Welcome back the Snowbirds and trust you all had a great time wherever you were. The Sunseekers had a satisfying summer season with the normal summer competitions taking place. The Eleanor McCraw winners were Alan Terry and Terry Rodgers. The Winners of Reliant Trophy were John Mannall, Colin Rowling and Alan Terry Many thanks go to John &Sue Mannall with Jim Pike for ensuring the smooth running and success of the summer competitions.
As most of you are aware, the sad news is that our problem green is still a problem. There were lots of games played on it at the latter end the summer to allow Les and Jim to refurbish our main green. It was completed and I am sure you will all agree it is currently good to play on.
All this hard work on the greens during the past years by Terry Rodgers, Joe Pemberton, Les Pratchett and Jim Pike, will be remembered, for allowing all members to play this glorious game of bowls and keep the Almeria Bowls Club intact.
Remembered, because Anthony recently announced the exciting news that we would be going to an eight rink carpet, probably commencing before the end of the year. This is tremendous news, as when everything is finished and we get organised into this new era, we will be the Bowling Centre of Spain. I am sure all members would like to thank Shirley and Anthony for making this huge investment and for theirs and our sakes we will make it a success it deserves.
The season started in September with two friendlies. The first with a Personal Touch Group, Jean Graver and our regular visitors Birstall Bowling Club. We had a very successful and enjoyable social time.
On the 5th of October the Wednesday League commenced and at the time of writing the Rovers are in third place closely followed by the Gunners with the Ramblers in ninth place.
Our first club competition the Non Winners Cup was won by John Mannall beating Liz Quintrel. Both players gave an impressive performance
Well done in the Turre Open Rinks Competition when John Fitzgerald, Graham and Catherine Patrick and Jim Anderson were victors against a mixed team of our own Tony and Mary Mullen together with ex Almeria member, Bryan Franklin, now playing for Indalo B.C.and his wife Jane. This exciting match went to the wire, with John’s team taking the championship in the extra end. Third in the competition were another Almeria Team, Jim Pike, Les Pratchett, John Compton, and Ann Tuplin. A great day for Almeria Bowling Club.
This month heralded the 20th Anniversary of Los Gallardos Camping. Anthony and Shirley have worked tremendously hard over the years to make this very successful starting with a few camping sites and developing it into possible one of the best complexes in Spain
To celebrate this occasion Anthony and Shirley sponsored an Anniversary Triples when sixty players took part from Cabrera, La Mata and us of course.
The weather was lovely and sunny with no real wind which allowed all players to play at their best.
The final of group 1 and 2 was won by Paul Fitzhugh, Eddie Donley and Siobhan Herrity beating the very successful triple of John Fitzgerald, Graham and Catherine Patrick. Prize money was presented by Shirley and Anthony thanked us all for our part in the success of Los Gallardos Camping.
The week progressed with two day of partying when the Jackson family did the campers proud by providing a day with John Lodge with music and games and free tapas, finishing off with a fabulous Dusty Springfield tribute and free buffet on Friday evening.
Our Welcome Together Trophy was won this year by the Snowbirds. It was a lovely afternoon finishing off with most of us having Fish and Chips/ Curry, washing it down with a few drinks.
After lots of discussion the AGM was decided to take place on the 1st December straight after the Roll Up. The Officers list for committee will be posted soon. In order that we are able to include as many members as possible the Christmas Dinner and Dance together with the return of the Prize Presentation will take place on the 8th December.
I have tried to cover briefly the events through the month but please don’t forget most of the above will be found in more detail on our website www.bowlingalmeria.com.
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
