Dear friends
It is a great honour and privilege to be elected as Suffolk County Women’s Bowls Association President.
I am fully aware of the responsibilities of the position and I will do everything to promote and enhance the sportsmanship and friendship for which Suffolk federation and its members are known for
I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can throughout my year as President and I wish you all good health and bowling and good luck.
Kind regards
Donna Mills
SCWBA President 2025
SCWBA 4 Bowl Singles Champion, Amy Finch
SCWBA Senior Singles Champion, Jan Truin
SCWBA 2 Bowl Pairs Champions, Sandi Steed and Pauline Wright
SCWBA 2 Wood Triples Champions, Sandi Steed, Pauline Wright and Amy Finch
SCBA Mixed Pairs Champions, Jane Skillings and Kevin Rolfe
By Sally Smith 22/03/25 0 comments
SCWBA President, Donna Mills, with President Elect Lesley Dyer, Junior President Daphne Fane, and Sue Rochard introduce the Semi-finals session alongside SCBA President Andrew Burch and President Elect David Cattermole.
The combined SCBA and SCWBA indoor semis and finals were played at Ipswich and District Indoor Bowlimg Club, with all semi-finals completed on Saturday and the majority of finals played on Sunday. Unavailable players delayed the final of the Mixed Triples, which was played later. Once again, Sue Rochard and Kim Dyer worked together to ensure smooth organisation. The raffle raised 254 pounds, divided equally between the two organisations. Full results can be seen on the competitions page of this website.
Click here for a photo gallery from the finals on Sunday 2nd March.
Saturday saw some very good bowling from all the competitors hoping to reach the finals on Sunday. The ladies’ pairs competition got off to a quick start for T Johnson and J Frohawk getting ahead of S Smith and G Saunders by 10 shots to 1, however as very often can be the case it was a game of two halves whereby Sally and Gill started to gain shots and the battle began. The result being T Johnson and J Frohawk winning by a small margin of just 3 shots taking them into the final on Sunday. The second semi-final between A Finch and L Dyer and P Wright and S Steed was also very thrilling. This game was a battle throughout with a very exciting finale at 21 ends it was an 18 all draw so who was going to see it through. The cliff hanger was that P Wright and S Steed managed to draw in their last bowl to win 19 -18, sending them through to the final on Sunday. When it came to the final of the ladies’ pairs P Wright and S Steed were on fire confirming their place at the National Finals in April.
In the 4 bowl singles match P Black made headway after trailing 12 shots to 2 against T Johnson gaining more of the second half of the game, but T Johnson forged ahead and confirmed her place in the final. There she was up against A Finch who went on to win her place at the National Finals in April. J Truin made it through in the semi-final of the senior singles after a valiant effort by S Rochard to creep up from 10-1 down, with Jan eventually winning 21-14. Jan then had to face P Wright in the final in which she did not hold back and was successful in winning 22-14.
The triples final was between P Wright, A Finch, S Steed and G Lamprey, M Thorpe, S Rochard. It was an early game on Sunday morning and after a very frosty morning it was a little cool in the bowls club. Gill, Margaret and Sue got off to a slow start trailing 11 shots to 1 on 6 ends. A change round was needed and for a short while made a difference to the results achieved, however Pauline, Amy and Sandi were in charge and went on to win and secure their place at Lincoln.
The remaining final, the Mixed Triples, was played on 18th March. After an even start to the match (3 all at 4 ends), A Turner, C Turner and R Kerry started to pull away from S Steed, K Rolfe and M Rumball, aided by an unfortunate conversion by Martin from one up to two shots down in the sixth end. As play progressed Rob Kerry steered his triple towards a win, ably supported by Adam and Chelsea, with the final score 23-10 in their favour.
Our Suffolk Ladies Indoor Champions played extremely well and they are all wished the very best of luck in the finals at Lincoln.
SCBA Mixed Triples Champions, Chelsea Turner, Adam Turner and Rob Kerry
Donna in action.
By Sally Smith 21/02/25 0 comments
The County Squad from 2024 and their supporters gathered at Bramford Golf Club for a fork buffet, followed by games and a very well supported raffle. After an excellent lunch the Bramford staff had us throwing balls and bean bags into buckets to gain points and later assembling a range of objects they provided into our interpretations of famous paintings. The “paintings†representing the Scream, Sunflowers and a Lowry Townscape tied for first place. The event concluded with muffins made by Lesley and the raffle draw, which raised over £200.
The three `paintings` judged the best. Can you identify them?
By WebsiteCoordinator 19/02/25 0 comments
The program for the 2025 Indoor Semi-Finals may be seen Here.
By WebsiteCoordinator 25/10/24 0 comments
It hardly seemed possible that a year had passed since the last SCWBA luncheon, but we found ourselves again at Bramford Golf Centre celebrating another enjoyable year of bowls. SCWBA President, Pauline Black, was delighted to welcome EWBF President, Irene Ballam accompanied by husband Bill, and SCBA President, Gary Pleasance to share our luncheon. Also with Pauline on the top table were her husband Geoff Pratt and SCWBA President Elect, Donna Mills.
After enjoying the meal together, we heard first from Gary Pleasance who toasted the SCWBA, congratulating the ladies on achieving two wins at the Skegness Finals. The Silver Jubilee Vase Team’s excellent win for the second year running was followed by Donna Mills’ win in the Champion of Champions competition after playing really well all week. Our outgoing President, Pauline Black began by expressing delight that the EWBF President, Mrs Irene Ballam and her husband were with us. She built on Gary Pleasance’s reminiscences of Skegness with her own memories of the week, on and off the green. However, perhaps Pauline’s most pleasing experiences of the year centred on less experienced bowlers; following the Under 25s progress and enjoying a lovely day with the four ladies who took part in the Novice Competition.
Pauline concluded by thanking all the players who represented the County, both indoors and outdoors. The National Silver Jubilee Vase trophy was here for all to admire, but we must not forget the Donald Steward and the Harry Carver teams. Special moments for Pauline were Amy Finch’s memorable Indoor Ladies Singles final against Ann Lenny and Margaret Thorpe’s close match in the Senior Singles. She also highlighted Gillian Lamprey’s 2 bowl singles semi-final at Skegness, lost by only one shot and Donna Mill’s fine win in the Champion of Champions. Pauline was also proud of the SCBA/SCWBA Suffolk Presidential team, the six members combining so successfully at Skegness. Finally, Chloe Saunders was thanked for organising our excellent luncheon.
The toast to our guests was proposed by Donna Mills, SCWBA President Elect. Donna thanked everyone for their support during the year.
EWBF President, Irene Ballam, an amusing speaker, brought smiles to the proceedings with a variety of jokes. However, on a serious note, Irene pointed out that although sporting excellence is good in itself, we all need to work to help clubs and individuals to survive and flourish and to maintain interest in bowls in our area. Irene thanked the SCWBA for our warm-hearted welcome. Irene was presented with a large bunch of flowers with thanks by Pauline Black.
Presentations were made to the runners-up and winners of the individual outdoor and indoor competitions, followed by gifts for members of the Silver Jubilee Vase team. The thimbles from the SJV win were presented to Shirley Lilley, Donna Mills and Sue Rochard. In recognition of the success at Skegness, the crystal vase, previously donated by former Treasurer, Sue Boorman, and her sister Pam Ward, was again presented to Ann Craigie. Ann was also given a gift of a rose bush, with thanks from Junior President, Lesley Dyer.
Area C received the Wooden Spoon for the Ellen Matthews competition this year and the winning Area D team were presented with their swingers.
The successful luncheon concluded with a well-supported raffle, which raised £317 and Lesley Dyer was thanked for raising about £200 for the SCWBA this year by selling her question sheet.
By Sally Smith 25/10/24 0 comments
The indoor draws for 24/25 are now available under Competitions.
By Sally Smith 18/09/24 0 comments
L to R: Afton Curtis, Stephanie Thorburn, President Pauline, Rachel Chesman, Kate Kartacayen
By Pauline Black 10/09/24 0 comments
There were four entries for this 2-bowl singles competition which is open to any lady who has not bowled before the first Saturday in September 2023 in outdoor or any form of indoor bowls. Happily, the weather was beautiful for this Novice Singles event.
Our competitors were Rachel Chesman - Framlingham BC, Kate Kartacayen - Framlingham BC, Stephanie Thorburn - Wrentham BC and Afton Curtis - Rookery BC. Following light refreshments and a chat from Umpire Mike Nunn, the ladies commenced a three-session round robin of 12 ends, marked by President Pauline Black, President Elect Donna Mills, SCBA President Elect Andrew Burch, Silver Jubilee Vase Captain Ann Craigie and Past President Linda Nunn. Photographer for the day was President Pauline’s husband Geoff who in recent events has been stepping forward quite happily to assist. Click here for a photo gallery.
Following their matches which were definitely exciting to watch and mark, the ladies and spectators enjoyed their packed lunches before watching the 21 shot final between Afton Curtis and Rachel Chesman. Earlier in the day Rachel admitted that she wasn’t a ‘competitive’ person, she was just happy to play a game and was happy for her opponent if they beat her. It was very pleasing to notice that as the final progressed we began to see ‘competitive signs’ from her which we all laughed about afterwards. As the matches earlier the final was played in wonderful spirits and a lovely sense of camaraderie. The presentation of the Novice Singles Cup to Rachel and personal trophies from President Pauline to Rachel and runner-up Afton ended a long but lovely satisfying day for everyone involved. The four Novices thoroughly enjoyed their day from both a learning aspect and a competitive one. We fully expect to see all four on the greens in the future.
President Pauline has now recovered from her ‘apparently graceful, slow motion’ fall backwards off the green (fortunately on to a grass verge). Following a bruised calf, arm AND pride Pauline bounced back up and carried on marking. Thanks go to all the markers, umpire and Westerfield BC for hosting the event for us.
By WebsiteCoordinator 24/08/24 0 comments
Donna Mills, SCWBA President Elect, has had a very busy week at the Skegness EBF National Finals. As well as her official duties, she represented Suffolk in the 4 bowl singles competition, the 2 bowl rinks (with Helen Sharp and Joanne Clements) and the Champion of Champions. Donna was defeated in the second round of the 4 bowl, but with her Stone Lodge club team-mates, progressed to play a semi-final against Derbyshire in the 2 bowl rinks, which they lost by just one shot, 20-19. Today, Donna crowned a highly successful week by winning the Champion of Champions final against Northumberland opponent, N. Scott, by a dominant score of 21 to 11 shots.
It has been an excellent finals week for Suffolk. As well as retaining the Silver Jubilee Vase title at the start of the week, and Donna’s success in the Champion of Champions, Suffolk players also reached semi-finals in three competitions. Andrea Dickinson lost a close match in the Secretaries Singles by 21-18 against a Derbyshire opponent and Gillian Lamprey came agonisingly close to the final in the 2 bowl Singles competition, losing ultimately by just one shot to the Nottinghamshire competitor. Our young players, Kylie Smith and Mel Carter had an excellent competition in the Ladies Pairs, but lost 12-18 to Humberside in their semi-final. Well done to all Suffolk players!
Keep an eye on this site for more news and pictures from the Skegness National Finals 2024.
By WebsiteCoordinator 18/08/24 0 comments
At the National Finals in Skegness the Silver Jubilee Vase ladies were up against local favourites, Lincolnshire in their bid to retain their title. The large crowd of Suffolk supporters saw their team play confidently and with great support for each other. Suffolk maintained a lead throughout the match, concluding as winners by 130 to 83. Very well done to Team Captain, Ann Craigie and all her bowlers!
A photo gallery will follow when available
By WebsiteCoordinator 12/08/24 0 comments
Time again to make your entries to the indoor competitions! It’s good to be part of these competitions during the dark winter months. The winners progress to represent Suffolk in the National Finals in Lincoln in April. Full information will be found on the entry forms. Please note that, contrary to previous information, the final date for entry has been extended to 5th October. Your forms must reach Sue Rochard by that date.
Please note that entries for the Novices Competition on 1st September have now closed.