Royston Bowls Club opened its doors on Saturday to mark a season full of expectation for the 80 members who attended.

President Rodney Dean welcomed all members both established and new, as well as guests and social members, before players took to the rinks for an enjoyable and relaxed afternoon.

They took part in a spoon drive on a green that was lovingly maintained during the winter months resulting in excellent playing conditions for a first time out.

Having played in the Spider competition (one bowl sent towards a plastic spider in the middle of the rinks, nearest bowl to the spider’s head wins) the prize being a bottle of whisky, 46 players engaged in three rounds of the Spoon Drive before gathering in the clubhouse for a buffet contributed by the members.

President Dean addressed the members explaining that all charity monies raised this year would go to the Garden House Hospice which offers hospice care and support to patients from the community with a terminal diagnosis.

The East and North Herts. Primary Care Trust contributes towards the day to day running costs of the hospice, but as a registered charity Garden House is dependent on voluntary donations and fundraising activities to raise approximately in excess of £1 million per year in order to maintain the current level of services.

The money raised from the Spoon Drive, £92, and Spider £56, plus donations already received provided a fine start for the fund.

Dean also thanked the green staff, members who cleaned the club prior to opening, and those who had helped with the organisation on the day.

Presentations were then made, firstly to Charles Boyer winning the whisky for the Spider, donated by Terry Lovegrove, and secondly to Peter Fisk, winning the Spoon Drive with 27 shots, narrowly beating Gill Goode into second place, 26 shots.

Following this fines were imposed on ‘miscreants’ who were found to have flaunted the rules....again a healthy sum to add to the charity pot.

The club is open to new players if you would like to join contact the club secretary on (01763) 245534 or e-mail Stanley.whitehouse@btinternet.com for an application form.