Centenary Celebrations
The club was officially incorporated as a limited company on 20 February 2018.
This centenary year was marked by five separate events at the club:-
Rykneld Bowling Club 100 Years - Event No.1
Celebrating Incorporation - Sunday 25 February 2018
Tuesday 20 February 2018 - marked the birth date of Rykneld Bowling Club when the formal ‘Letters of Incorporation’ were lodged with Companies House in London.
On Sunday February 25th 2018, the Club held a very special event for invited guests to mark the occasion. Nearly sixty members were welcomed by the President, Dennis Young, at 12noon.
Richard Knowles, Director, gave a most fascinating, illustrated history of the club from inception to present day. From land purchase to playing, personalities and success through the years
Cliff Robinson, past President of SDCGBA was invited to propose the toast to Rykneld Bowling Club for its remarkable achievement of 100 years existence on the same site and wished the Club continued success for the next 100 years.
This was followed by an excellent finger buffet served by members of the catering team. Members were entertained by viewing an amazing CD compiled by Ian Millward showing the voluntary maintenance team taking down, relocating and rebuilding the Bowlers Hut to create enough space for the indoor toilets and access slope a few years ago.
An informal pictorial record was taken by Ian and the 10 past presidents were persuaded to have a formal photo on the Green on a very chilly day!
The Committee look forward to members joining in the four other special events during the season.
Mary Moore Hon. Sec.
Rykneld Bowling Club 100 Years - Event No.2
Celebrating Bowling - Start of the 2018 Season - Sunday 25 March 2018
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.
Rykneld Bowling Club 100 Years - Event No. 3
Party Day All Day - Sunday 10 June 2018
This was perhaps the most ambitious of the five planned events and after all the planning it was wonderful to have the support of so many members and their families totalling 101 before the end of the day.
Once more, the weather co-operated changing from a cloudy start to clear blue sky and sunshine by mid-day, lighting up the Green and the flowerbeds beautifully.
Many members and families arrived in the morning for the opportunity to roll up and the catering team had butties, baps and toasties along with drinks available from the Bar from 12noon.
The triples round robin competition with 51 entrants started at 1.30pm with an interval at 3pm. There was also chance to try a hand at pétanque and participate in the quiz and raffle.
During the interval a group photo shoot was set up of all members present in front of the pavilion for the archives. Having succeeded in this tricky task the 2 oldest playing gents and the 2 oldest playing ladies were invited to cut the specially designed cake to mark the occasion.
After tea & cake the triples match was played to its conclusion and the Triples Cup (donated to Rykneld by Abbey when it closed) was presented by the President to Gordon Lawrence, Peter Cooper and Carol Hamer. Runners up were Roy Wood, Gerry O'Shaughnessy and Ann Lewis. Quiz winners were the Eason Family.
The President also presented to the Club the certificate received from Companies House to mark the 100 years existence at the same location and with the same name. Quite a rarity! This will hang in The Club House.
A 50p ‘Bowl to the Jack’ completed the activity on the Green. It was an amazing sight as so many woods headed for the middle to try to be nearest to the jack. Prizes were awarded to Danny Barr and Junior member Madeleine. After that excitement it was time for a barbecue break and prepare to enjoy the Musical evening, a sing along with Vintage Mark and his electronic organ.
Many people decided to leave before the 7.30pm start but they missed a real treat and wonderful finale to a happy day.
Our grateful thanks are due to all the volunteer helpers, the sponsors and donors of prizes and last but not least all the participants.
Mary Moore Hon. Sec.
Rykneld Bowling Club 100 Years - Event No. 4
Former Members versus Present Members Tournament - Sunday 19 August 2018
Sunday Afternoon saw the arrival of many familiar smiling faces for a nostalgic afternoon, helped by another pleasant sunny day.
Old photos in the Club House and the Honours Boards lining the walls all helped to bring back memories.
It was fitting that two of the founder lady members were able to play as a doubles too - Margaret Hanson and Christine Hayton.
A relaxed 12 ends of Bowls on the Green was most enjoyable to watch and there were plenty of opportunities to mingle and renew old acquaintances, helped by tea halfway through and a delicious light buffet at the end provided by our catering team.
Our thanks and appreciation to Richard and Gordon for planning and organising the event and Cliff for recording photos for the archives, including a group picture.
Thanks to modern technology Malcolm was able to show the pictures immediately on our large screen.
Another successful event for the archives!
PS. The Present Members Team won.
Rykneld Bowling Club 100 Years - Event No. 5
Crown Green versus Flat Green Match - A fitting finale - Sunday 2 September 2018
The Crown Green v Flat Green match proved an interesting light-hearted session as partners (one from each club) first of all had to get to grips with terminology - e.g. our instruction of ‘thumb or finger’ was their ‘backwards and forwards’, then add in the reverse for left hand players and then the freedom to send the jack in any direction!!
Players and visitors were delighted to be refreshed with a tasty buffet as always prepared by our catering team and supported by a grant from the Tom Carey Fund.
In addition to the certificate received from Companies House, on display in the Club House, a very generous member is sponsoring a framed group photo to hang on the wall adjacent to the Bar. News of its arrival later.
Winners - Len Parker and Ian Hamer
Runners Up - Ann Thompson and Reg Baggaley
3rd place - Spas Basic and Bill Fletcher
4th place - Sylvianna Barrell and Cliff Horton