Not too much of a full newsletter, more of an update on recent and forthcoming events, due to time constraints.
Summary of Recent Improvements to the Club Environment
- The Pedestrian Ginnel – Resurfaced and lighting installed (Avanti West Coast)
- Flooring and Kitchen Extension – vinyl flooring and new units/worktop installed (Eric Wright)
- LED Floodlights – now in place (Lancaster University Wind Turbine Fund)
In total, the works above cost £9,317.00. However, we received grants to the value of £5,800 from those listed above, meaning that the club contribution was £3,517. Although it would have been wonderful to secure 100% grant funding this isn’t always possible, so obtaining approximately 2/3 of the total costs involved represents a pretty good deal for the Club.
Playing Surface
The green is currently in a superb condition thanks to all the hard work put in by Andrew (Seddon) and John (Sugden). Visiting players and teams have been both complimentary and a little envious of the playing surface as well as the off green facilities at the club.
We are currently entering that time of year when new grass growth is at a maximum, so the green is being mowed at least twice a week at present. Andrew and John need to be able to carry out the mowing at both their convenience and when there are no scheduled matches. Club members need to be mindful that the mowing of the green will always take priority over informal use of the green by members. This is very rarely a problem for the relatively short period of time that the green is being cut.
Work Parties
Occasional work parties need to be organised to carry out minor works around the green surrounds. This mainly involves weeding and general tidying up work. The next one of these is scheduled for Friday 19th June at 1pm (before the social bowling at 2pm).
A bigger project, at a time to be arranged, will involve the laying down of rubberised matting in the gutters around the green. The rubberised matting is from an old MUGA up at Highfield Road (Bowling Green/Parkside). It will need to be cut on site into manageable pieces, transported down to Luneside and then cut into actual strips to go in the gutters. As soon as a date and time has been agreed, information will go on the Facebook and WhatsApp groups with a request for volunteer helpers.
2026 Membership
Existing members should have renewed their membership for 2026 by now. However, if it has slipped your mind or you haven’t quite got round to it, please can you do so at your earliest convenience. The Membership fee has remained at £40. If you wish to pay by bank transfer, please contact the secretary for the club’s banking details.
2026 Bowling Season
The season is now well underway and, indeed, we are getting to the half way stage as far as the various leagues are concerned. All the Luneside teams are performing well and, even if a team is not near the top of their respective division, there have been many strong individual performances.
| League | Team | Division | Current Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster League | Luneside A | 2 | 2nd (of 9 teams) |
| Luneside B | 3 | 5th (of 9 teams) | |
| Luneside C | 4 | 8th (of 10 teams) | |
| Lancaster & District Ladies | Luneside | 1 | 6th (of 8 teams) |
| Morecambe League | Luneside A | 3 | 4th (of 11 teams) |
| Luneside B | 5 | 5th (of 12 teams) | |
| Lancaster & District Veterans | Luneside A | 2 | 1st (of 10 teams) |
| Luneside B | 2 | 3rd (of 10 teams) |
In addition to the strong league positions, Luneside A (Lancaster League) and Luneside A (Veterans League) have reached the semi final and quarter final of their respective cup competitions:
- Lancaster League Challenge Trophy: Luneside A v Warton A at Slyne on Tuesday 23rd June at 7pm
- Lancaster Veterans Challenge Cup: Carnforth B v Luneside Vets A on Thursday 18th June at 2pm
A number of new players have recently started playing for the various teams, performing well and hopefully enjoying the experience. As mentioned in a previous newsletter, we entered two additional teams this season – Luneside B in the Morecambe League and Luneside C in the Lancaster League. This has allowed these new players to experience league bowling for the first time as well as offering existing members more opportunities to bowl at an appropriate level.
Food for Thought – there is occasional confusion as to which team is which, with numerous A and B teams playing over the course of the week. Would they be better having distinct names, or would this be even more confusing?
CHAT & Social Bowling
CHAT and Social bowling currently takes place on Mondays at 10am with Social Bowling on Fridays at 2pm. The Monday morning sessions are relaxed and informal, with members and CHAT affiliates pairing or doubling up to play friendly matches. On Fridays, there is a little more structure, with participants drawn into pairs, singles or threes to play short games during the course of the afternoon. Coaching and advice for beginners is available at both sessions.
Forthcoming Competitions & Social Events – both on and off the Green
Social Scramble
Saturday 20th June - 1pm - £2 (to cover prizes)
The second weekend scramble of the season. Participants will play a number of short games with different partners and against different opponents over the course of the afternoon. Those taking part are asked to bring food to share – light afternoon tea like fayre. Prizes will be awarded to those accumulating the most points over the course of the afternoon.
Drawn Pairs Doubles Competition
Sunday 5th July - 12pm - £2 (to cover prizes)
The first of two more formal club competitions which the club runs each year. The competition is a doubles competition with those taking part being drawn at random into pairs. The competition then follows a world cup type format, with pairs playing in pools to begin with to ensure all pairs play a number of short matches. Successful pairs will then progress to the later knock out stages.
If you wish to take part you must be present at the start time of 12.00 midday when the draw will be taking place. There will be a break at some point in mid-afternoon for light refreshments to be served, which we are once again asking participants to bring along to share.
President’s Day
Saturday 25th July - 12.30pm - £2 (to cover prizes)
This year’s President, Hilary Kennett, invites all members and friends to come down to the club on Saturday 25th July for the annual President’s Day. Proceedings start at 12.30pm with games and bowling challenges, followed by a social scramble starting at 1pm. There will be a break at around 2.30pm for afternoon tea and we are asking that those taking part bring along food to share in the form of a Jacobs Join. There will be a nominal charge of £2 a person to cover prizes and the bar will be open for the purchase of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Tea/coffee and biscuits will also be available.
Games/Quiz Night
Wednesday 29th July - 7pm - £2 (to cover prizes)
A fun filled social evening involving a bit of bingo, a few rounds of dominoes and a beetle drive, along with a quiz/brain teasers. Bring food to share. There will be a nominal charge of £2 a person to cover prizes and the bar will be open for the purchase of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Tea/coffee and biscuits will also be available.
Club Singles Championship
Sunday 2nd August - 11am - £3 (to cover prizes)
Those entering will be competing for the Alan Gardner Trophy. Entry is restricted to current club members. This is the second of the more formal, and the most prestigious, competitions which the club runs each year. However, it once again follows a world cup format, with participants playing in pools to begin with, ensuring all players play a number of shorter games in their respective pool. Winners and runners up from the pools will then go forward to the knock out stage of the competition. Please note the 11am start time and all those intending to play must be present at this time, when players will be drawn into pools.
Although participants are invited to bring food to share, light refreshments will be provided so that players are able to focus on the competition.
Club ‘Picnic’ and Open Day
Sunday 9th August - 1pm - No Charge
This is an Open afternoon and an opportunity for the club to showcase the green and facilities to both the local and wider community. The date has been chosen as it is the week after the Commonwealth Games conclude in Scotland. All the different bowls organisations are hoping to build on the exposure bowls will receive at the games to attract new players to their respective disciplines. This initiative is called BOWLS BIG SUMMER, and we will be listed as a participating club on the various websites, which people will be able to access if they wish to try bowls for the first time.
Existing club members are invited to come along with family and friends and to enjoy some bowling or to simply socialise and have a picnic around the green.
June/July/August Calendar of Events
(Home bowls matches shown in Bold)
Monday 15th June - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
Tuesday 16th June - Luneside B v Cumberland A - 7.00pm
- Bolton Le Sands B v Luneside C - 7.00pm
Wednesday 17th June - Luneside A v Arnside - 7.00pm
- Skerton A v Luneside B - 7.00pm
Thursday 18th June - Carnforth B v Luneside Vets A (Vets Cup quarter final) - 2.00pm
- Lansil C v Luneside A - 7.00pm
Friday 19th June - Tidying up work party - 1.00pm
- Social Bowling - 2.00pm
Saturday 20th June - Luneside Social Scramble - 1.00pm
Monday 22nd June - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
Tuesday 23rd June - Luneside A v Warton A at Slyne (Cup Match) - 7.00pm
Wednesday 24th June - Luneside Ladies v Bare B - 1.30pm
Thursday 25th June - Luneside Vets B v Lansil - 2.00pm
- Bare A v Luneside Vets A - 2.00pm
Friday 26th June - Social Bowling - 2.00pm
Monday 29th June - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
- Holme C v Luneside B - 7.00pm
Tuesday 30th June - Carnforth B v Luneside B - 7.00pm
- Bare B v Luneside C - 7.00pm
Wednesday 1st July - Bowling Green v Luneside Ladies - 1.30pm
Thursday 2nd July - Ingleborough v Luneside Vets B - 2.00pm
- Luneside Vets A v Skerton - 2.00pm
Friday 3rd July - Social Bowling - 2.00pm
Sunday 5th July - Drawn Pairs Doubles Competition - 12.00pm
Monday 6th July - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
Tuesday 7th July - Bowling Green B v Luneside A - 7.00pm
- Luneside B v Bailrigg B - 7.00pm
Wednesday 8th July - Bolton Le Sands v Luneside A - 7.00pm
- Luneside B v Carnforth - 7.00pm
Thursday 9th July - Luneside Vets B v Luneside Vets A - 2.00pm
- Luneside C v Palatine - 7.00pm
Friday 10th July - Private Group Bowling - 10.00am
- Social Bowling - 2.00pm
Monday 13th July - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
- Cumberland v Luneside B - 7.00pm
Tuesday 14th July - Luneside A v Lansil A - 7.00pm
- Overton v Luneside B - 7.00pm
- Lansil B v Luneside C - 7.00pm
Wednesday 15th July - Luneside Ladies v Hornby - 1.30pm
- Luneside A v Cumberland A - 7.00pm
Thursday 16th July - Vets Cup Semi Finals - 2.00pm
- Private Group Bowling - 6.00pm
Friday 17th July - Social Bowling - 2.00pm
Monday 20th July - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
Tuesday 21st July - Lune Road v Luneside A - 7.00pm
- Luneside B v Warton B - 7.00pm
Wednesday 22nd July - Carnforth B v Luneside Ladies - 1.30pm
- Hornby B v Luneside A - 7.00pm
- Luneside B v Holme B - 7.00pm
Thursday 23rd July - Bare B v Luneside Vets B - 2.00pm
- Luneside Vets A v Slyne - 2.00pm
- Luneside C v Lune Road C - 7.00pm
Friday 24th July - Social Bowling - 2.00pm
Saturday 25th July - President’s Day Social Scramble - 1.00pm
Monday 27th July - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
Tuesday 28th July - Luneside A v Bare C - 7.00pm
- Slyne v Luneside B - 7.00pm
Wednesday 29th July - Luneside Ladies v Bolton Le Sands - 1.30pm
- Multi Games/Quiz Night - 7.00pm
Thursday 30th July - Vets League Cup Final - 2.00pm
- Luneside C v Overton B - 7.00pm
Sunday 2nd August - Luneside Singles Championship - 11.00am
Monday 3rd August - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
- Bolton Le Sands D v Luneside B - 7.00pm
Tuesday 4th August - Burrowbeck v Luneside A - 7.00pm
- Luneside B v Bailrigg A - 7.00pm
Wednesday 5th August - Luneside A v Lune Road - 7.00pm
Thursday 6th August - Luneside Vets B v Skerton - 2.00pm
- Bowling Green v Luneside Vets A - 2.00pm
- Lune Road D v Luneside C - 7.00pm
Friday 7th August - Social Bowling - 2.00pm
Sunday 9th August - Open Day & Family Scramble - 12.00pm
Monday 10th August - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
- Luneside Management Meeting - 7.00pm
Tuesday 11th August - Luneside A v Bowling Green C - 7.00pm
Wednesday 12th August - Luneside Ladies v Skerton - 1.30pm
- Slyne v Luneside A - 7.00pm
- Luneside B v Lansil B - 7.00pm
Thursday 13th August - Cumberland v Luneside Vets B - 2.00pm
- Luneside Vets A v Lansil - 2.00pm
- Luneside C v Skerton A - 7.00pm
Saturday 15th August - MBL Presidents Day – Burton in Kendal - All day
Monday 17th August - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
Tuesday 18th August - Bare D v Luneside A - 7.00pm
- Luneside B v Skerton - 7.00pm
Wednesday 19th August - Carnforth A v Luneside Ladies - 1.30pm
- Morecambe Community v Luneside B - 6.30pm
Thursday 20th August - Luneside Vets B v Slyne - 2.00pm
- Ingleborough v Luneside Vets A - 2.00pm
- Overton C v Luneside C - 6.30pm
Friday 21st August - Social Bowling - 2.00pm
Monday 24th August - CHAT & Social Bowling - 10.00am
- Bolton Le Sands C v Luneside B - 7.00pm
Tuesday 25th August - Luneside A v Lansil C - 7.00pm
- Cumberland B v Luneside B - 7.00pm
Wednesday 26th August - Luneside A v Quernmore B - 7.00pm
Thursday 27th August - Luneside Vets B v Bowling Green - 2.00pm
- Bare B v Luneside Vets A - 2.00pm
- Luneside C v Bolton Le Sands B - 7.00pm
Friday 28th August - Social Bowling - 2.00pm