Details of Bowling Marathon on Sunday 30th 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
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.
