Tour 2025

Tour 2025 report from our foreign correspondent, Elaine Beckton

It was with some trepidation that the Williams coach, full of enthusiastic bowlers, set off for Cwmbran in the mid-September rain.  When we arrived at the Parkway Hotel it was still raining and the forecast for our four days stay wasn’t looking promising.

The hotel was set in seven acres of immaculate grounds and exceeded all expectations.

Our first day took us to Hay on Wye where, after a morning of town exploration (interesting castle and wonderful bookshops), we set off for the bowling green.  This visit was important to us as Mylor Bridge was included in their bowling tour a few years back and it was great to have the chance to play on their home turf. The sun shone, we enjoyed an afternoon of play with a friendly but competitive edge and we won.  The match, as always, was rounded off with tea and biscuits followed by good conversation over a glass of beer or wine.  Socialising is a large part of the tour and meeting new people as interesting as playing on different greens.

Day two saw us at Croesyceiliog, just outside Cwmbran.  A very competitive match (we lost) and, again, the weather stayed fine for us. One of my opposing team members came to the rescue when halfway through the match the sole peeled off my bowling shoe!  He kindly found a spare pair, somewhat large but they saw me through the remainder of the tour.

The final day was spent in Ross on Wye.  Another delightful morning wandering around the stunning town followed by an afternoon at their splendid bowling club.  Though cold, the rain held off until our last two ends when the heavens opened.  How welcoming the clubhouse and its members were to finish the day with refreshment and a good chat. Such was the camaraderie that though we lost overall, the captains decided it was a draw as three of our rinks won and three lost.  A memorable afternoon with hopes that the Ross players will arrange a return visit to Mylor Bridge.

Though the object of the tour was bowling, we were lucky to have Andy Lobb in our midst.  He thoughtfully entertained us on two evenings with a quiz and musical bingo. The latter was certainly boisterous and great fun.

It is always sad to see an end to our travels but equally good to be back home in Mylor Bridge.  We are now looking forward to next year when we will head for Worcester and its surrounding clubs.