th season!"
This was the signal for players raring to go on to the Green and enjoy their first practice ‘roll ups’ of the season - and included a few more woods sent by Madam Mayoress. The couple coped very well with the task, unphased by all the ‘experts’ watching.
Light refreshments were available in the Club House where there were photos of the ceremony in the last century and an opportunity for the Mayoral couple to chat with members informally both in inside and on the seating outside too.
Members continued their roll ups as the Mayoral Party said farewell at 12noon to move on to their next engagement.