Barnard Castle Bowls Club
IN keeping with the miserable “spring” the dale has been enduring, umbrellas were the order of the day at this year’s official opening of the bowling green in the grounds of The Bowes Museum.
Club officials had only been able to take a cut off the green a couple of days prior to the opening, but heavy rain put paid to any opening day play.
This year, the ceremonial first bowl was sent down by Matthew Croom, of Barnard Castle charity The Clique, and his daughter Lily.
Mr Croom told club members about the charity’s background and how it had raised and distributed more than £170,000 since its launch in the mid-1970s, including £10,000, which was handed out to groups last year.
Like summer sportsmen and women across the dale, the bowls club will be hoping for an upturn in conditions as the season proper gets under way.
The club has both ladies and gents sections with teams from both competing in the Darlington and District Leagues.
Mixed club competitions are held every weekend and informal play is available seven days a week.
There’s also the fun Monday Evening League and the newly formed Bowls Ladder to encourage competitive practice for all levels.
