Ron Perkins

Ron was a Life Member of Epsom Bowling Club.  Sadly Ron died on the 15th April 2020.  He celebrated his 100th birthday on 6th July 2019.

It is not known exactly when Ron joined the Club, but records show he was a member in the early 1950's.  Ron will always be remembered by those who knew him as always being immaculately dressed no matter when he turned up at the Club.

It is not sure when Ron qualified for his Surrey County Badge, but he was a Semi Finalist in 1962.  Ron was a very popular member of Epsom Bowling Club & in later life did  pop in sometimes to see us.  Ron spent the last few years of his life in the Priory Court Care Home in Ewell Village.

Ron's Club Record

Championship Singles - won in 1963, Runner Up in 1974

Handicap Singles - won in 1956, Runner Up in 1974

Pairs - winner with Cyril Newman in 1986, Runner Up in 1958

Triples winner in 1986,  Fours winner in 1973

Yonwin Cup

Ron played 10 times in the Yonwin Cup & was a member of the team when Epsom won the Cup in 1986.  Epsom beat Auriol 66 - 50.

Past Times

Ron first played in 1966 & was a Semi Finalist in 1987.

East Surrey League

Ron played in the very first ESL match against Old Coulsdon in 1987.  He made 3 appearances all together.

Thank you Ron for your contribution to Epsom Bowling.  He will be sadly missed by his Family & Friends.  R.I.P.

Ron Perkins

6th July 1919 - 15th April 2020

Club Night

The outdoor season was affected by the Pandemic but Club Night did go ahead from August 14th until 25th September 2020.

There were seven games in all and the average attendance was 18 players. This years top player is Sue Skinner, 2nd place Fred Read & 3rd place Trish Southgate & this was very close on the scoring, The Friday Night Club Cup has been presented to Sue so well done.
I would like to thank all those who attended especially our new members my thanks to Roy Harvey & Frank Thompson for there help and bar service
Our President (Martin) did help on the selection of teams
Many Thank to all
Cyril Newman

Mixed Match

A mixed match took place on Saturday 19th September 2020 against Cheam Fields. This was a 4 rink Mixed Triples.  This was the third match played this season.  Epsom won on 2 rinks, lost on 2 rinks & won overall 70 - 58.

Details:

Rink 1  Richard Senior Phil Sims Les Owen  won 29 - 4

Epsom led 11 - 4 after 9 ends & won all the remaining ends to win by 25 shots.

Rink 2  Sue Skinner Frank Thompson Bob Blaker  won 15 - 14

The scores were level 6 - 6 after 8 ends, still level 12 - 12 after 14 ends & again level 14 - 14 on the 17th end.  Epsom scored 1 shot on the last end for a win in a very close contest.

Rink 3  Stefan Tomm Trish Southgate Keith Roberts  lost 9 - 18

Epsom led 2 - 1 after 3 ends, but lost the next 8 ends to go 2 - 16 down.  They won the last 3 ends & lost by 9 shots.

Rink 4  Brian Collis Sandie Harvey Martin Harbottle  lost 17 - 22

The scores were level 8 - 8 after 8 ends & still level 11 - 11 after 11 ends. Epsom lost ends 14 - 17 finally losing by 5 shots.

Final Score:  Epsom 70  Cheam Fields 58

Summary for the season.

Epsom played 3 matches, won 2 & lost 1.  5 Ladies & 14 men played in these games. Epsom won 5 rinks & lost 7 rinks.

They scored a total of 209 shots for & 109 shots against.

All this information re appearances have been added to the profiles of individuals.  All these matches have also been recorded in the 'Results'- Mixed matches Section.

Many thanks to everyone who made these games possible & to the many supporters who attended.

David Ganney

Epsom Bowling Club would like to thank David for all his work as Secretary.  He joined the Club in 2013 from Auriol B C & was the President of Sutton & District Bowling Association in 2014.  He was appointed Secretary at Epsom Bowling Club in 2016.  He took on the roles of Delegate for the East Surrey League & Sutton & District B A.  David is a qualified coach.

David will be very difficult to replace as he has given the Club countless hours of his own time for the benefit of many, many members.

Sincere thanks to you David from all of us at Epsom Bowling Club.

Mixed Match

A mixed match took place on Wednesday 2nd September 2020 against Sutton. This was a 5 rink Mixed Triples.  This was the second match played this season.  Epsom won on 2 rinks, lost on 3 rinks & won overall 93 - 80.

Details:

Rink 3  Sandy Cooper Frank Thompson Martin Harbottle  lost 14 - 23

Epsom was 6 - 11 down after 10 ends, 11 - 19 behind after 15 ends & lost by 9 shots.

Rink 5  Sue Skinner Keith Roberts Andrew Turnbull  lost 16 - 20

Epsom was 5 - 10 down after 8 ends & further behind 5 - 18 after 12 ends.  However, they picked up 10 shots on the next 4 ends & finally lost by 4 shots.

Rink 7  Trish Southgate Mick Cooper Stefan Lukatschat  won 21 - 12

Epsom was 3 - 10 down after 8 ends, but won the next 8 ends to go ahead 14 - 12.  They scored a count of 7 on the last end to win by 9 shots.

Rink 9  Stefan Tomm Les Owen  John Warren  won 30 - 8

This rink led 15 - 0 after 6 ends & 19 - 5 after 12 ends.  They won by 22 shots.

Rink 11  Howard Ellis Phil Sims Bob Blaker  lost 12 - 17

Epsom led 10 - 4 after 10 ends & 12 - 6 after 13 ends.  However, they lost all the remaining ends to lose by 5 shots.

Final Score:  Epsom 93  Sutton 80

The results of matches played this season will be recorded in the 'Results' section of this Website.

Mixed Match

A mixed match took place on Tuesday 25th August 2020 against Merton Park. However, Merton Park did not bring any Ladies. This was a 3 rink Mixed Triples.  This was the first match played this season.  Epsom won on 1 rink, lost on two rinks & lost the match 38 - 43.

Before the game started a minute silence was held in memory of Bill Lawrence who passed away earlier this year.

Details:

Rink 1  David Rundle  Joy Rundle  Howard Ellis  lost 10 - 17

After 10 ends Epsom was 7 - 11 down & lost by 7 shots.

Rink 3  Sandy Cooper  Brian Collis  Keith Roberts  won 19 - 8

After 8 ends Epsom had a very good lead, 13 - 2 & went on to win by 11 shots.

Rink 5  Sandie Harvey  Richard Senior  Brian Kenyon  lost 9 - 18

Epsom was only 1 shot adrift, 6 - 7 after 11 ends, but were outplayed over the last 7 ends to lose by 9 shots.

Final Score:  Epsom 38  Merton Park 43

Many thanks to Roy Harvey for looking after the Bar all afternoon.

The results of matches played this season will be recorded in the 'Results' section of this Website.

First Club Night returns at Epsom Bowling Club Friday 14th August 2020

Click on photo for larger version

Jubilee Cup

Epsom have entered the Jubilee Cup for many years.  This is a Competition played indoors at King George Field Indoor Bowling Club.  This Competition was originally started to give Outdoor Clubs the opportunity to experience playing indoors.  It was held at the end of the Indoor Season at King George Field.  It was also knock out Competition - 3 rinks per Club, but the format and times have changed in recent years.

It now is played on a League format leading to Semi Finals & Final.

Epsom have won the Jubilee Cup on 2 occasions.

1995 - Number of games played - 5, Number of wins - 5 (Format - 3 Rinks).  Epsom won on 10 rinks & lost on 5 rinks.

Malden & Coombe - won 48 - 45, Andre won 42 - 39, Chessington - won 43 - 30, Ember - won 48 - 46

In the Final Epsom beat Leatherhead 60 - 49 (won 2 rinks, lost 1 rink).

Of the current members Peter Miller, George Sperring, Graham Pilbrow, Les Owen, Roy Ward & Gill Sperring played in matches.

1999 - Nunber of games played 5, Number of wins - 5 (Format 3 Rinks).  Epsom won on 12 rinks & lost on 3 rinks.

Surbiton - won 64 - 38, Supreme - won 53 - 48, Raynes Park Ladies - won 59 - 26, Old Coulsdon - won 57 - 56.

In the Final Epsom beat Merton Park 83 - 43 (winning on all 3 rinks).

Of the current members Peter Miller, George Sperring, Les Owen, Gill Sperring, Eileen Mills & Jim Scott played in matches.

Since records have been kept Les Owen has played in 66 games, Peter Miller in 64 & Jim Scott 58.

Full details can be viewed on this Website by going to 'Results'/'Jubilee Cup'

Did you know?

The Surrey County Badge is something most bowlers aim to achieve in the sport. We have several current members who have qualified for their badge (Men & Ladies), but did you know that the first recorded winners was in 1948.

Men

W T Titherley & J W Morgan won the Men's County Pairs in 1948 & this was followed by G C Barnes, C Russell & W Oldham winning the Men's County Triples in 1950. The next year, 1951, saw Epsom men winning the County Triples again.  This time it was R Law, G C Barnes & W Oldham.

G C Barnes was Men's Captain in 1948 & won the Men's Championship 5 times - 1937, 1938, 1939, 1946 & 1947.

R Law was Men's Captain in 1947 & he won the Men's Championship in 1944.

C Russell won the Men's Championship in 1953.

Ladies

The first recorded Surrey success was in 1961 when Mrs C Morgan, Miss Eileen Ward & Mrs Nellie Mann won the Ladies' County Triples.  Fran Exton won the Ladies' County Singles in 1996 and Freda Starkey & Gill Sperring won the Ladies' County Pairs in 1999.

Miss Eileen Ward was Ladies' Captain in 1980 & she won the Ladies Singles Championship 3 times - 1963, 1972 & 1979.

Mrs Nellie Mann was Ladies' Captain in 1960 - 1962 & won the Ladies' Singles Championship in 1960.

Mrs Gill Sperring was Ladies' Captain 1997, 2006 & 2007 & she won the Ladies' Singles Championship on 5 occasions - 1996, 2001, 2007, 2008 & 2011.

Gill was also selected to represent Hong Kong in the Commonwealth Games in 1990 (Pairs).

Well now you know!!

Some MORE Interesting Facts & Quotes from our History 1994 - 2019

1994 - Introduction of Newsletter, published and printed by Derek Barnes (Derek produced 8 copies displayed in folders at the Club - members could take them home to read)

1999 - Roy Ward elected Surrey County Bowling Association President.  Tony Jackman (Secretary) awarded Leopard Award.

2001 -  Entrance gate painted in Club colours. Improved lighting in car park.

2003 - Some members have been fiddling with the Central Heating System  - This practise must stop!!  Dennis Neville is awarded the Leopard Award.

2006  - Someone plants Palm Tree in the middle of the green - on April 1st!!  Fortunately the damage was easily repaired.

2010 - Money prizes for Club Competitions discontinued.

2011 - An Honours board fell down (no one hurt) & pigeons caused problems in the loft.

2013 - Epsom BC hosted the Sutton & District Bowling Association Finals on 21st September which was very successful.

2017 - The Men's Bowling Committee decided to discontinue the Handicap Fours Competition & replace it with an 'Australian Handicap Pairs' on a trial period.

2019 - Epsom Men win their 100th match in the Chrystie League v Bookham on 17/06/19.  Website reaches 100,000 hits on 20th May 2019 after being launched in May 2005.  Epsom Men lose their first Friendly match since 31/08/16 (38 matches) on 23/05/19.

Some Interesting Facts & Quotes from our History 1912 - 1991

1912 - November the club was in debt and five members, who didn’t like the situation, paid 10/- each to pay it off.

1922 - New Green considered ‘highly regarded’.

1947 - Ladies agree to change to Navy Blazers to match the men.

1950 - First recorded match Men v Women was a Triples match.

1958 - A comment in the records also record - On 3rd September 'Game abandoned - JUPITER PLUVIUS INTERVENED'.

1964 - The club obtained a valuation of their lands for development.  The total site area of 1.43 acres was worth £20.000.

1974 - Running hot water was installed in the club to satisfy the local health inspector, although many members did not think it was necessary. Once installed, it was considered a boon in the kitchen and the men asked if they could have hot water.

1980 - The ladies’ finals days were separate from the men’s and usually took place on the last Thursday in August.

1988 - Neighbours complained of rowdy behaviour, like a football crowd.  Just imagine how they were enjoying themselves!

1989 - A more efficient vacuum cleaner bought!

1991 - A contractor was advised of members dissatisfaction over the fact that the specification for the green was not being strictly adhered to, and this was put to him, in a firm but friendly manner.

More facts later

World Bowls Championships - Men (scroll down for Ladies)

In 1966 the Championships were in held at Kyeemagh, New South Wales, Australia, from 10th –23rd October.

Tom Brown (Woking Park) represented England in the Triples & Fours. In the Triples he played 2 & played in 7 matches, won 5 & lost 2.  The Triple came 5th.

In the Fours he played 2 & played in 7 games, won 4, drew 2 & lost 1.  The Fours came 8th.

The W M Leonard Trophy was won by Australia with England 3rd. (the scoring for the overall team title was four points for the winner of an event, three points for the runner-up, two points for third place and one point for fourth place).

Tom won the Surrey Singles in 1956 & 1958. He was an England International in 1964, 1965 & 1966.

In 1988 the Championships were held in Henderson Auckland Australia from 30th January to 14th February.

Wynne Richards (Mid Surrey) represented England in the Triples & Fours.  He played 2 in both the Triples & Fours. The Triples played 11 games, won 9 & lost 2.  They won the Bronze medal beating Papua New Guinea 19 – 14.  New Zealand won the Gold by beating Scotland 18 – 15.

In the Fours they played 12 games, won 10, Drew 1 & Lost 1.  England beat Wales to win the Bronze Medal.  Ireland beat New Zealand to win the Gold Medal.

England won the W M Leonard Trophy.

Wynne won the Surrey Singles on 5 occasions – 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990 & 2000. Wynne was an England International 1982 – 1975. 

British Isles Championships

1959

Kenneth Coulson (Croydon) won the British Isles Singles which was held at Belfast.

1984

Wynne Richards won the British Isles Singles which was held at Worthing.

1984.

Charlie Souter (Weybridge) played in the fours. England beat Ireland in the Final 121 – 98.  He skipped a rink which won 21 – 11.

Commonwealth Games – Ladies

The Commonwealth Games is an international multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and has taken place every four years since then. (however, there were no games between 1934 & 1946 due to the onset of World War II).  The Commonwealth Games were known as the British Empire Games from 1930 to 1950, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1954 to 1966, and British Commonwealth Games from 1970 to 1974.

In 1930 women only competed in Aquatic Events. In 1934 Women’s Athletics began.  1992 saw the first Women’s Bowls event – only the Triples.

It was not until 2014 that the Singles, Pairs, Triples & Fours took place.  This year also saw Para Sports included.

1986 Mrs Jean Valls (Raynes Park) represented England in the Pairs.  She played 10 games, won 6 & lost 4.  She won the Bronze Medal.  She played skip.  Jean won the Surrey Singles in 1977.  The games took part at Balgreen Bowls Club in Edinburgh, Scotland 24th July and 2nd August. 

World Bowls Championships

1973

These World Championships were held at Victoria Bowls Club in Wellington, New Zealand, from 3rd –18th December.

Mrs P Derrick (Magdalen Park) represented England in the Pairs & won the Silver Medal. She played skip.

She played 7 games, won 6 & lost 1.  She also won the Surrey Singles in 1968, 1972 & 1979.

British Isles Championships

1981    Singles Winner – Mrs P Derrick (Magdalen Park) played in Edinburgh

1984    Singles winner – Mrs J Valls (Raynes Park) played in Leamington Spa

1995    Triples Winners – Winter, P Garden, D Hankin played at Portrush

2017    Fours Winners –  D Hankin, Mrs G Dexter, Mrs N Beales, Mrs P Clark

Epsom, New Zealand

Epsom is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand.  It is located in the centre of the Auckland isthmus between Mount Eden and Greenlane south of Newmarket & 5 kilometres south of Auckland Central Business District.

Named after the town in England noted for its horse racing this Epsom also has a race track AND Bowls Club.

Their Club was founded in 1906 & has a long and proud history in the bowling world and the local community. They not only play bowls, but Petanque.  They have all weather bowling greens. The Club boasts a membership of 150 & is well known for its friendly atmosphere.

The fees for full members is $180 (approximately £94) & Social Membership $70 (approximately £36).

You can check out more about Epsom Bowling Club, New Zealand - just type 'Epsom Bowling Club New Zealand' in Google.

Commonwealth Games (Empire Games)

You may be interested to know that Surrey have had limited successes in the Commonwealth Games – formerly Empire Games. (Details below).

The Commonwealth Games is an international multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and has taken place every four years since then. The Commonwealth Games were known as the British Empire Games from 1930 to 1950, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1954 to 1966, and British Commonwealth Games from 1970 to 1974. Athletes with a disability are also included as full members of their national teams, making the Commonwealth Games as the first fully inclusive international multi-sport event. It is also the world's first multi-sport event which inducts equal number of women’s and men’s medal events and was implemented recently in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

British Empire Games

We have to go back to 1934 to find the first success for Surrey.

Fred Biggin (1869 – 1968) represented England in the Fours (played Skip). He played 9 matches, won 8 & lost 1. He won the Gold Medal. Fred was an England International 1929 – 1934.

He won the Surrey Singles in 1919 & played at Temple Bowling Club.

England also won the Pairs with Scotland winning the Singles. England won 29 Gold Medals, 20 Silver Medals & 24 Bronze Medals.

The British Empire Games took place at Temple Bowling Club, Surrey on 4th – 11th August.

Commonwealth Games

Surrey have had two other bowlers who have played in the Commonwealth Games.

1982    Alan J Windsor from Woking Park

These games were played at Moorooka B C  Brisbane  Australia between 30th September & 9th October.

Alan represented England in the Singles and played 12 games, won 7 & lost 5.  He came 6th.

Willie Wood (Scotland) won the Singles. Scotland also won the Pairs (John Watson & David Gourlay Snr.) & Australia the Fours.

Alan was an England International 1973 – 75, 1977 – 1988.  Alan won the Surrey Singles in 1972 & 1981.

1994    Wynne Richards from Mid Surrey

These games were played at Juan de Fuca B C in Victoria  British Columbia  Canada between 18th August & 28th August.

Wayne represented England & skipped the Fours.  They played 9 games, won 6, drew 1 & lost 2.  They came 3rd in section B, but failed to qualify for the final stages. South Africa won the Gold by beating Australia 21 – 18.

Richard Corsie (Scotland) won the Singles & Tony Allcock the Silver.

Wynne was an England International 1982 – 1975.  Wynne won the Surrey Singles on 5 occasions – 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990 & 2000.

World Bowls & British Isles successes to come

Our Centenary Year 2009

A huge amount of work was undertaken leading up to our Centenary year in 2009.  A Brochure was created, a Centenary metal badge & special Centenary Bowls Stickers obtained.  Our match secretary spent a great deal of time arranging special matches.

The President in 2009 was Tony Jackman, Men’s Captain Les Owen & the Ladies’ Captain Anne Hoffmann.

A Gala Day was organised when 40 members dressed up in Period Costume and many Competitions took place. (all photographs can be viewed in ‘Photos’ on the Website).  A Commemorative album was also kept throughout the season with team photos taken at every special match.  Everyone attending was also asked to sign this album.

Mrs Joan Reynolds donated £1,000 to the Club for a new Competition to be set in memory of former member Geoff Reynolds.  This is now the 100-Up Competition.

Here is a brief summary of the 2009 season:-

Epsom Men played 9 specially arranged matches.  These were against:- Surrey President, Sutton & District Bowling Association, Bowls England, The Zippers Bowling Association, Surrey Patrons, East Surrey League, London & Southern Counties Bowling Association, London Secretaries & Medway Bowling Association.

Epsom Men won 6 of the 9 matches & lost 3.  The best win was against S&DBA 157 – 97.

The Ladies had 2 special matches arranged.  These were against Bowls England & Surrey President.  They lost both.

In the East Surrey League Epsom Men played 15 matches, won 9, lost 5 & drew 1.  The best win was against Dorking 122 – 48. They came 3rd.

In the East Surrey League the Ladies played 8 matches, won 3 & lost 5.  The best win was against Godstone 38 – 30.

The Men also played 5 Friendly matches.  They won 4 & lost 1. The best win was against Reigate Priory 118 – 65.

The Ladies’ played 20 Friendly matches.  They won 12, lost 7 & drew 1.  The best win was against Ewell 79 – 35.

In the Chrystie League Epsom played 10 matches, won 5 & lost 5.  They came 4th.

In Outside Competitions Epsom Men lost in the Semi Final of the ESL Top 10. Ron Snow, Ron Mew & David Sowdon lost in the Area Final of the Surrey Triples.  Graham Pilbrow won the S&DBA Paston Cup for the 6th time.

Maggie O’Sullivan, Eileen Mills & Gill Sperring lost in the Semi Final of the Ladies Surrey Triples.

Full details of all the above information can be viewed on our Website.  If you have difficulty finding any information please ask.

Did you know?

In 1987 the Subs for Men were £42 & the Ladies £ 34

In 1991 there were 110 Men members & 38 Lady members

In 2004 Eileen Mills became the first Lady President of Epsom Bowling Club

In 2005 the Epsom Bowling Club Website was launched

In 2006 the Subs for Men & Ladies was £92

In 2008 there were 65 Men members & 40 Lady members

In 2012 Lyz Warren became the first Lady Secretary of Epsom Bowling Club

All the above are extracted from the 'History' pages on this Website.  The History goes back to 1909 when the Club was founded.

Please find some time to check out our History.

Individual Successes for Men in Surrey Pairs, Triples & Fours since 2000

Individual Successes for Men in Sutton & District Bowling Association Competitions since 2000

Individual Successes for Ladies in Surrey Pairs, Triples & Fours since 2000

Individual Successes for Men & Ladies in Sutton & District Bowling Association Competitions since 2000