HAPPY 50th birthday!

Next Tuesday marks the 50th birthday of Saundersfoot Bowling Club.

On February 21, 1962, a number of local men, keen to have their own bowling green, called a meeting in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot. The purpose was to establish whether it would be possible to form a bowling club within the village of Saundersfoot.

Approximately 20 interested persons attended the meeting, and after hearing the speakers outline various plans, it was agreed by a large majority to go ahead and form just such a club. It was from that point that the hard work of forming a bowling club started.

The Right Honourable Lord Merthyr was contacted and invited to become the first president. Members were then asked to nominate and vote on the formation of the first club committee. The principal officers elected that night were: chairman - J. E. C. Scourfield; secretary - C. G. Lawrence; treasurer - J. H. Williams. The first captain of the club was Trevor Poole, father of Graham and Donny.

The first green fees to be charged was the princely sum of £1.10s0d per season!

The grand opening day was Wednesday, May 9, 1962, with the actual opening ceremony being carried out by the Hon. Trevor Lewis, on behalf of Lord Merthyr, who could not attend.

After the first wood had been delivered, a game was played between representatives of neighbouring clubs, Tenby, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock.

Half-a-century on, members and friends of the club are looking forward to the club's golden jubilee year.

The club will officially open for the season on Saturday, April 7, and five special matches have been arranged to celebrate the anniversary. The first will be on Wednesday, May 9 - 50 years to the day, the club opened - a men's game against Pembroke County Bowling Association.

To mark the anniversary of the formation, this week we feature an early team photograph, with captain Tom Osborne. How many other bowlers do you recognise?

Potage and pudding evening

There is still time to sign your name on the list in the clubhouse for the potage and pudding evening, with entertainment, at the club on Friday, February 24, from 7 pm. Tickets, £5, will include a bowl of cawl and a dish of pudding. Treasurer George Cavell will also be willing to accept membership fees from those who would like to pay now, either in full or partly.

Ladies captains

Congratulations to Angela Roberts and Kath Blayney who were elected captains of Saundersfoot and St. Issell's Ladies, respectively, at the spring meeting held last week.

Extra shirts and jackets

Don't forget, the last day to sign your name on the notice for extra club shirts (£16) and/or jackets (£18) is Saturday, March 3 - the morning of the spring coffee morning. There will be a jacket on display for those interested to see and try on.