NEWSLETTERS
Click on a date below to view that date’s Newsletter
SAFEGUARDING
I f any member has any concerns about anyone involved in bowls-whether directly or indirectly- please report them as soon as possible.
The club Safeguarding Officer is Jaynes Greenacre or you can contact the Lead Safeguarding Officer at the EIBA - safeguarding@eiba.co.uk
Batchelor Party
This must be a first. Denis received an email from the organiser of a ‘batchelor party weekend’ asking if we could host a coaching session. Always up for a challenge and something new so Denis ‘volunteered’ 4 club coaches, Aaaron, Karel, Simon and Julie to put the boys thru’ their paces with different exercises, having sufficient breaks to allow time in the bar, of course.
The ‘boys’ were taking a break on the Broads and moored at Acle Bridge so they could be ready for their ‘have a go at bowls ‘event on Sat afternoon.
As you can see from the photos all enjoyed themselves
This must be a first for the sport ,and of course for Acle Indoor Bowls ,who even put on a Gin Festival as an extra treat.
Acle ‘Swifts’ Flying High
Many congratulations to our ladies Swifts team. They completed the season finishing 2nd in their league. A mix of a great team spirit throughout the side on top of some dedicated coaching from Aaron and his team
.This is a great result from what was previously known as Acle’s ‘C’ team but now ,quite aptly known as the Acle Swifts.
Colin Starkings in Barbados
Bill Downie in The Maldives
Jayne Routledge in Cyprus
Edna Land in Lanzarote
Charlie Meechan in Malaga
Barry McGrath in Cyprus
Julie & Jackie on a bridge in South of Milan. Porta Vicoinese.
Wendy in Borneo
Sue, David, Brian & Colin in the Caribbean
Alan & Sally Davies in Madeira (+ Ronaldo)
Steve & Sally Webb at Monte Mar BC, Gran Alacant
Alan & Sally in The Maldives
Wouldn’t it be great if we could show more pics like this from around the world?
Please send them in and we’ll add them to this gallery
Newsletter
24th April 2026
- National Final –sad news that Lyn, Barbara and Jenny just failed to get over the line but fantastic effort to reach a National Final.
- Lincoln - Ryan and the 2 Davids reached the Trips Final but no luck -not easy to obtain info from Fed website.
- Winter leagues – most have entered but still a few stragglers, so be advised to get a move on as we have a number of reserves waiting to get into our leagues. Do not expect Lilian to chase you.
- New Sunday League – only 4 applications so far, just need another 2 teams to guarantee it will take place. Remember it will be only played every 3 weeks and for a change of format will be played in sets. Get your entries in asap so we can schedule the dates, or cancel the idea.
- Summer Leagues – now started and the Drives will be Tuesday at 4-30 and Thursday at 10-30am. No need to book just turn up.
- Tuesday Mornings – we will try again to see if there is any interest in roll-ups on Tuesday mornings from 10-30am
Newsletter 10th June 2026
Bowls try-out- Paul Nichols would like to try a set of Evo3 c grip, if anyone has a set he could try -please contact him on 07877214830 -or wing24@hotmail.co.uk
Busy Coaches – following the success of last season ,Wensum Academy will be bringing a group of students to the club on Weds 8thJuly from 1 till 3 -let’s hope we can spot a future International.
Insurance -another success story ,this time a saving of £100 on caravan insurance ,but remember our club deal is only with Howson’s of Southend on Sea – plus ,when asking for a price quote ‘Acle Bowls’ . and if you make a good saving,remember Denis drinks Fosters nowadays.
Sponsors – Denis is running out of ideas and contacts so if you know of any firms who would be interested in working with a club of 500 plus members, let him know contact details.
Politeness – would members please remember that it is polite to walk down the centre of the rinks when changing ends., and not toengage in long conversations while doing so. We often hear the cry when reminded of this ungentlemanlypractise –“ I am walking in my rink.” -Of course you are , but do you need to be such an arse about it.
New Harriers Shirts goes International
The new Acle Harrier shirt made its North American debut yesterday at the OBA Singles tournament in Burlington Ontario.
This is the longest running bowls tournament in North American dating back to the mid 1880's.
This is a popular warm up tournament for the provincial singles championship that will be coming up in a few weeks.Erik had a great day and just fell a bit short in the final. Finishing up in second place. Here is a pic of shirt...looks awesome.
A group of players from Acle travelled out to Alicante in Spain for 10 days of sunshine and Bowls. They were playing a local team at Monte Mar Bowls Club and drew their first game 70-70.
Makes the rest of us back here in the cold and wet quite envious.
Newsletter 15th May 2026
• 1 Award – it was a great pleasure for our Manager, Denis, to present the annual ‘Service Award’ to Chris Peacher on Tuesday at the Drive.
• Chris has been a great servant to the club and happy to put his hand to any task we ask of him. He has already received the ‘Order of the Brussel Sprout’ awarded to the top performing Steward at the annual Christmas Dinner so it was no surprise that the Bowls Committee unanimously chose Chris as this year’s recipient of our most important Award, said Denis
• Denis did say a number of other things about Chris but thought it better not to put it to print - D
Our sponsors enjoyed a day out at Acle Indoor Bowls Club where they tried their hand at bowls (some for the first time)
An enjoyable day it was too hot both them and our members that were present to look after them.
The Acle men’s B team (AKA - Acle Rhinos) finished their season off with a fine 6½ - ½ win away at Lowestoft Railway and in doing so secured the League 2 title. They will now play in Div 1 alongside Acle A next season. Huge congratulations to Peter and his bunch of ‘Merry Men’. A great team effort.
International Visitors
The club was host to several International players getting in some practice before the play at the Potters World Bowls tournament.
Pictured are David (English) & Gary (New Zealander), both representing Canada and Darren (English) & Frank (Netherlands), both representing Thailand.
We wish them all the best of luck at Potters.
NEWSLETTER
1st May 2026
Winter Leagues –
Captains seem to have forgotten to enter their teams in the Village League, for the coming season but we do have one extra team entered
Novice league – this league is on Fridays and is for those relatively new to the sport . So all you new members , and those who have never entered a league before, get entering before we withdraw the league. See Lilian or Simon for further information.
National – entry forms for next seasons Nationals can be found on the EIBA website or there may be some left on tables next to the door.
New Rule – for the coming season the ‘re-spot’ rules will be introduced to all EIBA National Competitions.
Firing – a warning to all those who have a need to fire –‘do you have insurance cover should you damage any members playing with you ,or on adjoining rinks. A warning would be a wise move, and your fellow team members should be aware and ready to intervene ,should things go wrong.
Summer Roll ups – WE are now opening up on Tuesday Mornings at 10-30am and will also experiment with Thursday evenings at 6-30pm – No need to book just turn up and the duty Steward will allocate rinks or organise teams.
Newsletter
5th May 2026
• AGM – all proposals were carried -with slight amendment to bringing 8-30pm games forward in that ,it will be OK to bring matches forward from 8-30 to 4-40 but cannot be booked before 4 days before the actual match ,in case members wish to book the 4-30 for roll ups.
• Andy Flynn was voted in as Men’s C Team Captain
• AGM next year will be one week later .
• Heating to be adjusted so that still warm at 10-30pm
• Roll ups – Reminder that you canhave roll ups on Tuesday Mornings and Thursday evenings –this summer - no need to book just turn up.
• Sunday Evening Winter league – we still have vacancies ( Open Pairs )but it will now definitelytake place ,as we haveenough entries.
• Pennants -ourthanks to Harry Skippen for providing us with a new supply of Pennant Frames -now up to members to fill them with Pennants.
• New Members – to accommodate a possible increase in membership next season the Committee will be looking at introducing a NEW LEAGUE on Monday afternoons at 2-30 on 4 rinks. Probably Open Pairs. Tell your friends, and see Lilian and/or Simon to put your names on a list.
Acle Ladies Dominate in the Atherley National for Norfolk
All of these Acle members were part of the successful Norfolk Team in the National Final of the Atherley. A great advert for our club and of course Norfolk. Well done all
Photo shows the triumphant Acle U30s team with their opponents Beccles. This was a home and away fixture with the total combined scores of both events deciding the winner.
Our thanks to Barney who had the idea of an annual event of this kind to help build a successful U30s unit at Acle, capable of moving forward and challenging for the National Title which the club won many years ago.
NEWSLETTER
8th May 2026
Members to action.
Howden Insurance -Howden Insurance of Clacton on Sea have kindly agreed to give our members special rates for House and Car Insurance -please contact them and quote ‘Acle Bowls ‘ for the best offer. Contact details 01702 225400
Thorpe Travel – have agreed a similar deal for our members so please contact Rachel Jackson on 01603 700800 or call into their Offices at 203, Plumstead Road, Thorpe St. Andrew. Have a look at the brochures around the club.
Use the above or loose the deals and the sponsorship that the club have worked hard to obtain.
Workload
For those of you new to bowls and wondering what is involved in the admin at Acle club I jotted down a few things I have been doing in the last 2 days –
• Inform Captains of their new county league schedules
• Chat with same captains to clarify a few points.
• Recruit new players.
• Send out Partnership ( Sponsors) letters to 5 Companies and invite to club.
• Look over format of new Aussie league.
• Complete EIBA voting sheets
• Complete 2 Newsletters
• Look at possible new league formation
• AGM work
• Bank Rink Fees
• Meet Rec Centre Admin
• Chat with Rec Centre Chair.
• Double check Club and Member Insurance cover
• Start to collate new kit sizes for 50 .
• Reply to emails at home and at club
• Safeguarding details for web
• As above with EIBA HQ
• Check coaching money available and use.
• Club Rule amendments
Acle Shirts make their North American Debut
Proud to say that acle indoor shirt made there outdoor pairs debut yesterday in Kitchener.
They played in the Bill Bottiger Memorial Tournament. It is a very popular event in honour of Canada's most decorated players. The shirts went 3-0 and just fell short in the points accumulated for the day and finished a respectable third place.
The shirts were very well like by all and got some good attention.
The Simon Ollie Charity Shield 2025
Took place at the Acle Indoor bowling club on Sunday 21st September
Winners Tim stone Harry stone and Rob Parker
Runners up G. Ball A. Lee C. Wright
A very successful day with £1038.00 raised for the local charity Nelsons Journey
Big thanks to Ken and mel for donating the prize money
£500 was raised on the raffle thanks to local
Business donating prizes .
Gorleston pavilion, Gt yarmouth races, Norfolk museums, Basecamp, Hirst farm shop and cafe, Broadland sports club, Potters holidays, Great Yarmouth pleasure Beach
Farmfoods, Cantly cock, Caldicot hall, Aldfeds estate agents, Marina centre, Tesco caister, Claire Vout, Richard church, Stephen Smith, Jane Wymer whisky for spider , Gwyn
Donations
M. Hodgson £100. A piggot £25, G.ball £20
Thanks to all who made this such a successful day Dennis Simon Mel Linda Edna Ken jane Claire vout plus everyone who took part and supported Us
Barney and ken
