For social events coming up – see Social Events page.
Bocking May Fayre – Try Bowls for free – Monday 6th May
The bowls club will be open between 11am and 3pm on the Bocking May Day Fayre, providing the opportunity people to give bowls a go. A bowls coach will be on hand to offer assistance. Wear flat soled shoes i.e. trainers. All equipment will be provided.
Green Opening- Friday 19th April 5PM
If weather conditions are good the green will open on Friday 19th April at 5PM for roll ups
Bowls Club Pre-Season Open Meeting – Sunday 7th April at 10.30 in the clubhouse.
Bocking Sports Club AGM – Friday 8th March 8PM (bar open at 7PM)
Crocodile Hotson – Colin Hotson’s new life in Australia
It was just over four months ago that Colin Hotson and his wife Linda sold their Braintree house and flew out to Brisbane, Australia on one way tickets. It had taken them six and a half years from applying to receiving our Australian visas, then another year to sell their house.
At our ages it was a big move and one that only occurred due to the insistence of our daughters and their families who had moved out here to live ten years earlier.
As can be imagined, in the time we have been here, many ‘things’ have had to be done to establish ourselves as Australian Citizens. We have bought a bungalow – a house out here – and moved in immediately after Christmas and also bought an (automatic) car, manual cars are not sold here now. At least they drive on the same side of the road over here.
Life is good out here and although constant sunshine is good, the humidity is not good at all, but having had solar panels installed a couple of weeks ago these pay for the running of the air conditioning unit which reduces the indoor temperature to a far more acceptable level. Daily showers are necessary and I use only cold water. When it rains, it certainly throws it down and the humidity increases accordingly. Water is a commodity that is conserved as much as possible and the previous house owner had a 5000litre water tank and pump installed which helps in the dry periods to keep the garden plants in good condition without having to use mains water.
I have forgotten how many different mains plugs I have had purchase, and the few things that we have had to replace have not been too many. We are still sorting the house out to how we want it but getting there slowly. Although we have left friends and acquaintances behind who we miss very much, life is settling in to a routine and to be near our daughters and their families is well worth the move. Soon we will be looking to do volunteer work as we did at the Braintree Community Hospital, this will certainly make the time go quickly and will allow us a chance to put something back into the local community.
One thing to remember about Australia, and that is that there are not kangaroos living at the base of every tree and a koala bear up every tree. They do exist but only in certain areas and in the time we have been here, we have only seen a single wild kangaroo and that in one of our daughters extensive back garden.
Stephen Tate – Funeral
Steve’s Funeral will be held at the Three Counties Crematorium, Halstead Road, High Garrett, Braintree. CM7 5PB on Tuesday 20th February at 1.30pm followed by a wake at Bocking Sports Club, off Church Street, Bocking. CM7 5JY. All welcome who wish to show their respect.
Please advice that you wish to attend the wake so that we can get an approximate numbers coming, by emailing bockingsportsclub@gmail.com direct.
R.I.P. Stephen Tate
It is with deep regret to inform you that Stephen Tate (husband of Geraldine) passed away on 17th January.
Our thoughts are with Geraldine and the family at this sad time.
see Photo Gallery page for some of the work being undertaken in the close season.
R.I.P. Malcolm Smith 1942 – 2023
It is with much sadness we advise the death of Malcolm Smith. Malcolm was one of of the star bowlers of the Courtaulds Bocking Factory Club. A county player who won many accolades for both lawn bowls and indoor bowls, and took part in many county and national competitions. When he was no longer able to play bowls he took up petanque, although he remained keen on bowls watching many matches . He was always very helpful to new bowlers with encouragement and constructive advice. In latter years he came to the social events at the club and took part in our club nights playing crib. His knowledge of the history of the club and his jovial banter will be very sadly missed.
Happy New Year. Good health, good fortune, happiness and bowlers lots of woods near the jack.
Bocking Sports Club Christmas Draw – Friday 22nd December 2023 at 7pm
We hope all are well and ready for Christmas. A reminder that the Bocking Sports Club Christmas Draw is on Friday 22nd December. Bar opens at 7pm and The Christmas Draw is at 8pm. There will be nibbles and we hope to see as many of you that can make it on Friday.
Christmas Party – Friday 8th December 2023
Bocking Sports Club Christmas Party at the club. £10 includes Live singer Paul Jerome and Buffett bar opens 7.30 buffet at 8pm and live singer from 9pm to 12 Members and friends welcome
22nd October 2023 AGM – Cheque Presentation to St Helena Hospice
Club members Sarah May and John Kittles present a cheque for £1,577.55 to Neil Meadows of St Helena Hospice which was the club’s nominated charity for 2021 / 2022. The charity was chosen in remembrance of Ladies Club Captain Jeanette Seymour who sadly passed away from cancer in 2020 under the care of St Helena Hospice in her final days. The story is reported on the local Gazette News website – here https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/23921056.bocking-bowling-club-donate-st-helena-hospice-captains-memory/
Centenary Year 1923/2023
Green Opening 2023
The 2023 season commenced with our traditional Captain v Chairman match with 30 members participating.
Chairman’s Team Win
Back Row left to right Rodger King, Kevin Johnson, Steve Cook, Terry Broome, Ray Harris, Diane Page, Len Turner.
Front Row left to right Yvonne Butcher, Jan Bartlett, Sarah May, John Kittles (Chairman), Trevor Turner, Keith Sneyd, Andy Shuttlewood, Ted Hawkes.
2022 Bocking Special Charity Day for Florentina’s Footsteps
Florentina, a little six year old girl who was diagnosed when just four years old, with High Risk Neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer. Florentina’s Footsteps is collecting donations to enable Florentina to have a life saving vaccine only available on a trial in America. The club organised a special charity day, £800 was collected and Halstead Mason’s also kindly donated £300 so in total a cheque for £1100 was presented to Florentina and her mother pictured below. They have a target of £250,000 to achieve – more information can be found here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/florentina-burton?utm_term=Rnkdx76dG
Green Opening Date 2021
We hope to open the green on Saturday 17th April. Due to restrictions, there will not be a Pre-Season Open Meeting. The positions of Club Captain and Match Secretary are currently open, please consider filling these posts.
R.I.P. Garry Stewart
With much sadness we advise the death of Garry. Garry was a founder of the original clubhouse at Bocking and has remained a member for many decades.
Garry’s funeral is on Thursday 11th March at 4.30. If you wish to pay your respects, the cortege will be leaving the bowls club at 4 p.m.
Pre- Season Open Meeting – CANCELLED
Our pre-season open meeting to have been held on Sunday 5th April 2020 at 10.30a.m. in the clubhouse has had to be CANCELLED.
R.I.P. Jeanette Seymour
It is with great sadness we advise that Jeanette died peacefully on Boxing Day. Jeanette has been the club’s ladies captain for many years and has many friends within the local bowling community.
R.I.P. David Radford 1935-2019
David has been a long time member of Bocking Bowls Club and Bocking Alliance Bowls Club. David became a qualified bowls coach in 1983 and has played for Essex County on 35 occasions. He will be sorely missed.
2019 LADIES NWE TRIPLES LEAGUE WINNERS
The strength of our ladies membership has been demonstrated with their success in winning the 2019 Ladies NWE Triples League.
LADIES COUNTY UN-BADGED PAIRS CHAMPIONS
Many congratulations to Lesley Scott and Jane Bouch who are the 2019 Ladies County Un-badged Pairs Champions
2019 MENS NWE TRIPLES LEAGUE SUCCESSES
Our A Team are runners up in the A league and the B Team are runaway winners of the B league, winning all but one of their matches. The B Team then won the Stansted Cup by beating the winners of the western area, Clavering, 6-2 in the final.
2019 NWE PAIRS CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to Phil Wood and Roy Brown on winning the NWE Pairs
2019 Sudbury League Double Fours Champions
The club won this year’s Sudbury League Double Fours competition
2019 mEMORIAL SHIELD rUNNERS-UP
Having won the Millenium Cup in 2017 and 2018 we again reached the final and are this year’s runner-up.
2019 OPENING MATCH
Easter Saturday and beautiful weather encouraged 34 members to participate in the opening match. Traditionally Captain v Chairman, this year the Captain challenged the Vice Captain and all was going fine with 3 ends remaining on each of the 5 rinks and the Captain’s team leading by 11 shots. Then it all went pear-shaped with the final score being a win for the vice captain by 10 shots.
2019 pre-season open meeting
The Pre-Season Open Meeting will be held on Sunday 7th April 2019 at 10.30 a.m. in the Clubhouse. Please make every effort to attend.
2019 North west essex league fixtures
The 2019 North West Essex League fixtures have been added to the website.
2018 club successes
2018 has proven a great year for the club
MEMORIAL SHIELD WINNERS (for the second year in succession)
WIDDUP CUP WINNERS
MICHAEL IS THE 2018 SUDBURY LEAGUE OPEN SINGLES CHAMPION
Congratulations to Michael May who has won the Sudbury League Open Singles Competition which commenced with a field of 51 entries.
BOCKING TEAM WIN THE SUDBURY LEAGUE OPEN TRIPLES COMPETITION
Congratulations to the Bocking team of Gwen Steadman, Michael May and Sarah May who have won the 2018 Sudbury League Open Triples competition.
BOCKING TEAM ARE RUNNERS UP IN THE NORTH WEST ESSEX TRIPLES
Congratulations to the Bocking team of Kevin Johnson, Colin Burns and Roger King who are the 2018 runners up in the NWE Triples competition.
2018 AGM
The AGM will be held on Sunday 21st October at 10.30 a.m. in the Clubhouse. Please make every effort to attend.
presentation dinner
This year’s Presentation Dinner will be held on Saturday 20th October 2018 at Weaver’s Restaurant, Bocking Village Hall. Numbers are limited to 50 members/guests. Return your form to Yvonne by Friday 5th October.
volunteers required
Volunteers are needed to assist putting the green to bed for the winter on Saturday 19th September 2018 and also to help re-furbish the bar area on the weekend of 6th/7th October
Final drive of the season
The final drive of the season will take place on Saturday 22nd September 2018 and will be followed by Sausage & Mash supper.
SUNDAY FRIENDLY v STEBBING on 3rd JUNE has had to be CANCELLED by Stebbing.
SATURDAY FRIENDLY v DUNMOW on 26th MAY is CANCELLED due to Dunmow’s involvement in ladies and gents’ Top Club competitions on that day.
Wednesday 2nd May all men playing in the NWEBA Triples League Teams A, B, C and D are requested to attend for a pre-season practice session.
2018 OPENING MATCH
The 2018 season commenced with the traditional Captain v Chairman fixture. 36 bowlers attended on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with the green in superb condition.
The four winning skips for the Captain’s team were Janette Seymour +6, Roger King +5, Roy Brown +4 and Ivan Butcher +2.
The Chairman’s winning skips were Phil Wood +21 and John Kittles +1.
The Overall score being Captain’s Team 84 shots, Chairman’s Team 89 shots.
Sheets are on the notice board for the Captain v Chairman and Spring Triples matches. (21st and 28th April)
Mid Week Friendlies – The first batch of fixture sheets are on the club notice board
Sunday 8th April. The PRE-SEASON OPEN MEETING will be held in the clubhouse at 10.30 a.m. Please make every effort to attend.
2017 Charity Donation – Our cheque for £1278.89 was presented to the Braintree & District Stroke Support Group on 13th October 2017. A photo of the presentation is on the Photo Gallery Page.
Club Successes during 2017 – For the first time in club history we were winners of the Memorial Shield. Other successes included Widdup Cup runners-up, Sudbury League runners-up, Ladies NWE League 4th place, C and D teams promoted and Peter Hart was runner-up in the NWE Champion of Champions (losing 20-21 in the final)
E-MAIL ADDRESSES
E-mail addresses have been added for contacting the Secretary and the Captain. These addresses are included on the Contact Us page.
County Match at Bocking
Bocking Alliance Bowls Club are honoured to be chosen to host the ESSEX COUNTY BOWLING ASSOCIATION v N.W.E.B.A. on Tuesday 4th July 2017.
2017 Opening Match – Captain v Chairman
The 2017 season opened on the very pleasant afternoon of 22nd April with 34 club members taking part in the traditional CAPTAIN v CHAIRMAN fixture. With just 3 ends to play on each of the 6 rinks the overall scores could not have been much closer with the Chairman’s team holding a 3 shot lead. However the final 3 ends saw the Captain’s team score 30 shots against the Chairman’s team score of 10 shots. The final score being 101 shots against 88 shots in favour of the Captain.
FRIENDLY against halstead is CANCELLED
The friendly fixture against Halstead on Saturday 10th June has been cancelled as both clubs are involved in other competitions on the day.
Friendly against boreham is cancelled
Our friendly on 30th July against Boreham has been cancelled as our visitors are unable to fulfil the fixture.
C and D Teams Are Promoted
Congratulations to the Bocking Alliance C and D teams both of which have confirmed their promotions with one game left to play. The C team will join our A team in the NWE A league next season and the D team will join our B team in the B league.
2017 Presentation dinner
This year’s Presentation Dinner will be held on Saturday 21st October at Weaver’s Restaurant, Bocking Village Hall. 6.30pm for 7.00pm.
The restaurant has asked that numbers are limited to 55.
Yvonne has circulated the menu and your booking must be returned to Yvonne by Friday October 6th.
A G M 2017
The club AGM for 2017 will be held on Sunday 29th October 2017 at 10.30am in the Clubhouse.
Please make every effort to attend.
BOCKING ALLIANCE WIN THE MEMORIAL SHIELD 2017
For the first time in our club’s history Bocking Alliance have won the Memorial Shield.
Other ahievements in what has been a highly successful season for the club are:
WIDDUP CUP – RUNNERS-UP
SUDBURY LEAGUE – RUNNERS-UP
LADIES NWE LEAGUE – 4th PLACE
AND Peter Hart was RUNNER-UP IN THE NWE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS Competition, losing 20-21 in the final.