Bowls clubs 'digs' up some history

Removal of the steel ditches that were installed by the late Jim Lawford has been completed on the C green, with concrete ditches to be installed in the coming weeks.

Club president Graham Willis said the renovations were timely as contractors had discovered a major problem with the steel ditches.

“They found that the ditches would have lasted only a couple more years. The corners of the concrete ditches have been installed and when the rain stops the other ditches will be dropped into place,’’ he said.

Greenskeeper Darren Walles is continuing to prepare the A and C green, which will both have a “brand new’’ appearance before the start of the pennant competition.

“C green will have the same works that occurred on the A green, apart from the fact that the A green already had concrete ditches.

“Everything should be finished by a October 1, but the B green will be closed until April,” Mr Willis said.

He said the green, which was severely affected by the 2011 floods, was often used for competition

“The most we use is 11 rinks,” he said.

The bottom half of true green really subsided.

Darren Walles’ father Les was the greens keeper at the club for two decades before handing the reins to Darren.

“He hasn’t really finished up. I enlist his support all the time,” Darren said.

The club held its two bowls triples events at the weekend, when 22 teams entered, including six from the Rochester club.

Tom Cottam from Cottam’ Butchers was sponsor of the event.

Eighty bowlers will be involved in a practice match against the White Hills club, with six teams from the clubs preparing for the season.

Mr Willis said Rochester had lost some of its division one bowlers and put the call out for bowlers from other clubs who are interested in competing at pennant level.

“They should contact our club, because there will be an opportunity here for some bowlers who may be missing out elsewhere,” he said.