The winter months have passed quickly and the new bowling season is almost upon us. It is worth mentioning that club members have remained active over the winter period with the club being represented in several winter league teams playing on the greens at Halifax, Hove Edge and Saltaire. Club members also played in the short mat indoor league at Victoria Hall in Keighley. Winter teams comprise of just four persons playing against teams from a wide geographic area across Yorkshire. The winter season normally finishes during March prior to the start of the summer season.
The best performance of the winter was by the team entered in the Halifax Bowling Club Winter League. Playing against strong opposition they finished as runners up in division one. The teams in the other leagues did quite well, holding their own in their respective leagues and finishing in mid table positions.
This year the club will be promoting a “Mystery Walking Tour” around Oxenhope to raise funds for the purpose of maintaining the bowling green. This is a short walk around the village commencing at the railway station, solving twenty or so interesting and challenging clues along the way. It is suitable for all age groups and fun for all the family. Reasonably priced at just £3 it represents good value for three hours or more of entertainment and should be available in April. Anyone requiring an early copy please advise the contacts listed in the last paragraph or order by email.
You might ask why the club needs to raise funds. In view of cuts in funding by the Council the club is now responsible for the maintenance costs of the bowling green. Volunteers now undertake the three times weekly cutting of the green. The Council continue to have a limited involvement with other types of maintenance but, under present council policy, this will be withdrawn in 2020. Thereafter club members will be responsible for all aspects of maintenance. Members do of course contribute significantly to costs, but this explains why raising extra funds to contribute to the withdrawal of Council services is important.
Looking ahead to the new summer season starting in April the club will continue as a member of several leagues – Worth Valley, Airedale & Wharfedale, Hebden Royd, Halifax and Skipton. Ten teams have been entered in these leagues with fixtures on afternoons or evenings most days. There will be plenty of bowling in Oxenhope Park this spring and summer. Members of the public are very welcome to look in on games anytime. Refreshments are available in the pavilion on all match daysIt is very pleasing to see that there has been quite a lot of interest from new players recently. As mentioned in the Christmas edition of Oxenhope Outreach a new team will play in the Airedale & Wharfedale Doubles League on Tuesday evenings in the new season, which is particularly suited to new players. In addition a team of relatively new players will participate in the Hebden Royd Friday evening league. These entry level teams give new players every chance to progress to higher levels if they wish to do so. For anyone wanting to start playing bowls now is the best time to get involved at the start of the season.
There will be an open morning on Monday mornings commencing in April at the bowling green in Oxenhope Park. Anyone wishing to call in is welcome, either to have a coffee and a general look around or maybe to have a try at bowls. The club operates a Safeguarding policy approved by the British Crown Green Bowling Association.
Anyone interested in playing bowls or needing further information please get in touch via the contact link.
The club web site can be found at www.oxenhopebowlingclub.co.uk.