Hesketh Arms Bowling Club

NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2026

BERNARD O’MALLEY MEMORIAL TROPHY – OPEN SINGLES 2026

SPONSORED BY BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP

The Club’s Open Singles competition, now named the Bernard O’Malley Memorial Trophy in honour of our late Honorary Vice-President, will take place this Sunday 6th September. We have received entries from Formby, Crosby, Skelmersdale, Liverpool, Wirral, Preston and Wigan, as well as a number of local bowlers. Play will commence at 10.00 am as the players battle it out for the £570 prize fund, boosted by the generous sponsorship of Birkdale Insurance Group.

At the time of writing, there are still a couple of vacancies in the competition at the 10.00 am start time. There is an entry fee of £10 and anyone interested in taking one of these places should contact Mike Milne (07752352065) or Chris Harding (07761733024).

Spectators on the day will be very welcome for what should be a day of quality bowling and any help with marking cards and measuring would be appreciated, especially for the first couple of sessions. If any members could spare an hour or so to assist with this, the organisers would be very grateful.

RACE NIGHT

Members are reminded that the club is holding a Race Night on Saturday, 19th September at Churchtown Conservative. The first race starts at 7:45pm.

We would encourage all members to support this event as the costs of running the club and maintaining the green are increasing year on year.

Tickets are on sale at £5.00 each and the evening will include a buffet.

Even if you are unable to attend on the night, you can support the event by purchasing a horse in one of the eight races at £5.00 per horse. The owner of the winning horse in each race will receive a prize. Horses are selling quickly, so please get in touch quickly to avoid missing out.

We are also looking for race sponsors at £20 per race.

There will also be a raffle and donations of prizes will be gratefully received on the night.

Tickets and horses can be purchased from team captains, at the Round Robin, or by contacting George Hitchmough 07977500131 or any committee member.

SOUTHPORT VETERANS’ LEAGUE

Congratulations to our Southport Veterans’ League team, the Hobbies, on reaching the final of the Joe Bond Knockout Trophy. The final will take place on Monday, 5th October, at a venue to be announced.

BOWLING MARATHON

On Sunday 30th August, the club hosted a Bowling Marathon. This was organised by Derek Ainsworth to raise funds for the Cornerstone Library, Churchtown’s volunteer run community library. Derek bowled for 12 hours from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm and raised a significant amount of money for the popular local library. Many thanks to everyone who supported the event by playing, sponsoring Derek, buying raffle tickets, marking cards and measuring.

A look back at Derek Ainsworth’s 12-hour bowls marathon for Cornerstone Library, a memorable day of bowling and community support in Churchtown.

Details of Bowling Marathon on Sunday 30^th August

The event page is: Derek’s 12-Hour Bowls Marathon for Cornerstone Library

The direct link to the schedule is: Bowling-Programme-30-August.pdf

David Southworth

Digital & IT Trustee

digital@cornerstonelibrary.org /  cornerstonelibrary.org

North Meols Library Association is registered in England and Wales as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Registered Charity No. 1162565 Registered Address: Cornerstone Library, 1C Marshside Road, Southport, PR9 9TL

Congratulations to Alex Rimmer and Derek Wignall on winning the Vice-Presidents Pairs Trophy. The competition was played using a round robin format in the early stages and Alex and Derek were in consistently good form all day, comfortably winning all four of their group games. Their opponents in the final were the experienced pairing of John Hughes and Len Southworth but Alex and Derek continued their good form by winning the first eight ends to lead 14-0 in the 15 up decider. John and Len staged a fightback to close the gap to 7-14 but Alex and Derek were able to find the single chalk required.

The club is holding a Race Night on Saturday, 19 September at Churchtown Conservative. The first race starts at 7:45pm.

We hope you will support the event. All funds raised will go towards out-of-season work on the bowling green.

Entry will cost £5.00 and include a finger buffet.

You can also buy a horse in one of the eight races for £5.00 per horse. The owner of the winning horse in each race will receive a prize.

There will also be a raffle, and prize donations would be gratefully received.

Tickets and horses can be purchased from team captains, at the Round Robin, or by contacting George Hitchmough 07977500131 or any committee member.

We hope you can join us and support this club fundraising event, hosted on the night by your MC, Chris Harding.

NEWS UPDATE

VICE-PRESIDENTS PAIRS TROPHY – RANDOM DOUBLES

Members are reminded that the Vice-Presidents Pairs Trophy will take place this coming Sunday, 16th August. This will be a random doubles competition, with pairings drawn on the day. There will be a plate competition organised for pairs losing in their first game. 

To enter, please register at the green by 11.45 am, for a 12 noon start.

THE JACK HUGHES MEMORIAL TROPHY

John Hughes is running the Jack Hughes Memorial Trophy on Sunday, 20th September, in memory of his late father. John is inviting entries from any member of the Hesketh Arms Bowling Club, but the number of entries is limited to 32. To enter, please add your name to the sheet on display at the green.

This event will start at 10.30 am and will include a round robin stage, guaranteeing all participants more than one game.

There will be a raffle on the day, with all proceeds going to the Hesketh Arms Bowling Club. The main prize in the raffle will be a new set of bowls.

For more information, please contact John Hughes (07510733668).

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION

The Southport Federation team’s final National League fixture of the season resulted in a 21-11 defeat against Wakefield.

The home leg was played at Fleetwood Hesketh and the team’s 8-4 win included a 21-19 success for Darren Edgerley.

Southport have had a tough season in a difficult division and will be looking to bounce back in 2027.

DIARY OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Although our team’s league fixtures are coming to an end, there is still plenty of bowling and a variety of events planned at the Hesketh Arms between now and the end of September, when the green will close to allow essential maintenance end-of-season maintenance work to be carried out.

As well as the popular Tuesday and Friday morning Round Robins, which will continue throughout August and September, please make a note of the following dates :-

Sunday 16th August – Vice-Presidents Pairs Trophy – Random Doubles – see above for more details.

Sunday 30th August – Bowling Marathon – an event organised by Derek Ainsworth to raise funds for the Cornerstone Library – see previous newsletter and website for further details.

Sunday 6th September – The Bernard O’Malley Memorial Trophy – the Club’s annual Open Singles competition. There are still places available in this event – if interested, please contact Chris Harding (07761733024) or Mike Milne (07752352065).

Sunday 13th September – Possible date for the Blowick Cup Champions of Champions – TO BE CONFIRMED

Sunday 20th September – Jack Hughes Memorial Trophy – see above for further details.

Sunday 27th September – The Last Chance Cup – the final Random Doubles of the season.

NEWSLETTER – AUGUST 2026

PRESIDENT’S CUP

Congratulations to Andy Draper on winning the President’s Cup. Andy was playing off minus 1 and had tough games against Derek Wignall (21-14) and Alan Lloyd (21-20) on the way to the final. Andy’s opponent in the final was Chris Porter, who had a close 21-16 win in his semi-final against Len Southworth. The final was expected to be close and so it proved, although Chris appeared to be in control when he led 15-5 after 12 ends. Andy fought back to lead 20-17 before Chris won the next two ends to level the final at 20 across. In a fitting end to the competition, it was Andy who won the last end to take the title with a 21-20 win. Well done to both players on providing us with an excellent final.

A plate competition was organised for players who lost in their first game and this was won by Derek Wignall, who defeated John McCabe 21-10 in the final.

The afternoon concluded with the trophy and prize money being presented by our President, John Unsworth

BERNARD O’MALLEY MEMORIAL TROPHY – OPEN SINGLES 2026

SPONSORED BY BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP

Entries are still being taken for the Club’s Open Singles competition, which will be held on Sunday 6th September. There will be sessions starting at 10.00 am, 10.45 am, 11.30 am and 12.15 pm. To enter, please contact Chris Harding (07761733024) or Mike Milne (07752352065). The entry fee is £10.00 per player and prize money will be paid, as follows :-

Winner – £220.00 ;      Runner-Up – £110.00

Semi-Finalists – £60.00 ;  Quarter-Finalists – £30.00

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION

Southport play their final National League fixture of the season this Sunday, 9th August, when they take on Wakefield. The home leg will take place at Fleetwood Hesketh and will start at 2.00 pm. Spectators will be very welcome.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – CLUB COMPETITIONS

Sunday 16th August – Vice-Presidents Pairs Trophy – Random Doubles with Plate

Sunday 27th September – The Last Chance Cup – Random Doubles with Plate

Both the above competitions will start at 12 noon and pairings will be drawn on the day

GREEN BOOKING

BOWLING MARATHON

On Sunday 30th August, the club is hosting a Bowling Marathon. This is being organised by Derek Ainsworth to raise funds for the Cornerstone Library, Churchtown’s volunteer run community library. Spectators will be welcome on the day and help will be required throughout the day with scoring and measuring. This promises to be a great event in support of a worthy cause.

CHAIRMAN’S SHIELD

Congratulations to John Hughes and John McCabe on winning the Chairman’s Shield, overcoming Mal Green and Mike Stevens in an all Hobbies final. The losing semi-finalists were Chrissy and Steve McManus and Tony Baldwin and Dave White. 

The winners of the Plate were Derek Liddle and Alex Rimmer, with a narrow 21-18 win over Colin and Lynda Edge.

PRESIDENT’S CUP

Our next club competition will be the President’s Cup, which will take place this Sunday 2^nd August. This will be a singles handicap, with a plate competition for players losing in their first game

. To enter, please register at the green by 11.45 am, for a 12 noon start. 

COMPETITION NEWS – JULY 2026

CHAIRMAN’S SHIELD – NON-RANDOM PAIRS

Members are reminded that the Chairman’s Shield will take place this coming Sunday 26th July. This will be our only non-random club pairs of the season, where you are able to choose your own partner. 

To enter, please register at the green by 11.45 am, for a 12 noon start.

BERNARD O’MALLEY MEMORIAL TROPHY – OPEN SINGLES 2026

SPONSORED BY BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP

Entries are now being taken for the Club’s Open Singles competition, which will be held on Sunday 6th September. There will be sessions starting at 10.00 am, 10.45 am, 11.30 am and 12.15 pm. To enter, please contact Chris Harding (07761733024) or Mike Milne (07752352065). The entry fee is £10.00 per player and prize money will be paid, as follows :-

Winner – £220.00 ;      Runner-Up – £110.00

Semi-Finalists – £60.00 ;  Quarter-Finalists – £30.00

LV LEAGUE INDIVIDUALS

On Sunday 19th July, we hosted the Southport LV League’s Individuals competition. On a very fast and tricky green, the winner was Steve McManus, who overcame Carl Hankin from the London Tigers in a close final. Congratulations to Steve on his win and also to Lynda Edge and Chrissy McManus on reaching the semi-finals.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Sunday 2nd August – President’s Cup (Singles) 12 noon start

This will be a singles handicap, with a plate competition for players losing in their first game. To enter, please register at the green on the day by 11.45 am.

SOUTHPORT LV LEAGUE – INDIVIDUALS COMPETITION

This Sunday, 19th July, sees our club hosting the finals of the Southport LV League’s Individuals competition. Although none of our own LV team are in the last eight of this competition, four of the quarter-finalists play for our teams in other leagues. Please come down and give them your support. Any help with scoring on the day would also be appreciated. The quarter-final line-up can be seen below and the matches start at 1.00 pm.

Carl Hankin (London Sphynx) v Gary Johnson (London Sphynx)

Lynda Edge (Fleetwood Hesketh) v John Greenwood (London Sphynx)

Gordon Gow (Sandbrook Park) v Chrissy McManus (Scarisbrick NSC)

Steve McManus (Scarisbrick NSC) v John Ashcroft (Victoria PBC)

CHAIRMAN’S SHIELD

The next club competition will be the Chairman’s Shield, which will be held on Sunday, 26th July. This will be the only non-random pairs we will be holding this season, meaning that you can enter the competition with a partner of your choice. There will be two further random pairs events held in August and September.

To enter the Chairman’s Shield, please register at the green on the day by 11.45 am. The competition will start promptly at 12 noon.

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION

Southport’s third National League Division Six fixture of the season resulted in a 26-6 defeat against Doncaster. In the home leg, which was played at Tarleton Bowling Club, Mike Milne won 21-11 and Fergal Wright 21-20, as the team lost 7-5. The away leg was held at Carcroft Village Social Club and the team’s only winner was Will Roddan, who won 21-15.

 Southport’s final fixture of the season will take place on Sunday 9th August, when they take on Wakefield.

 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – CLUB COMPETITIONS

Sunday 2nd August – President’s Cup (Singles) 12 noon start

 This will be a singles handicap, with a plate competition for players losing in their first game.

 Dates for further competitions, to be held in August and September, will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

 GREEN BOOKING

BOWLING MARATHON

 Please note that on Sunday 30th August, the club is hosting a Bowling Marathon. This is being organised by Derek Ainsworth to raise funds for the Cornerstone Library, Churchtown’s volunteer run community library.

 Full details of this event will be posted in due course.

NEWSLETTER – JULY 2026

CHAMPIONSHIP CUP

The Championship Cup took place on Saturday and was won by Mike Milne, overcoming Chris Porter 21-18 in a close final. The losing semi-finalists were Jim Halsall and Derek Wignall.

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A Plate competition was organised, and this was won by Colin Edge, with a 21-18 win against John McCabe.

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RULES OF CROWN GREEN BOWLS

Following a dispute in a recent local league match (not involving one of our teams), the league concerned has sent out a copy of the BCGBA rules, so that team bowlers in particular can ensure that they are sufficiently acquainted with the rules of the game. Please see the document below – a hard copy will be available in the clubhouse and copies can be printed out for members if required.  

It has been recommended that if a player is concerned that there has been a breach of the rules during the course of a match, they should consult with their captain in the first instance. The captains of the two teams may be able to resolve the matter before it escalates. If the captain is on the green at the time, the player should refer the matter to the team’s vice-captain or a senior player.

LINK TO BDGBA RULES :-

Rules of the Game

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION

Southport’s next game in the National League 6th Division will take place this Sunday, 12th July, when they play Doncaster in a crucial fixture.

The home leg will take place at Tarleton Bowling Club and spectators will be very welcome. The match starts at 2.00 pm.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – CLUB COMPETITIONS

Sunday 26th July – Chairman’s Shield (Doubles) 12 noon start

Sunday 2nd August – President’s Cup (Singles) 12 noon start

GREEN BOOKING – LV INDIVIDUALS

Sunday 19th July – Finals Day of L.V. Individuals competition

Spectators will be very welcome to come down and watch the finals day of the LV Individuals competition, which we are pleased to have been asked to host. Play will commence at 1.00 pm and any help with marking will be appreciated.

George Hitchmough

07977500131

Secretary

HESKETH ARMS BOWLING CLUB

Botanic Road, Southport, PR97NA

Tel:- 01704214675 Mobile 07977500131

Email:- secretary@hesketharmsbowlingclub.co.uk

george@hitchmough.co.uk