Ciara's Goblet

Ciara’s Goblet

Who can forget the great storm of February 2020, when Ciara swept through Market Bosworth, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Thankfully the damage to the Bowl’s Clubhouse and Green was only minimal, though there were lots of branches, of various sizes to dispose. Some of the larger branches now provide shelter for the local insects and bird life.

However, inside one of the broken branches I found this, Ciara’s Goblet!

For quite sometime I’ve wanted to reward those members who, directly or inadvertently, bring a smile to our faces.

For example, I often recall the story involving the late Mick Pointon. He once received an invite to a Surprise birthday party for one of his good friends. Mick duly rang his good friend and thanked him for his invite. His friend, of course, knew nothing of the Surprise party until then. Or the time he was playing a club competition match against David Foy. After 10 ends or so, he asked David “You are David Fox, aren’t you ?”

And who can forget John Hayes’ demolition of the Jam Jars at the last Owl Bowls night.

The Green Team is often a good source of amusement with the various tales they tell. Recently, Mel was recounting a visit to his solicitors, which are in the centre of Leicester.

“So I had to go and see my solicitors” he said “which is in the centre of town, near the Old Cathedral . . “

The question now is ‘Who knows where the New Cathedral is ?’ If anyone knows the answer, can you let Derrick Wain know.

Earlier this year, I thought I might be in line for the Goblet. To begin with I need to tell you that none of the houses at the Bull in the Oak have numbers, they are all known by a name only.

One day, during lockdown I decided our name plaque was in need of some renovation. So it took it down and set about sanding it and repainting it. The only problem was that I’d forgotten that we were due our first online grocery delivery the next day. Thankfully we didn’t go hungry as the driver eventually phoned to find out where The Old Farmhouse was.

But I need to return to the day of the storm. If you weren’t there try and picture the scene.

One large bough had split from the main trunk and had luckily fallen between the clubhouse and the Flag Pole. Though some smaller branches did end up on the Green and Clubhouse roof.

Before the tree surgeon arrived several members busied themselves sawing and lopping away at the smaller branches, trying to remove what they could.

But my lasting memory of this little montage is of Mel sat on a chair sawing away for all he was worth. The only problem was that he didn’t seem to be making much progress. It wasn’t until I looked a little closer that I saw he was only using a ‘hack saw’.

Mel, for your gallant efforts trying to thwart the devastation caused by Storm Ciara it seems only appropriate that you should be the first recipient the of Ciara’s Goblet, together with its Log Book.

We look forward to hearing some of the stories and tales that have made you smile next year.

Richard Newby

(13/11/21)