Nine people from Wadebridge made the trip out to Trethorne Leisure Park, near Launceston, for the Group 2 Annual Luncheon and Presentation of Trophies on Saturday, 25th October.
All had a purpose for being there. John Gibbs, as Group 2 Secretary, and his daughter Elizabeth were on top table. The other seven – Richard, Elaine, Kevin J, Peter K, Kevin S, George and Amy – were there to collect trophies. George, as it happened, had been there since 10.30, helping arrange the Men’s trophies and certificates in order for presentation. (He’s getting in early on his anticipated new role as competition secretary.) That of course meant Amy had to be there from 10.30 as well
The rest of us turned up around 12, with ample time to find where we were sitting, buy raffle tickets and make a raid on the bar. Kevin S was particularly taken by the Guinness Zero machine on the bar, which made an intriguing but unnecessarily complicated task out of upending a can into a glass. His recommendation that the club get one was met frostily by Kevin J.
After the bowlers’ grace, and the top table going up to the carvery, it became apparent that our position nearest the carvery counter counted for nothing, as the table furthest away was called up first. Less than nothing, in fact, as we were tormented by the sight of loaded (and in some cases overloaded) plates going past us for about an hour till it was our turn. The staff had by then cleared plates from top table and were working round the others. At least the wait gave us ample opportunity for erudite conversation and refilling of glasses at the bar.
The meal itself was pretty good – a choice of beef, turkey or pork, in any combination – and lots of roast potatoes and veg. Our fears of it all disappearing before we got there were groundless. While we ate, the pudding trolley went round. Fears of food running out here were less groundless, as Kevin J managed to secure the final portion of apple and blackberry crumble (with the invaluable assistance of Elaine). They did bring out a dish of plain apple crumble instead, which was fine.
Then on to the toasts and speeches, by Bowls Cornwall President and Kensey Vale member Peter Prynne, and Group 2 Chairman and Bude member Brian Wonnacott, which covered, with admirable brevity, the achievements of Group 2 clubs and players. We were glad to hear the recognition of Dontai Joseph’s U-17 achievement at Leamington, but Wadebridge being Bowls England Club of the Year somehow slipped their minds, it seems, perhaps due to a focus on bowls achievements on the green. Who knows?
MC Jennie Dyer then moved us on to the trophy presentations, starting with the Ladies. Jennie said at the outset that only people present would have their names read out. Winners and Runners-up not present would be omitted. So when the Ladies Top Team runner-up was announced as Wadebridge, but the trophy was collected by clearly-not-a-lady George (Elaine and Amy being social members who declined the honour), there was some muttering that the name shouldn’t have been read out.
Next year, it would be good to have some Ladies present to collect the no doubt dozens of trophies they are going to win. In fact, those present thought it would be good to have more Bridgers there anyway. (Saltash had about 30 people, for example.) When the list goes up next year, there will be more fuss made about it.
You can click here for the programme, including all the winners and runners-up.
Wadebridge recipients’ photographs below.
Photos Kevin Smith and Elaine Jones
