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Our green is situated in Clockhouse Gardens, St Marys Lane, Upminster, close to Waitrose, in delightful surroundings. We play in competitive leagues for both men and ladies. There are also friendly matches with other local Clubs and, if you so wish, just some social bowling. We are a friendly social Club and run several social events throughout the year. 
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Sunday 29th September - Sponsor's Day
The final event of the season saw the dampened green. but not the enthusiasm, being put to it's full capacity with the Club Sponsors as guests. Our sponsor's Maa Eyecare were unable to attend, however representatives of Mulley, Gates Parish and MCosteopathy were present for an hour of tuition before embarking on a friendly Triples game with members. The afternoon was rounded off with a "Spider" competition, without the spider, won by Joy Hoggart from Gates Parish, followed by Tea and Cakes in the Clubhouse. 
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Thursday 26th September - Poppy Challenge
Amazing that we managed to get the Poppy Challenge match against the Royal British Legion completed between the rain showers, with 48 players on 6 rinks, every shot counted. The confidence being bounded about that the British Legion were going to take back the Trophy looked very probable until late in the match when a rarity occurred, one Clock House rink managed an 8 point "Hotshot". This certainly spurred the rest of the Clock House rinks and pulled the match back for a 10 shot victory, 91-81 shots, to retain the Trophy for yet another year. The match was followed by a very welcome buffet and refreshments at Clock House with afters enjoyed by over 20 members at the British Legion, in all a very social occasion.
Amazing that we managed to get the Poppy Challenge match against the Royal British Legion completed between the rain showers, with 48 players on 6 rinks, every shot counted. The confidence being bounded about that the British Legion were going to take back the Trophy looked very probable until late in the match when a rarity occurred, one Clock House rink managed an 8 point "Hotshot". This certainly spurred the rest of the Clock House rinks and pulled the match back for a 10 shot victory, 91-81 shots, to retain the Trophy for yet another year. The match was followed by a very welcome buffet and refreshments at Clock House with afters enjoyed by over 20 members at the British Legion, in all a very social occasion.
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Rob Crabb, Captain for the day accepted the Poppy Challenge Trophy
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Sunday 22nd September - President's Day
Around 46 members took part in the Presidents v Captains fixture on Sunday afternoon with rain showers threatening to curtail the event, but the full 18 ends, played on a 6 end rotation, were completed before the rain intervened. The final score was 101 shots to 68 in favour of the President, Mike Long. Play was followed by late afternoon tea, but mostly wine, with sandwiches and scones. Members were treated to "Magic Mike's" card trick, and for those that missed the treat, the video can be requested. Later on there was an attempt at "Heavyweight Levitation" by the Ladies and some "Clairvoyance" from Danny. Don't ask! |
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Thursday 19th September - Clock House Trophy Gala Day
Thanks to Brentwood, Gidea Park, Harold Hill, Rainham, Upminster. A total of £259 was raised for Essex Air Ambulance at the Gala day held at Clock House. Thanks must also go to Brian Samuels, sole organiser of the day. A wonderful sunny day, with 11 teams taking part in an atmosphere of fun, social, competitive bowling, as it should be. Followed by a buffet after the event. The event consisted of 4 rounds of 6 ends with home advantage favouring the Clock House ‘A’ team winning all 4 matches with Upminster ‘A’ coming second winning 3 and drawing 1 of their matches. Barry Watkins, Danny Delaney, Steve Legge and Robb Crabb took the honours for Clock House. |
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Wednesday 18th September - GPL Gala Day
Around 60 players turned out for a 9.30am start, too early for some, at Gidea Park Club for the GPL Triples Gala Day supporting Prostate Cancer. Teams of Triples were selected from a random draw, each playing 3 games of 7 ends with 2 group winners in a play-off final. 6 members from Clock House attended with Alan Manley being a finalist but his Triple lost by 1 shot. On the day £1500 was raised for Prostate Cancer UK. 
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Sunday 8th September - Ladies 2 Wood Day
19 Ladies turned up on Sunday to participate in Ladies 2 Wood day. Play was from 10-5 with a few unscheduled stoppages due heavy downpours throughout. Jane Preston and Margaret Tinton were the last two standing with Margaret claiming the crown 14 shots to 11. |
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29th August - Work Party on Club Grounds
Does anybody remember seeing this email circulation:
"The Rink will be closed for a day on Thursday the 29th August and I call upon ALL members to come along for a couple of hours any time from 9am -3pm and give us a hand to make Clockhouse Bowls Club look clean and Tidy" By the response, obviously not many, so you probably wouldn't have seen the Secretary's follow up: "It was very disappointing to see only 12 people here today to clean up for our finals weekend. Thank you to the following members and all your hard work. Well done. We achieved plenty. Mike Long, Brian Samuels, Gary Robinson, Val and Chris Baker, Patricia Heather, Peter Beasley, Danny Delaney, Barry Churchyard, Roger and Jan Tallentire. 
A Work Party of usual suspects represents just 10% turnout of members.
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I intend to be at the club again on Wednesday morning 4th Sept from 8am till Noon to continue to dig and clear the gardens and invite you all once again to join me. Please, please , if you have a spare couple of hours, give us a hand. 
At least there was a 50% improvement in attendance figures for this morning gardening session and more of much needed work was accomplished. Thanks to all.
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New Clock House Strip Launched
Following the launch of the new sponsored Club strip by MC Osteopathy for the Ladies in May, a majority decision was made by the Men to follow suit. The Men's strip, sponsored by Maa Eyecare has been launched over the last few weeks and will be worn for all Club representative matches. The Club would like to thank both sponsors for their donations. Mike Long presented Yogi of Maa Eyecare with a Club shirt, which will be framed and exhibited at his shop at 121 Avon Road in Cranham and we would certainly recommend our sponsors services to members. The Club strip is produced by ZAPKAM. Links to all websites from logos below.
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The Fours, Hayley, Michelle C, Michelle S & Rebecca got through to the last 16 round where they lost 12-20 to the home team of Leamington, after a 19-11 win over Derby West End in the Prelim and a 21-6 win over Broadway, Worcestershire in the last 32.
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Leamington Nationals 2024
Just a summary of our Ladies achievements at the National Finals 2024. The Triples, Hayley, Michelle C & Rebecca went out in the Prelim round 8-23 to Sutton, Surrey. Jane Preston and partner Jamie Holmes (Kings Chase) made it through to the Mixed Pairs Semi-Final with a 16-7 win over Buckinghamshire but went out 14-21 to Hertfordshire pair Rhianna Russell & Glenn Williams. |
The Senior Fours, Jane, Debbie, Michelle S & Janice got through to the last 32 where they lost to North London 9-22 after a Prelim win 13-12 over New Lount, Leicestershire.
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Tuesday 27th August - Orsett Mixed Open
An exciting finale at the Orsett Mixed Open, both Clock House and Thurrock winning all their matches with 47 points and each with 23 shots difference. Winners decided by shots scored giving the edge to Clock House 43 to 35. The team of Angela Ueckermann, Jan Tallentire, Geoff Carvosso and Roger Tallentire scooped the booty of £160. |
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Sunday 11th August
Members from Clock House were invited to play at South Benfleet’s Gala Day on Sunday 11th August. 10 members took part as part of the 96 players braving the heat with teams consisting of mixed South Benfleet players and visitors. |
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Another Hot Shot
Another Hot Shot for a Clock House team. This one occurred in the 3rd round of the Albert Crabb County Competition on Thursday 20th June at Elm Park. |
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Saturday 10th August - Unfinished County Finals
The Ladies faced Frinton B.C. in the final of the Albert Crabb Double Rink competition at the weekends County Unfinished Finals held at Braintree B.C. looking for the team event double to go with the County Top Club title they had won 2 weeks earlier. The competition allows a maximum two County players to play in each rink. Each of the teams struggled to adapt to the green initially and it looked as though a close contest would ensue. The team of Val Baker, Jan Tallentire, Jane Preston and Janice Fortune gained a 7-4 lead after 7 ends and went on to take the game by 18-10 shots. The team of Hazel Pudney, Angela Ueckermann, Michelle Squires and Rebecca Smith were 6-6 after 7 ends but had a purple patch to lead 20-8 after 14 ends, finally winning 21-11, a more comfortable 2-0, 39-21 shots win than initially expected. |
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Saturday 4th August - Ron Errington
And then we had 27. A warm sunny Saturday afternoon with 8 teams taking part consisting of 4 full rinks and 3 teams of triples. Triples teams bowled 8 woods between them with no shot reduction. 4 Teams finished on 6 points. With all riding on the last round of matches. Overall winners with a shot difference of 21, were Jan Manley, Les Spicer, Barry Watkins |
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Ladies County Badge Presentation
On Tuesday 16th July, Debbie Walmsley was presented with her County badge by County President Wendy Buckingham following the County match between Essex and Middlesex held at Buckhurst Hill Bowling Club and attended by County players, Committees and guests. 
Clock House Ladies Dominate County Semi-Finals
Following the success of the Ladies in their National Top Club campaign against Harlow by a score of 3-1 at Wanstead Central on Sunday 7th July, hopes were high for the County Top Club Semi-Final against Great Baddow on Saturday 13th July. On the neutral green at Stock & Buttsbury, the squad of 12 were back to full strength, with Hayley Kenny taking the Singles 21-12, the pairing of Angela Ueckermann and Rebecca Smith had an impressive 32-3 win with the Triples, Jane Preston, Debbie Walmsley and Janice Fortune winning 20-8. The Fours of Val Baker, Jan Tallentire, Michelle Carlin and Michelle Squires went down 9-18. So a 3-1 win with overall points of 82-41 send Clock House through to the County Final where they face Dunmow. |
The weekend was not over for the Ladies as the County Championship Semi-Finals of Triples, Fours and Senior Fours were held at Tiptree on Sunday 14th July and with a Clock House representation in all events, hopes were high. The morning session saw the Fours of Kenny, Carlin, Squires and Smith open the account with an impressive 24-4 win over Wanstead Central. The afternoon session was a similar story with Preston, Walmsley, Squires and Fortune beating Rochford 18-6 in the Senior Fours and finally Kenny, Carlin and Smith winning 19-11 in the Triples against Holland on Sea to complete the hat-trick. County Finals days on Saturday 27th at Falcon B.C. and Sunday 28th now turns out to be one of the busiest that Clock House has probably ever encountered, with representation in Finals of Triples, Fours, Senior Fours, Top Club and also with Preston in the Semi-Finals of the 2 Wood Singles, its going to be a long weekend. 
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Unlikely "Old Codgers" Join the Hot Shots Club
On 18th June in a Gidea Park Triples League match at Haynes Park at 4-5 down after 5 ends, the score was turned around on the 6th end by the Triples team of Dennis Mills, John Evans and Bob Pudney scoring a maximum 9 shots. The final score of this match was a Clock House win by 9 shots. I understand that in his many years of bowling this was only one of several Hot Shots that Dennis has gained. If anyone wishes to know more about these achievements just ask him as I haven't got space in this article to embellish upon them. 
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Sunday 14th July - Alvera Plate
Some quick adjustment to teams owing to late withdrawals for the Alvera plate was eventually supported by 22 bowlers. This gave us 5 rounds of matches each consisting of 6 ends. Each pair playing 4 matches. 4 pairs won 3 matches, Val Baker & Tony Hayes, Jan Manley & Peter Lowe, Karen Noble & Brian Samuels but the winners with an impressive shot difference of +20 were Sue Shorey & Chris Baker. 
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Trophy winner Brian Johnson
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Wednesday 3rd July - Mens Silver Jubilee
The Men held their Silver Jubilee Club Singles Competition with a turnout of only 11 members, which is a reflection of the number of members putting their names down for the Wednesday RBA matches, very poor. With the 1st round losers going through to the Plate Competition it was John Noble beating Ron Finlay in the Final. In the Final of the Trophy, Brian Johnson beat Paul Hyde 9–5. The Trophies were presented by Secretary Brian White. |
Plate winner John Noble
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Sunday 30th June - County 2 Wood Day
Nine Clock House Ladies competed in the County Two Wood Knockout day at The Springhouse Bowling Club, Corringham. The first round saw 6 Clock House players competing against each other and the numbers were reduced to 5. The second round took it's toll, leaving 2 Clock House Ladies in the semi-final in which both triumphed. In the final Jane beat Becky. It was a fun day celebrating bowls camaraderie by meeting players from other clubs, playing, marking and supporting. |
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Finalists Becky & Jane
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Sunday 23rd June - Ron Moule Memorial v Brentwood
The rinks were full on a joyous Sunday afternoon at Clock House where our visitors Brentwood were determined to win back the Ron Moule Memorial Trophy, which at the tea time break looked a possibility, with only a small points difference between the two Clubs. The catering team obviously played their part in the break, filling the opposition with too many chocky biscuits and Clock House did enough after half time to retain the trophy. Jenny Morely, Ron Moule's daughter, will have to wait another year for the chance and had to watch on as Brian accepted the trophy from Sheila Sumner. The final score saw Clock House winning 4 -2 on rinks with an overall score of 144-84 on points. |
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Saturday 15th June - The Earls
With rain showers threatening, the order of the day was "have your wet gear ready" for this Saturday morning Mixed Triples competition where 7 teams each played 4 rounds. The result came down to a shot countback with the runners-up on 6 points and shot difference of +10 being Rob Shorey, Hazel Churchyard and Angela Ueckermann, the winners also on 6 points but a +12 shot difference were Veronica Wells, Kim Ferguson and Doug Baxter. |
Doug and Veronica with the Earls Trophy
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Sunday 9th June - Tony Allcock Trophy
(Over 60' Mixed Two Fours) - Essex South The Club embarked upon a new venture in entering the Tony Allcock Trophy, an Inter-Club National Competition, consisting of two rinks of four players (two men and two women per rink) playing 18 ends, two bowls each player. The competition comprises of 32 County based areas, each area playing down to an area winner. All 32 area winners advance to the All England Round of 32. Area winners then play off against other local areas reducing the field from 32 to 8, with the last 8 competing in the National finals at Leamington. Competing in the Essex (South) area, with a bye in the Prelim Round, Clock House met Romford in the Quarter-Finals. The Rink of Val baker, Janice Fortune, Doug Baxter and Roger Tallentire had a very easy 25-2 victory, Jane Preston, Jan Tallentire, Chris Baker and Mike Long won 19-7. With an overall score of 42-9, the Semi-Final with be against Harlow or Silverthorn. |
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Sunday 9th June - Hetty Foster Club Competition
A cloudy, chilly, Sunday did not stop 30 members turning up for the Hetty Foster. Played as a Mixed Triples with 6 ends, each team playing 4 matches. Overall winners were Hazel Churchyard, Patricia Heather, John Noble winning each of their matches quite convincingly. Many thanks to all who supported this event. Many thanks to Jean Saw, Barbara Williams, Val Nice for supplying teas and coffees which were very welcomed at the half time break. |
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Saturday 25th May - County Top Club
One week on and the 2nd Round of the County Top Club took the Ladies to Kings Chase Club at Brentwood. In the Singles Hayley once again had a comfortable 21-10 victory, Becky and Angela won 20-16 in the Pairs, the Triples Debbie, Jane and Janice had a close 16-15 win and the Rink of Jan, Margaret and the Michelle's had a comfortable 26-10 win. The next round will be played at Home on Saturday 22nd June against Gidea Park.
One week on and the 2nd Round of the County Top Club took the Ladies to Kings Chase Club at Brentwood. In the Singles Hayley once again had a comfortable 21-10 victory, Becky and Angela won 20-16 in the Pairs, the Triples Debbie, Jane and Janice had a close 16-15 win and the Rink of Jan, Margaret and the Michelle's had a comfortable 26-10 win. The next round will be played at Home on Saturday 22nd June against Gidea Park.
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Thursday 16th May/Saturday 18th May - Ladies Top Club
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The Ladies had a busy few days when they started their National Top Club campaign on Thursday 16th May with an away tie against Wanstead Central, followed on Saturday 18th with a County Top Club 1st round tie against Elm Park.
In the National Top Club match at Wanstead, Hayley Kenny, competing in the singles had a comfortable win 21-10, the pairing of Margaret Tinton and Rebecca Smith went down 12-25. The triples, Debbie Walmsley, Jane Preston and Janice Fortune had an impressive win 27-4. The rink of Hazel Pudney, Jan Tallentire, Michelle Carlin and Michelle Squires had a close match, losing 12-18. So with a 2-2 draw, overall points tally of 72-57 were in the favour of Clock House. In the County Top Club on Saturday at Elm Park, Kenny had a rare loss 17-21, a change to the pairs saw Angela Ueckermann and Smith take a comfortable 20-8 win. The triples remain unchanged with Walmsley, Preston and Fortune having another impressive winning score of 32-4. In the rink, Tinton joined, Tallentire, Carlin and Squires, but still lost 15-18 in a close match. Once again the match result at 2-2 was decided by the overall shots score of 84-51 to Clock House. |
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Sunday 12th May - Friendly v Griffin (Harlow)
Griffin were our first friendly match visitors of the season and enjoyed a hot & sunny Sunday afternoon. The match consisting of 4 mixed rinks of 18 ends, looked all set to be a very close contest after 10 ends and teatime, with Clock House only 6 shots ahead overall. The post teatime resumption saw Clock House increase their lead to an overall win on 3 rinks with 1 drawn, with an 83-57 shot total. |
Hazel, captain on the day, catches up with Ann, our old Tennis Club friend.
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Wednesday 1st May - Mens Selected 2 Wood Pairs
The Men's first Club Tournament was enjoyed in the sunshine of the first day of May. With 24 members taking part, the competition was divided into 2 divisions each with 6 pairs, each pair played 4 rounds of 8 ends within their division where the winners played a final. 
Captain - Brian Samuels presents the trophy to Peter and Geoff
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Division 1 winners were Peter Lowe and Geoff Carvosso with 6 points and a shot difference of +20. They would play Brian Johnson and Bernie Finch, winners of Division 2, with 6 points and a +10 shot difference. The final was a close run affair, with plenty of barracking from the side-lines, where Peter and Geoff took the match on the last end for an 8-5 win. 
Division winners and finalists: Peter, Geoff, Brian and Bernie
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Saturday 27th April - Ron Plews & Memorial Match
The rain kept off thankfully, albeit not the warmest of days, especially those that came to watch that included Ron Plews wife Joyce Plews, Stella Briton and Granddaughter Jody who started the day with assisting the draw for the Jack Briton Trophy.
In a fiercely competitive friendly match the Ladies had the upper hand overall, no small thanks to Michelle Squires rink who were 19 – 0 to the good after 11 Ends before their opponents, which included Brian Samuels, got on the scoreboard. However if ever proof was needed that every wood counts and it is not over until it is over, this was it. Thanks to a final end where the men won on each rink scoring 12 shots the final score was Ladies 89 – Men 94.
The rain kept off thankfully, albeit not the warmest of days, especially those that came to watch that included Ron Plews wife Joyce Plews, Stella Briton and Granddaughter Jody who started the day with assisting the draw for the Jack Briton Trophy.
In a fiercely competitive friendly match the Ladies had the upper hand overall, no small thanks to Michelle Squires rink who were 19 – 0 to the good after 11 Ends before their opponents, which included Brian Samuels, got on the scoreboard. However if ever proof was needed that every wood counts and it is not over until it is over, this was it. Thanks to a final end where the men won on each rink scoring 12 shots the final score was Ladies 89 – Men 94.
