Insight

South London Regional Manager, Anthony Driver with the two teams that competed in the final, Orpington Excelsior and Beckenham, Bromley & District Bowls Association.

Francis Chappell & Sons 175th Anniversary Lawn Bowls Competition

On Sunday 28 June, Francis Chappell & Sons Lawn Bowls Tournament took place at the Francis Drake Bowls Club, Lewisham. The event was held to celebrate the businesses 175^th anniversary.

Regional training officer, Emma Sparre-Slater, said: “Ian Much, a funeral director based in Lewisham, made contact with the club towards the end of last year and asked if they would be interested in hosting an interclub event. The club captain, Ron Phillips, and vice captain and fixtures secretary, Michael Singer, were very keen on the idea and set about enlisting other clubs to take part.”

Emma, Ian and funeral service arranger, Bea Osman, organised the event and arranged for lunch, a trophy and a marquee to be provided.

On the day, five clubs were involved, each with a mixed team of three and the tournament was played on a round robin basis with the two highest scoring teams competing for the winners’ trophy. Francis Chappell & Sons was represented by regional manager, Anthony Driver; area manager, Peter Cladingboel; memorial manager, Carol Ann Driver and funeral director, Elaine Stepto, along with Emma, Ian and Bea.

Emma continued: “The day began with a welcome from the umpire and Ian with play beginning soon after. It turns out that bowls players are a little like funeral directors, in that even the threat of rain does not prevent ‘business as usual’! Luckily the heaviest rain fell at lunch time and play only stopped again for cream tea during which the points were added up and the two top teams announced.”

The Orpington Excelsior team were the first team to lift the Francis Chappell & Sons 175^th Anniversary Cup and it is hoped that the tournament will become an annual fixture in the calendar.

Both Ron and Michael said: “We were very proud when Francis Chappell & Sons chose Francis Drake to host their first ever bowls tournament. We would be pleased to have this as an annual event and already have plans to make next year bigger and better.”

Following the presentation of the trophy, staff were given the chance to take part in a game.

“Carol Ann and Bea were both declared naturals and we may well be entering our own team into the tournament next year!”