The 2011 season is now over, and the "end of term" work on the green that is so crucial to its well being in the coming season is complete. No less than SIX TONS of top dressing were applied to the bowling surface after it had been "scarified" and weeds and moss removed. This is absolutely critical if we are to continue with our ambition to keep the Townsend surface as one of the the best in the County.

Although the outdoor bowling season is over, many of our members still meet weekly at the club - sometimes just socially for a chat and a game of cards, sometimes for a game of short mat bowls. The men meet at 10am on Tuesdays, the ladies at 2pm on Thursdays and all new comers are made very welcome.

Unusually, we currently have a few vacancies for players of all standards and levels of experience, so if you`d like to try your hand with the short mat and meet other members then give Tony a ring on 01727 857520, or Jane on 01727 812385 or John on 01727 851693 to arrange a session. Bowls will be provided, just wear flat soled shoes or trainers.

Last season we enjoyed excellent results, both in our mid-week friendlies against other local clubs, where we won no less than 17 of our 19 fixtures, and also in our weekend matches. New bowlers have played in all our teams and almost without exception done very well -  most importantly all seem have enjoyed the experience! 

The outdoor season may be over but that doesn`t mean that club matches have stopped, with teams still representing the club by playing indoors against others in the area. As in the outdoor fixture list, mixed indoor matches are played along with our lady colleagues as well as separate mens and ladies matches.

Our mid week team, the "Cavaliers", have an annual day out planned for next season where they will be playing opposition from another locality. In the past few years ( a very windy!) Brighton, Oxford, Cheltenham and Stratford upon Avon have been visited,  and next August`s trip will be to play Cambridge`s premier club. Last year there was also a very successful short tour to South Wales - the second visit to that area and looking likely to become an annual occurence!

The only full England International from Hertfordshire for the last 30 years plays at Townsend - as do his 11 year-old son and father! He, Andrew Briden, won last season`s County Singles by the incredible margin of 21 shots to 2, and also the County Pairs with his club partner Danny Macro. They defeated local rivals from Garston by such a margin that the match was conceeded with three of the scheduled 21 ends still to play!

As well as having the current County singles champion, we also have the District singles award holder in Dave Houghton, and our strength in depth was shown by us having both finalists in the District Fours!

Finally, a reminder - don`t hesitate to phone one of the numbers above if you`d like to find out more about bowling and Townsend - we`d love to hear from you.