Disability Bowls England Annual Trip to ‘Potters’
28th November – 2nd December 2016.
This year a group of 41 bowlers, friends and family travelled from all areas of the country to Potters Leisure Resort, for the ‘Bowls International’ sponsored ‘Festive Week’. This would be at least our 12th year for this Potters Festive week.
DBE fielded 6 teams in the bowls competition which comprised of 60 teams of rinks of 4.
1 – Les Smith, Ray Smith (Les’s Dad) Danny Lockhart and Irene Cheer
2 – John Fowler Snr, John Carney, Joe Graham and Ken Derbyshire
3 – Tony Reeve, Nancy Ahmed, Jean kirk and Ray Kirk
4 – Ray Smith, John Fowler Jnr, John Scott and Margaret Smith
5 – Alastair Domville, Claire Domville, Rob Domville and (Mum) Sally Domville (a true family affair)
6 – Bob Love, Gary Swift, Emma Love and Alex Griffin
It was great to see those who weren’t bowling supporting the teams when they played.
Three of the teams won 3 out of their 4 round robin games but sadly failed to go through to the last 16. Bob Loves rink made it right through to the semi-final all with very high scoring wins, only to ‘lose it’ in the semi to the eventual winners, a young team from Erewash IBC.
Personally, I think they had too much eat at the evening meal immediately before the match but I must admit, it is very hard to resist when the food there is so good! That evening meal was the Christmas dinner with all of the trimmings. Too much Xmas Pud!!
On the Wednesday evening there is always a celebrity match with the resident international bowlers skipping the two opposing rinks. At Potters this time the internationals are Greg Harlow and Andy Thomson. The group leaders are invited to play in this match but I prefer to ask one of our disabled bowlers. A) since they are better than me and B) also, it’s good to spread the experience around. This year John Fowler Jnr played on Andy Thomson’s rink. This game is always played in ‘great spirit’ and good fun with Andy and Greg providing many of the laughs.
All in all, everyone had a ‘Crackling’ Good Time and are already looking forward to Potters next year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all
Margaret Smith DBE Sec.
I would like to say that I had the pleasure of bowling against one of your teams at potters in our first game, Les Smith was the skip a very good bowler and a very nice man.
I was bowling for the Carlton Club from Leicester, which is the indoor club I play for, I also bowl outdoor for Narborough Bowls and Social Club, I am the men’s Captain at Narborough and I would like to invite you to bring a team to play us at Narborough.
Regards
Alan Kent