Ray Keen League Play-Offs 2024 - Sunday 8th September 2024
The Play-Offs were staged at Woburn Sands and after arriving around 10am in the middle of a thunder storm, the Evans Above team, consisting of Rob Webb, Derek Golden, Tony Scott and Alan Quinnell, were drawn against Newportonions in the semi-final.
Fortunately the weather improved during the remainder of the morning and we started our match half an hour late at 12.30pm. The skies had cleared and we were able to play in perfect, bright, sunny conditions.
Evans Above got off to a flyer and after 12 ends, the 2 skips agreed to end the match early, with the score at 19-3 to Evans Above.
The other semi-final was a much closer encounter, with Gerrards Cross Erasers eventually beating Chandos Park Bouncers.
The Final started at 3.15pm and Evans Above could not match the accuracy and consistency of the Erasers, with the match finishing 23-9 to a deserved Erasers team after 16 ends.
Thanks go to Linda, Amanda J, Doreen and Graham for making the journey to support us on the day.
Overall it was a very successful season for Evans Above, winning the Central League Division 1 and finishing as runners-up in a Countywide competition with a total of 130 teams.
Maybe next year we can go one better.
The Evans Above Team with the Runners-Up Trophy
The Dennyside Charity Match
The Dennyside Charity Match
The Dennyside Bowling Association brought a team of experienced bowlers to Long Crendon on Monday 14th August to help raise money for Horsewyse, who are based in Long Crendon.
The Dennyside Bowling Association for men's outdoor bowls was founded in 1936 by Leonard Denny of the Cambridge Park Bowling Club and a prominent member of Middlesex Bowling Association.
Although many things have changed since the early days the general aims remain the same, with the main objective being to help bowling clubs raise monies for local charities and worthy causes. The hosting clubs that invite the Dennyside for a match nominate their chosen charity where we know the money will be well spent.
Our chosen charity, Horsewyse, is an equine riding and learning centre with a difference, they are a not-for-profit community interest company established in 2009 and are located at Westfield Farm in Long Crendon. Their facilities include a beautiful new outdoor school, suitable for all disciplines, horse walker, stables and 35 acres of grass paddocks. They have a 5 * riding school licence from Buckinghamshire County Council.
They provide sessions with a focus in the provision of equine facilitated learning activities for children, young people and adults with learning, behavioural and physical difficulties.
The day itself started with a fantastic buffet lunch, then a 6 Rink bowls match, followed by a 2-course meal of meat pies and vegetables, with various desserts to finish. Speeches were made by Adrian Smith, Long Crendon President, Dee Wise from Horsewyse and presentations were made by Dennyside President Mark Cohen.
The day was hugely successful, with raffles, entry fees and other donations raising over £3500 for Horsewyse. A cheque was presented to an emotional Dee Wise.
As always there is a huge amount of preparation and organisation to hold an event of this nature, with many contributors too numerous to mention but very special thanks go to Pauline Cherry, Jo Hill, Amanda Johson, Doreen Penn, Jean Webb and Linda Baker for the excellent food, teas, coffees, cakes etc.
Also special thanks go to Brian Richardson, former Dennyside President, for arranging the visit.
Another wonderful day in Long Crendon’s long history!
Bowls England Celebration Match
Bowls England Celebration Match – Thursday 18th August 2022
In ideal weather conditions for bowling, Long Crendon welcomed a Bowls England Team to play a Celebration Match to mark the Centenary of the Bowls Club, albeit 1 year late, due to Covid.
Included in the Bowls England Team, we were honoured to welcome Terri Keen (President); Deepak Tanna (Senior Vice President) Dave King-Taylor (Junior Vice President); Paul Robson (Immediate Past President) and Marcia Dunstone (Past President).
The Bowls England team was made up by players from 11 different counties, so they came from far and wide, with the day being enjoyed by all who took part.
The day started with a team photo, followed by a Spider and then the match, which was won by Bowls England 103 shots to 65.
After the match we had a traditional Bowls tea salad, followed by Gateaux for dessert, prepared and served by Pauline, Jo and Amanda.
Captain Alan Quinnell for LCBC and BE President Terri Keen made speeches after the meal, with Terri presenting the Club with a Bowls England pennant and gifts for the highest winning Rinks and to the kitchen team for all their hard work.
As always, it is a great team effort to put on an event like this and it was very much appreciated by the Bowls England Team in attendance, with many great comments about the day and our wonderful Clubhouse facility.
Another fantastic day in the long history of Long Crendon Bowls Club.
Clubhouse Official Opening
Our newly refurbished Clubhouse was officially opened by Carol Evans and family on Saturday 2nd October 2021.
Despite poor weather, many members and family turned up to celebrate a special day in Long Crendon's 100 year history.
After an introductory speech by Club Chairman Tony Durkin, Carol unveiled a plaque in memory of her late husband Mike, who sadly passed away in October 2020.
Carol unveiling the Plaque Carol and Family
Mike's vision and dream were instrumental in getting the project off the ground, meticulously planning the new layout to ensure we had a much needed larger kitchen and enough space in the main room to play short mat bowls. This he achieved.
Funding for the project was arranged by Frank Ashurst, with Mike and Carol very kindly donating the cost of the kitchen.
A wonderful buffet was provided during the afternoon by Jo Hill, Amanda Johnson and Pauline Cherry, the bar was open and a short game was organised by John Elmy to 'christen' the new mat.
A great day was had by all who attended to mark a fantastic occasion for Long Crendon Bowls Club.
The New Clubhouse Tizzy, Val and Kirsten 'having a go' Not a bad head for starters
100th Anniversary Celebration Match
100th Anniversary Celebration Match v The Friends of English Bowling
Saturday 17th July 2021
On a very hot sunny day, Long Crendon Bowls Club welcomed The Friends of English Bowling to help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Bowls Club.
The Friends team came from far and wide, spread over 9 counties, with the day being enjoyed by all who attended.
The day started with a team photo and 'Spider', followed by the match itself, which was played in a competitve but very friendly spirit, with Long Crendon winning overall by 109-82 shots, thanks mainly to a score of 26-3 on one rink.
We enjoyed a lovely meal after the game, provided by Jo, Amanda and Pauline, followed by ice creams for dessert, which were perfect for the day and greatly appreciated by everyone.
Long Crendon were also presented with a plaque by The Friends Captain Cyndy Lee after the meal, to mark the day.
Appreciation goes to all of those who helped prepare the Green, the surrounds and those that helped out on the day to show Long Crendon Bowls Club at its best.
We also received numerous compliments on our newly refurbished Clubhouse from the Friends team, which was great to hear following the hard work and dedication of a small group of loyal members to bring it all together.
The Team Photo
Investigating the Spider result
The Captains of the Day - Cyndy and Alan
Presentation of the Plaque
The Highest Winning Rink - Sandy, Kevin and Mick
The Catering Team - Jo, Amanda and Pauline
The pre-match bar men - Tony and Derek
