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Travels with Parwich Crown Green Bowling Club take us to a plethora of entrancing venues throughout the Derbyshire countryside, but few to the aristocratic settings of England’s finest old stately homes. Such was the case, though, on Tuesday as we arrived at Chatsworth amid the sweeping vista of the magnificent building itself across the Derwent, to the tight little bowling green idyllically set betwixt the splendid estate office building and he church spire. Inspection of the team sheet revealed that the Duke of Devonshire himself was not playing that evening, evidently either not being a member or else simply too much in awe of this successful Parwich side.
Personally I found it one of the trickier greens on the circuit; compact, perplexing and with one corner at least possessing a mind of its own. Nevertheless, we set about the task nobly (would there be any other way here?) and our strivings began to pay off as we took the upper hand by the half way mark, fighting from behind in most of the games to take the match by a 73-60 margin on a night of strong sunshine and intense heat needing punctuation by several on-green drinks breaks.
Then back to the Thursday competition and we were on the road again to a strong Matlock Park side to try to strengthen our position as league leaders. The match had been put back two and a half hours to try and avoid playing in the heat of the day, something about mad dogs, Englishmen and bowlers, etc. After playing the singles games we edged into a slim lead which the Team pulled out all stops to hang on to during the doubles; not one player giving an inch, though home advantage was to win through on this occasion after two games going down to the final point, and we finished having to yield to the narrowest of margins, losing 131 to 126.
How did Bradwell get on? – was the burning question. Well the upshot was that the result means we slip to second in the table, but only under the secondary sorting criteria of points against, as league points alone mean that we are level. Reflecting on the evening in a hostelry on the way home, after an excellent steak and kidney pudding and pint of local ale, the World of bowls didn’t seem too bad, and the chance to put things right at home to Baslow next week will, I’m sure, bolster the Team to strain every last sinew to reclaim the position we feel rightfully ours. Come on Parwich, we can do this!   Mark J…

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Had that a casual stranger have been walking down the footpath past Parson’s Croft last Tuesday, had that man not encountered crown green bowling on his travels to date, and had that traveller have stopped to investigate the tense excitement going on within, it is likely he would have been hooked to an extent that he may have recounted the story many times in years to come. For on that greensward at the time was unfolding the first of two epic encounters against our friends from Bradwell. Not just any old game of bowls though, as both teams strived and clamoured and contested, giving their all for the honours in this one. But on a long night in which some of the games went down to the final point, it was Parwich who eventually celebrated another maximum 84 point win to Bradwell’s 49. What a night, and a privilege to have been part of it.
Though the outcome in essence was to provide a curtain raiser to the match on Thursday, where we entered the arena needing a minimum 22 point win over the league leaders in order to reclaim the top spot we’d been deposed from the week before.
Some of the Team had met on Wednesday evening for the Chinese food evening at the British Legion, and used the occasion as a morale-boosting and bonding session for what we saw as a must-win game. On the day it was evident Bradwell saw it much the same way as they turned up fired to avenge the result two days previously. So begun the series of battles in which no player would give way. Parwich, though, were magnificent to a man (and woman) and even, it has to be said, zealous use of law technicalities – 3 times in the case of one game – didn’t rattle us, and Parwich won the right to celebrate a 134 to 105 victory to go back to the top spot by a mere 7 point margin.
Next week sees us twice on the road, with visits to Chatsworth on Tuesday and Matlock Park on Thursday. I’m looking forward to them. Keep it going Parwich!   Mark J…

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Well they’re all saying It’s Coming Home. Football’s coming home, bowls is coming home… we’re all daring to dream. Last Tuesday by careful manipulation and understanding by our skipper I managed to time my own game in order to see England beat Germany – and so it was a pair of very fired-up Joneses who went on late to play our part in a fine Team performance to defeat Bakewell at home by 10 points – but the stage had been well set by those who went before us. Tuesday League performances very much looking up of late.
On the Thursday however…..a set back. The odd number of teams in the league means that one club has to sit it out each week and this time it was our turn. Teams with a match in hand won and for the first time in a couple of months we lost our top spot. Here’s hoping to bring you all news of normal service being resumed as soon as possible.
On to this week’s encounters: with England safely through to the Euro semi-final the Parwich band travelled to Darley Dale’s Whitworth Park. What a match this was, swinging one way and then the other – then back again – end to end stuff with no pun intended… Gave it all we had on a long night until the light was fading, but ended up on the wrong side of a SINGLE POINT defeat (68-67). Noticeable though as the first time when both teams were sat mingled together whilst waiting to play, so progress being evident in our quest to get social life moving again. What a pleasant bunch they were as well.
Thursday morning dawned. England as per normal had given us a nail-biting night but have made the Final, and Parwich faced a must-win match on a very difficult but magnificently manicured green away at Wirksworth. Well what a performance we all put on, coming away all smiles with a 139 to 100 victory to maintain second position but poised to fight for the top spot again.
So, a week in prospect. Is football coming home? Can Parwich overcome (temporary) league leaders Bradwell on Thursday? I, for one, hope our wishes all come true.  Mark J…

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Another great week for your illustrious Parwich bowling team as they record a further two victories across the leagues.
Tuesday evening at Bakewell produced a truly remarkable result as Parwich finished just one point away from a maximum 84 points * (* maximum for Tuesday league format only, Thursdays are max 153.) Two of the games were won by just one point, one lost by a mere point, plus one crushing victory gave us a score of 83-63. A good evening’s work indeed on Bakewell’s somewhat eccentric green.
On Thursday afternoon we entertained mid-table Matlock Bath and enjoyed a momentous tight battle which swung one way and then the other. After being down after the doubles rounds we triumphed across the singles to finally record a scoreline of 126 to 116 and further advance our position of league leaders. That there’s a good team spirit within our small club at present is undeniable; each member can have a sense of great satisfaction at the way we’re playing.
Tuesday sees us play Bakewell again, this time in the home fixture. It’ll take place at the same time as the England v Germany match so those that would have liked to won’t get to see it – but I’m sure there’ll be as many twists, turns and excitement at Parson’s Croft as there will be at Wembley… and with a good old cup of char to boot!

Mark J…

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A “stonking” good win is about the only way to describe Tuesday night’s home bowls fixture against Youlgreave. Results on Tuesdays have been patchy, to say the least, but all came together on this occasion as Parwich stormed to an impressive 81-48 victory. A maximum 84 score from the four games was only narrowly missed on the final game though Dawn and Fran kept us excited with a fighting performance, the scores neck and neck swinging one way then the other, until well after 8 o’clock. The winning wood from Carol of Youlgreave brought rapturous applause from both teams.
On Thursday our form continued. We were back on the road at Matlock Golf Club, the only team that look reasonably capable of catching us as league leaders – therefore a must-win match for both sides. Well it was tight, but Parwich were able to travel home feeling pretty pleased with ourselves after battling to a 123 to 110 win. A bit early to taste the champagne from the Championship trophy just jet but we can start to dream if we keep it up. Stylish celebrations for at least some of us included fish and chips and a pint on the way home!  
Next week sees the team travel to Bakewell on Tuesday and then play host to Matlock Bath on Thursday afternoon. Unequivocally more entertainment there than the Nation saw from Mr Southgate’s men last night…..

Mark J…

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..In other words, Tuesday’s match was officially to be played away against Hope Works, owing to their green not being available however the match was played in Parwich. Although deemed as underdogs here we got stuck in thinking we could pull it off. A rattling good encounter, though, saw us eventually beaten by the narrow margin of 73-65. I did note, incidentally, that although the official away side it was Parwich folk that made all the tea. Which brings me on to say that if anyone heard an ear-splitting crash on Tuesday around 7-30 it was only yours truly dropping a wood on the pyrex tea tray and showering the entire pavilion with tiny cubes of glass. Could have happened to anyone….
In the Thursday league we were back at Parson’s Croft where the situation had a rather different outcome; a rampant Parwich side further extending their lead at the top of the table with a 145-95 victory over Youlgreave. We must have played well as a unit as I understand Youlgreave to have some particularly experienced bowlers among their ranks, so it was certainly a result to celebrate. By a quirk of fate from the fixtures organisers the same opponents will be our visitors again this coming week when we entertain them in the Tuesday League. Vociferous support will always be appreciated. Mark J…

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Only one match this week as Parwich Bowling Club had a bye on Tuesday evening, giving us all a chance to watch Yes Minister and an opportunity to see what really goes on behind the corridors of power….
Thus it was a refreshed and rested team that set off for Bakewell on Thursday afternoon. There’s no doubting that Baedeca’s Wella (as originally known) is a lovely old historical town, however best not visited during half-term following a bank holiday Monday; the place was heaving with holidaymakers and finding a parking space took a considerable chunk out of our day.
A rattling good contest it was though when the match got under way. Bakewell’s somewhat eccentric green, tucked away in an attractive setting behind carefully tended gardens and between architectural gems, is not so much of a smooth crown in its topology but more resembling of a scale model of the Dark Peak. Woods in pursuit of the jack are apt to come off Kinder and be diverted along the Snake Pass! But it was great fun, it was a fine place to play nonetheless and, surrounded by benches full of enthralled tourists resting after their lunchtime tarts and puddings, we bowled well as a unit. After several close pairings that swung one way then another Parwich were eventually narrowly beaten by 136 to 119, but, according to the published League table on Friday, retain our top position.
The coming week sees us scheduled to play at home twice, Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon. Let’s keep it going Parwich! 

Mark J

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After the first month and a half of the season being played out in rain, hail, sleet, fog and blizzards, I realised yesterday that crown green bowls can be just as enjoyable when played as a summer sport. On a balmy sunny afternoon at Parson’s Croft yesterday the Parwich team; a finely honed and well-oiled machine of a group if there ever was one, extended their hold on the top of the Matlock Thursday League with a thumping 148 to 94 win over Whitworth Park. There were some close encounters though, with spirited fightbacks offered by the visitors in many of the games before our own cavaliers refused to give up the cause and battle to the ultimate victory. Dot and Sue, and Fran and Penny indeed are worthy of mentions here for shining though in their doubles encounters, and I believe we then triumphed in all of the singles games. Fair play indeed to Whitworth for a great and enjoyable match.
This, though, was not the case in the Tuesday League when only two evenings before our travelling band had to admit we were definitively beaten on Wirksworth’s huge and tricky green. Home advantage and a team of very experienced bowlers told as we eventually went down by around 20 points. All of our players certainly gave it all they had and it’s worthy of mention that we won a couple of the games quite convincingly, but I have to say that Wirksworth’s knowledge and class told in the end. 
The overriding factor though is; what smashing people we have met both on our travels and welcomed to our home ground. It’s been a pleasure to have shared some of these people’s time and to have competed in a friendly but determined manner against them. It’s what sport’s about! Mark J…

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A look at the League Table this morning revealed that Parwich have taken top spot following our impressive 146 to 88 victory at home to Chatsworth yesterday. The match in fact had looked a bit dodgy just an hour or two before start time as the rain teemed down, but it dried up quite considerably to allow us all to commence, We fought well from start to finish, from Dawn and Penny taking the first doubles scalp, to Keith and Tony being victorious in the final singles games some three hours later on a freezing cold afternoon. Thanks to Edith and Dot for keeping everyone’s central heating going with steaming mugs of Rosie Lea (mine looked like crude oil – just how I like it!) What a nice bunch of people the opposition were as well.
Fortunes had been a little different on Tuesday night though at Matlock Park where we came up against a well-honed outfit who richly deserved their crushing win over our endeavoured battalion. Most certainly not for the want of trying, but have to hand it to the home team on this occasion. How good though to be able to sit inside a fish and chip shop on the way to the match and rediscover just a little of the pleasures we’ve had to live without for so long.
Next week’s matches see us on the road again to Wirksworth Tuesday and then Whitworth at home Thursday afternoon. Come on Parwich, keep it up!

Signed off as a very proud Mark J…

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A reorganisation of fixtures in the Tuesday League meant that our planned home clash against Youlgrave was postponed; maybe fortuitous given that Derbyshire was battered by a spectacular storm firing cannonballs of ice down just as the match would have been in progress. Therefore….
….it was a rested Parwich team that travelled to Baslow on Thursday afternoon. It was in fact a pair of ducks that formed “the crowd” and seemed to befriend our players – particularly Penny, after whom they waddled from end to end hardly being able to contain their egg-citement. I formed the impression that we arrived as underdogs and the home side certainly looked formidable in the warm-up, all resplendent in their club colours of red and grey, but we started in fine fettle and, after a short interlude where the light from above was switched off and the heavens let us have it for a few minutes, we finished the first doubles round 10 points up! Inspirational captaincy by John Henbury rallied us to keep going, and our band of two supporters flew in to quack us home, Parwich taking all the singles games to romp to an impressive 140 to 91 away victory and with that go third in the table. (Put our fans’ drinks on my “bill”…)
Thus the Team will be available to sign autograph books either in The Sycamore or The Legion over the coming days… Now we need to keep that momentum going over the following week.

Mark J

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Last Thursday (29 April) we travelled to Bradwell for the season’s first away match. On their “interesting” green which twists and turns and rises and falls every which way – and with the North wind howling down the Hope Valley – the Parwich Team battled bravely to a 120-109 defeat; a scoreline that in practice did little to flatter our efforts. The home side were a hospitable lot though, and welcoming mugs of hot, steaming tea were gratefully received to warm the hands after or respective contributions. Such a beautiful setting, I for one will look forward to our return there in the Tuesday League fixture later this summer. (Bet it’s even better on a balmy evening.)
However, if Bradwell was cold, this week’s home clash against Matlock Park began with hailstones the size of golf balls battering the two teams as they took the field – any repeat of this could result in Parson’s Croft being renamed The Winter Gardens! Soon after starting though the sun shone on the righteous and, in a match that was nip and tuck from start to finish, it took a recount to confirm that Parwich were to emerge as narrow 126-120 victors. Both entire teams should take a bow for an exciting afternoon throughout.
Great to see a couple of new faces at the practice session last Sunday afternoon and hope that this may continue this week. The next 7 days sees us take on Youlgreave on Tuesday evening and then on the road again to Baslow on Thursday; I’m sure we’ll all do our best to make the you the reader proud at the next report.

Mark J

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The start of the new season of Thursday and Tuesday league matches has brought varying results for Parwich. The curtain-raiser at home to Wirksworth, played on a warm and sunny afternoon, certainly brought a valliant effort, but despite winning more games we were narrowly pipped to a loss by a mere 3 points, the final score being 127-130. A close encounter throughout indeed.
However Tuesday Captain Dawn Alsopp rallied her troops for Tuesday evening and her intrepid men and ladies replied with an impressive 80 to 47 win over Bradwell. Under the swirling dark clouds that threatened much but in the end delivered only a sprinkle the Team rose to the occasion. Only the plummeting evening temperature had a say and the evening finished with Sue Ash doing an impression of Ernest Shackleton as he set out to conquer the Antarctic.
It’s all great fun, and the Team will welcome new members, so why not turn up to one of the Sunday open sessions and have a go – all equipment can be provided. It is fervently hoped that in the coming months we will be able to acknowledge our opponents with the customary warm handshakes and the offer of a pint at the conclusion of hostilities.

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, 4TH MARCH, 2PM

IN THE CLUBHOUSE AT PARSON’S CROFT.

Anyone interested in playing bowls is welcome to attend.

If you are unable to attend but are interested in playing, please contact Tony on 724 oregertonashes@gmail.com

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, 4TH MARCH, 2PM

IN THE CLUBHOUSE AT PARSON’S CROFT.

Anyone interested in playing bowls is welcome to attend.

If you are unable to attend but are interested in playing, please contact Tony on 724 oregertonashes@gmail.com

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, 4TH MARCH, 2PM

IN THE CLUBHOUSE AT PARSON’S CROFT.

Anyone interested in playing bowls is welcome to attend.

If you are unable to attend but are interested in playing, please contact Tony on 724 or egertonashes@gmail.com

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Mixed fortunes on the green this week. We played our last game on a Tuesday evening at home against Matlock Bath who were keen to win in order to gain promotion to Division 1. We always have a lovely, sociable evening with them so we felt somewhat guilty when we beat them easily by 78 points to 52. However, on seeing the results the following morning for the rest of the League we were pleased to see that they were still promoted. We finished a creditable 5^th in this League.

Thursday afternoon saw us playing away at Youlgrave – you may well recall that a previous writer

of these notes was convinced that there is an elephant buried under this green! Well, I can confirm that it is still there and working very much in the home team’s favour! – or maybe they just have a very good team who are top of the Division whilst we are bottom. Suffice to say we had our greatest defeat this year losing 74-153. Only 1 more game this season next Thursday at home to Hathersage.

HELP NEEDED!!!

During October we are having an end of season maintenance day (cutting hedges, painting sheds, scarifying the green etc.). We would much appreciate a few hours of help with these tasks. If you are willing to assist, please let us know via the comment on the Blog or telephone 724. Many thanks.

The date will be advised later.

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Now usually when we play Matlock Golf Club, we struggle to play well on their large green which is always closely cut, and conversely, they find our small, slower green quite difficult. This year we lost comprehensively on their green and were hoping for better things on their visit to us on Tuesday evening. We did improve but still lost 63-69. The match break-down was in fact 2 games each but sadly our 2 losing pairs scored less than their 2 losers.

Thursday afternoon we entertained league leaders, Wirksworth; we are of course propping up the bottom of the league so we were not expecting any favours and indeed that was the case! We lost all 3 doubles games but won 5 of the 6 singles, eventually losing the match 111-128. Quite a good result considering our relative league positions.

Next year, given that we are still playing, we should find the 2^nd division teams are of a similar ability to ourselves. Unless, of course, any new members (THERE MUST BE SOME OUT THERE) can help us improve.

This Sunday we have a friendly against Ellastone at 2pm. Everyone is welcome.

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The good, the bad and the ugly!

The good bit about this week’s efforts down on the bowling green was a home win against Bradwell 64-59. Although the match finished 2 games each Parwich had the better scores, Rick and Edith having the best result coming in at 21-8, Tony and Sue not far behind at 21-9.

The bad result came on our visit to Hope Works where we lost 114-121, and this was against their B team! We play their A team in 2 weeks time. However, Fran and Clare had a magnificent win 21-20 being behind throughtout the game until the 23^rd and final end. Harry also played particularly well winning 15-1.

The ugly reference concerns one of our other pairs who lost 21-4 (their opponents did play particularly well) but their names have been withheld to protect the not so innocent!

This Sunday we will be having a little competition amongst ourselves down at Parson’s Croft. Spectators and potential new members are welcome.

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Two lovely games of bowls this week, both at home on the Parson’s Croft green. The weather was perfect and the bowls almost as good.
We started off on Tuesday evening with a convincing win over Whitworth Park: well 3 of our pairs were worthy of that plaudit, the less said about Fran and Tony’s effort the better! Harry and Sue played brilliantly to win 21-3, final result being 72-52 in favour of Parwich.

Now we always say that every point counts when playing bowls and that was certainly true on Thursday afternoon. Unfortunately, we were the team that needed that elusive extra point to at least tie the match as we lost to Chatsworth 108-109. It was a really close contest played with a lot of banter between the teams, an enjoyable afternoon was had by all. Liz and John were in a hurry as they had to be in Derby by late afternoon so they dispatched their opponents 21-2. I blame Tony for providing Chatsworth with the win as he allowed his opponent to score a point. A win of 15-1 was just not good enough, Tony! Harry and Edith also had good close wins and even though we won 5 games out of 9 we still lost the match.

This Sunday at 2pm we have a friendly at home against Hazlewood. Everyone is welcome to spectate or take part.

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Two games at home this week played in glorious weather on a green, which for me, is in the best condition for many a year, thanks to John’s hard work over the winter months. Compliments were flying from both visiting teams.

On Tuesday evening it was Ashwood Park’s turn to play at Parwich and we certainly made the most of the conditions. Our first 2 pairs decided to live dangerously, never being in front until the last end in each game. Now that’s the way to demoralise the opposition! We won both games 21-19 and 2 disappointed pairs from Buxton had to accept snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The other 2 games both went our way but with much less nail-biting, 21-13 and 21-8. The match was therefore ours 84-59. Ashford Park players, however, are true sportsmen, the game having been played in the most friendly atmosphere.

Thursday afternoon saw Matlock Golf Club visit Parwich. They are fellow strugglers at the bottom of the division so there was all to play for. As with our habit we lost the doubles games to a score of 36-62 although Edith and Clare were winners in their game 21-20, a really close one! In the singles, however, we played almost at our best, winning 5 out of 6 games, noteably Fran and Tony both winning 15-3. Final score 122- 110 in favour of Parwich.

Next week we visit Youlgrave (you may remember that is the green with the very large hump) and Whitworth Park. I always like going to the latter because there is a great cafe next to the green so even if we don’t win we may come back a few pounds heavier!

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Tuesday 23rd April – Home to Youlgreave B

This was a great match for us. All four pairs won and we ended up 84 points to 54. Wendy made her debut in the Tuesday league and got a win with Dawn. Fran and Dot and Rick and Edith also had good wins and our star players were Keith and Harry with a 21-5 score. Youlgreave will no doubt have their revenge in the return match in July when we will be playing on their ‘interesting’ green.

Thursday 25th April – Home to Whitworth B

It was a different story today, but we did our best between sunshine and heavy showers. The combination of being in a higher league and hampered by a smaller pool of players didn’t help, but enough excuses – we lost! 102 points to 125. We had 2 winning games in the 3 doubles games and 3 wins in the 6 singles games, however the scores in the losing games weren’t enough to bring our overall score much higher.

We enjoy the competitiveness and rivalry of the league matches whether we win or lose, but bowling isn’t only about that. Playing fun and friendly games with friends and family in the beautiful Easter sunshine was a delight at the weekend and it would be sad if this amenity was lost to the village.

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