 | 2009 tour! |
| An unusual beginning to our tour this year. No Fox at Bramdean but services on the A12 to Ipswich around Chelmsford. Bill, Kevin, Harry, Mike and Tom seem happy enough though. | |
 | Lunch at Copdock and Washbrook BC |
| The journey to Suffolk is over and 'the lads' enjoy a splendid lunch at Copbrook and Washbrook BC. | |
 | What do you think Roger? |
| Cecil Wadey appears to be asking Roger Lucking a very taxing question. Could it have been which side of the bed he wanted back at the hotel? | |
 | A great start |
| Big Pat seems happy with his leads early bowls during the first match at Copdock and Washbrook. | |
 | Copdock and Washbrook BC |
| A view across the green at Copdock. Plenty of cloud but some nice warm sunshine as well. | |
 | Stride out Michael |
| New tourist Michael Johnson strides out with his delivery whilst Ricky Gosnell thinks about what to do next. | |
 | Welcome to your 25th tour Harry |
| Harry Gosnell watching the game at Copdock and Washbrook BC at the start of his 25th tour with the club. | |
 | What are you thinking about Eric? |
| Eric West contemplates life on the balcony at Copdock and Washbrook BC. | |
 | Mines bigger than yours! |
| Alan Catterson appears to be telling Steve Hawkes that his house in Thassos, Greece is bigger than Steve's in Spain. Steve just thinks 'Plonker'. | |
 | I'm off for tea. |
| Mike Meadows looks pleased with his efforts during the first half of the game at Copdock and Washbrook BC. A cup of tea and a piece of cake would go down well. | |
 | Time for bed! |
| With Chiffo not travelling this year Roger Ayling was in need of a new room mate. The young Bevan Boy obviously wanted to get off on the right foot as he was good enough to make up Rogers bed for him. | |
 | Just like the old days. |
| First night away on tour and Roger rolls back the years. Chatting up the young barmaid. | |
 | Card sharks |
| The card school in full swing on the first night. From left to right: Barry, Ned, Pat, Rick (standing), Mike and Ron. In the front of the photo is Roger Lucking. | |
Owl Sanctuary |  |
| Day 2 started with an interesting trip the Stoneham Owl Sanctuary. The excellent guide kept everyone interested for a full two hours. | |
Cute |  |
| Aren't they cute. Reminds me of the 'Armstrong twins' when they were much younger. These babies were just a couple of weeks old. | |
Flying high |  |
| The West Sussex Tourist flag flies high at the Borough of Eye Bowling Club. A shame the match result wasn't the best! | |
Watching brief |  |
| Ted Lane with a large Brandy to hand intently watching the game at Borough of Eye with his old buddy Harry Gosnell. (Note the Whiskey on the arm of the bench). | |
Borough of Eye BC |  |
| A view across the green at the Borough of Eye Bowling Club. Those ladies were damned competitive. | |
It's a long way down there |  |
| George Thurgood appears to be advising Gareth and Ken exactly how far away the jack is. | |
Hail the lead! |  |
| Club Secretary Chris appears to be more than happy with his leads two woods at the Borough of Eye BC. | |
Get ready .... go |  |
| Bert Stapley prepares to deliver in the tussle on Sunday at The Borough of Eye BC. | |
 | Tony Bray remembered |
| It was Indoor and Outdoor at Sudbury BC. Brian Pryce appears to be giving it the 'Tony Bray wave' after a fine delivery. | |
 | 10 up after 11 ends |
| Tom Whittington and Ned Waddock concentrate hard whilst playing on the Indoor rinks at Sudbury BC. | |
 | Sudbury BC |
| A view across the green at Sudbury BC | |
 | A beer up for grabs |
| The Hon. Secretary will buy a pint for the first person to correctly identify this tourist carrying out the measure at Sudbury. | |
 | Cecil you should know better! |
| Surely our President should not be laughing at Noddy Clement whilst he prepares to deliver at Sudbury BC. | |
 | Meet our friend |
| Not a good day at the office for Steve Hawkes, Stan Watt and Bert Stapley - they've got Paxo! | |
 | Ding Dong |
| Ron Bell prepares to deliver at Sudbury. Mick Meadows watches closely but Derek Brockhurst appears to be disinterested in his team mates efforts. | |
 | Concentration |
| Derek Ford crouches low at the start of his delivery. | |
 | No arguements |
| The opposition skip agrees with Barry Horsley. One shot to the tourists. | |
 | Multi talented |
| Our coach driver Kevin displays his skills to the players of both clubs. | |
 | Sing up! |
| Our members entertain the Sudbury bowlers to a rendition of Sussex By The Sea. | |
Welcome to Felixstowe |  |
| What a wild welcome to Felixstowe. The bowling club was just 50 yards from the sea front where this photo shows exactly what the weather was like.. | |
Relax chaps |  |
| The tourists members enjoy a pre game drink in the impressive clubhouse at Felixstowe BC. | |
Unusual |  |
| The Felixstowe BC green is the only club in the country to surrounded on three sides by beach huts. | |
Spider |  |
| Before the match at Felixstowe the host club held a 'Spider' for a bottle of Whiskey. We have a great shot of the players of both clubs looking for their wood. | |
Felixstowe and Suffolk BC |  |
| A photograph of the superb clubhouse at Felixstowe and Suffolk BC. Definately one of the best clubs in Suffolk. | |
Smooth |  |
| A lovely smooth delivery from Derek Brockhurst at Felixstowe. A shame that Ken Armstrong didn't appreciate it. Seems to be negotiating a price for the Felixstowe players woods. | |
Stepping out |  |
| Michael Johnson is closely followed by Joe Gilpin as the pair stride up the green at Felixstowe. | |
Balancing act |  |
| Jon Clear caught in mid delivery at Felixstowe. Despite the strong wind Jon still braved things in his shorts. | |
 | Morning visit |
| Our coach arrives at the Ipswich Transport Museum. | |
 | Tickets please |
| Some happy smiling faces (from left to right: Barry Horsley, Roger Ayling, Gareth Beven, Steve Hawkes, Pat O'Leary, Chris Rolph, Mike Meadows, Ron Bell and Jon Clear) aboard an old Ipswich bus. | |
 | Bramford BC |
| A view across the green at Bramford BC where we played the Suffolk County VP's at EBF rules. | |
 | Concentration |
| Alan Catterson concentrates hard whilst skipping against the VP's. | |
 | This way skip |
| Mike Meadows (watched by Rick Gosnell) instructs his skip during the game at Bramford. | |
 | Have you dropped one Gareth? |
| Maybe just maybe young Gareth has passed wind. The look on Mike Gray's face suggests he has. | |
 | Well done |
| Skip Chris Rolph applauds his team mates bowl despite only getting 'second wood. | |
 | Footy ? |
| Roger Ayling rolls back the years as he appears to playing football with the jack at Bramford. | |
 | Poor bus driver! |
| Our assistant bus driver appears worn out - after all he did drive about five miles today. | |
 | Enjoyment |
| Pat O'Leary enjoys a large Gin and Tonic at Bramford BC. | |
Hadleigh BC |  |
| Steve Hawkes to Mike Meadows - he may be a very nice man Mike but he can't bowl for a toffee, just look at that one! | |
I hate playing two! |  |
| Captain Bill maybe thinking ...... why is it the the three and four get all the fun? I hate playing number 2. | |
Well bowled George? |  |
| Everyone seems interested with George Thurgood's bowl during our game against Hadleigh BC - everyone that is except his team mates. | |
Go for it Ken! |  |
| He may be getting on for 90 but Ken can still make the girls smile, at least at Hadleigh he can. | |
It's all go |  |
| A picture across a busy green at Hadleigh BC. Everyone looks interested but I've no idea who has the shot(s). | |
It's been a hard day |  |
| Noddy Clement enjoys a quiet 'nap' in the clubhouse at Hadleigh BC. Too much Whiskey maybe? | |
Now it's Bill's turn |  |
| Must be something in the air at Hadleigh. Now Bill Elford appears to be catching flies in the clubhouse. | |
Easily pleased? | |
| Chris appears to be keeping the Petworth contingent (Ted, Tom, Roger and Cecil) amused after dinner in the hotel. Maybe he was explaining why it was Cecil's round (again). | |
 | Stonelodge BC |
| A busy scene at Stonelodge BC. | |
 | Noddy |
| Noddy Clement on his way up the Stonelodge green. | |
 | Across the Stonelodge green |
| Stonelodge BC - a view across the green | |
 | What are you up to Chunky Boy? |
| I trust that it is a piece of chalk your trying to find Gareth? | |
 | You play your own game George. |
| George Thurgood delivers and Jon Clear, Ken Wheeler and Bill Bryder seem more interested in the young lady on the next rink. | |
 | An enjoyable day |
| Thank you Stonelodge for an enjoyable afternoon. I bet you don't show Val this picture Steve! | |
 | Who was it? |
| Come on guys own up. Just who did Paxo belong to after the game at Stonelodge BC? | |
A job well done |  |
| Carlos from the Elizabeth (Copdock) Hotel accepts the thanks from our President Cecil for a job well done. Looking after us for the week. | |
Thank you Kevin |  |
| After our coach driver of the last few years (Diane) left Turners Tours we were a little aprehensive as to who we would get this time. We shouldn't have worried, Kevin was a more than adequate replacement - if not as pretty! | |
and you too Steve |  |
| Cecil thanks our 'Assistant coach driver' for his help during the week. Doesn't he smile a lot when your passing him money! | |
Top rink |  |
| Captain Bill Bryder presents the 'Top rink of the week' prize to Mike Gray, Eric West, Graham Allen and Roger Lucking. | |
Player of the week - Runner Up |  |
| Despite winning all his matches during the week club secretary Chris Rolph only came second in the players rankings at the end of the week. Here we show Chris accepting his Runner Up prize from our President Cecil. | |
Player of the week - Champion |  |
| Unbeaten throughout the week, Alan Catterson accepts the applause whilst proudly showing off his winners trophy. Well done Alan. | |
25 Tours! |  |
| President Cecil presents Harry Gosnell with his award upon reaching the milestone of 25 tours. | |
and another 25 tours! |  |
| Chris Rolph presents President Cecil with his award for reaching the 25 tour milestone. | |
Goodbye Suffolk |  |
| The tour party wave goodbye to Suffolk at the end of an enjoyable tour. | |
 | Tour 2008 |
| A view of the Clarence House Hotel, Tenby. A fine venue for our 2008 tour. *** More pictures will be added as soon as I get time *** | |
The tour itinerary |  |
| The 2008 'Tour Card'. Another splendid tour and we were blessed with the best weather we have had for many years. | |
 | Fox Inn, Bramdean |
| Where the tour has traditionally started for over 25 years. All members have been picked up over West Sussex and the Fox Inn, Bramdean is reached again for an early tipple. | |
Arrival at The Fox - 1 | |
| Tom Whittington, Brian Pryce, Chris Rolph, Bill Bryder, Graham Allen and Alan Catterson. | |
 | Arrival at The Fox - 2 |
| George Thurgood, Ken Wheeler, Ron Hyam, Ted Lane, Kevin Mitchell and Rick Gosnell. | |
Arrival at The Fox - 3 |  |
| Joe Gilpin, Harry Gosnell, Mike Meadows, Ken Armstrong, Phil Gander and Geof Armstrong. | |
 | Arrival at The Fox - 4 |
| Ron Bell, Ron Friday, Alan Bowler, Derek Ford, Roger Lucking and Ken Timms. | |
Arrival at The Fox - 5 |  |
| Bert Stapley, Barry Horsley, Stan Watt, Hammy Pannu, Derek Brockhurst and Franco Sacco. | |
 | Arrival at The Fox - 6 |
| Pat Graysmark, Steve Hawkes, Pat O'Leary, Gareth Beven and Roger Ayling. | |
Arrival at The Fox - 7 |  |
| Jon Clear, Cecil Wadey, Peter Chiffins and Di (our coach driver) | |
 | Arrival at The Fox - 8 |
| Alan (Pompey) Stewart and Cecil Wadey. | |
Lunch stop |  |
| A carvery lunch at The Hollybush Inn just off the M4, north of Cardiff. | |
 | Bad idea! |
| Harry Gosnell introduces 'new boy' Ken (not the Fox again) Wheeler to the delights of a drink or three at Carmarthen Bowling Club. | |
Cheers (what a nice man Roger is) !! |  |
| Tom Whittington, Roger Lucking and Ted Lane enjoy a pre match drink at Carmarthen BC. | |
 | Kidwelly Industrial Museum |
| An interesting morning spent on route to our game at Llanelli. | |
Yes it really was that hot! |  |
| Derek Brockhurst, Gareth Beven and Roger Ayling relax in the sun after our trip around the Kidwelly Industrial Museum. | |
 | Llanelli BC |
| Alan Bowler prepares to deliver at Llanelli BC. | |
Sleeping beauty |  |
| Gareth finds time to relax at Llanelli BC - well it is the third day of the tour. | |
 | Welcome to the Clarence House |
| Hubert (Mr. Clarence House) welcomes friends 'new and old' to the Clarence house Hotel, Tenby. | |
Hubert finds a 'special' friend! |  |
| Diane stopped the coach at Solva for a short coffee break. The Chunky Boy looks to be enjoying himself whilst on route to St.Davids. | |
 | Rangers on tour |
| Hon. Secretary Chris showing off his Queens Park Rangers shirt at St.Davids Cathedral. | |
Haverfordwest BC |  |
| A view across the rinks on a blazing hot day at Haverfordwest Bowling Club. | |
 | Who cares about the result? |
| Barry, Bert, Steve and Stan don't seem to mind that we got thrashed, the beer was cool! | |
Pendine BC |  |
| Our flag flutters proudly in the wind at Pendine Bowling Club. Lovely people and a smashing venue. | |
 | Lunch at Pendine BC |
| As if we hadn't eaten enough already this week, Pendine supplied lunch as well. | |
Play is under way |  |
| A view across the rinks at Pendine Bowling Club. Pat O'Leary prepares to deliver on Rink 1. | |
 | Catchweight contest? |
| Looks as if Big Pat had a height and weight advantage in this game! | |
Tea time |  |
| What is it about the English (and the Welsh by the looks of this photo)? A lovely game of bowls and some cool beer to stop the throat from drying out and someone rings the 'Tea Bell'. | |
 | Play up Pompey |
| Alan Stewart's Pompey scarf got everywhere during the week. Doesn't look as if Hammy, Barry, Ima and Harry could care less. | |
Pemberton's Chocolate Farm |  |
| The Chunky Boy enters Pemberton's Chocolate Farm at Llanboidy. Hubert was close behind! | |
 | Free tasters |
| Free tasters on offer - how the hell did Ted beat Chris and Roger to get to the front? | |
The Twins -(1) |  |
| Ken Armstrong (left) and Geof Armstrong (right) prepare to play at a gloomy Whitland BC. The rain did however leave us alone and a pleasant game ensued. | |
 | Twins - (2) |
| Confusing for those Whitland bowlers as Chris and Peter prepare for the game as well. | |
Little and Large |  |
| Little Barry Horsley makes his way out to play at Whtiland behind a rather large Ron Friday. | |
 | Captains corner |
| The Tenby club Captain welcomes tourist Captain Bill Bryder to his club. We beat them for the first time! | |
On high! |  |
| A balcony, the Tenby club bar open all day and Gareth, Joe and Kevin with a day off can only mean .... trouble!!!! | |
 | Lesson number 1 |
| Our coach driver Diane gets her first bowls lesson on the greens at Tenby. | |
Cool pint |  |
| Our Hon. Secretary Chris enjoys a pint after the game at Tenby. Another top rink perhaps? | |
 | I wonder? |
| Kenny Timms is either looking down Diane's cleavage or someone has nicked his Gin and Tonic. | |
Who's round is it? |  |
| Alan and Mike seem to be having a problem deciding who has to get the next round ... sod it they say it must be Roger Ayling's. | |
 | The last supper |
| Bert, Phil, Hammy and Stan at the last supper on Friday evening. The tour is nearing the end for another year. | |
Enjoyed it |  |
| The look on the faces of George, Ken, Ron and Derek appear to say 'we enjoyed the tour'. In the background we see Brian, Steve and Ken. | |
 | Presentations |
| Hubert accepts a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the hotel owner Penny and presents President Cecil with smashing group photograph taken earlier in the week. | |
Lovely smile |  |
| A lovely smile from Diane as she accepts a bannerette and her gratuity from President Cecil after taking us on another safe tour. | |
 | Top Rink |
| Top rink of the week: Jon, Roger, Mike and Kevin accept their prizes. | |
Runner Up |  |
| A proud Tom Whittington accepts his Runner Up Cup from President Cecil. | |
 | Player of the week |
| Well done to club photograher Alan Stewart who showed his talent on the bowling green this year. The Player of the week trophy is presented by President Cecil. | |