It was a case of ‘slap on’ the sun screen, ‘dig out’ your shorts and blow the dust off your ‘shades’ at the Lancaster Group qualifying round of this year’s West Lancashire Masonic Charity Bowling Tournament. The sun shone unceasingly throughout the afternoon as temperatures rose to the dizzy heights of 25C (that’s 77F in old money.) The competition was held at Bare Village Club, Morecambe and steady supplies of cooling beverages from the bar staff were much in demand.
Norman Mitchell (left) and David Christopherson (right) perform a version of ‘Measure for Measure’ to the delight of Gordon Hurst (rear, right) and the consternation of Tommy Hunter (rear, left)
Not only were the competitors ‘feeling the heat’ but friends and family had turned out in pleasing numbers to enjoy that rarest of treats; a warm and pleasant summer afternoon! The success of the day was assured due to the hard work undertaken by the group bowling representative Malcolm Cambidge with assistance from Bill Stables. The raffle, in aid of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and other worthy causes supported by the Bowling Tournament, raised the very respectable sum of £100.
In some tightly contested matches, it soon became evident that no one was going to find this year’s competition a ’walk over’. The eventual winner, for the second successive year was Norman Mitchell of Morecambe Lodge No 1561 who held his nerve in a keenly fought final against George Fox of Vale Lodge No 5256. Winner of the losing semi-finalist’s prize was Frank Senior of Warton Lodge No 8411. The winner of the ‘Masters’ Trophy’ which is a competition only open to masters of lodges who are ‘in office’, was Nick Baxter of Morecambe Lodge No 1561 who determinedly saw off all challengers to take the title.
The prizes were awarded by group chairman Jim Wilson who thanked everyone for attending and supporting the event. He thanked especially the organisers for their work in ensuring the success of the day. He concluded by wishing the winner and runner up the best of luck in the tournament finals that were taking place at The Tetley Club, Warrington later in the summer.
Receiving their prizes from Jim Wilson, in the pictures from left to right, are; Nick Baxter, Norman Mitchell and George Fox.