Des Browne

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It is with great sadness the Club received news that Des passed away suddenly in January, 2021. Des was known as everyone's friend and a wonderful bowling colleague.

When people pass away, they are sometimes remembered as being “angels” or “angel-like”. A close friend of Des feels that title absolutely describes him since he was always ready and willing to help anyone at anytime, day or night.

Des was regarded by many as the best “Lead” in the club but also as a true sportsmen and a gentle giant. Playing against him was always a delight – he never became anxious or distracted but always ready to encourage his own team’s performances or compliment his opponents.

One club member comments : “Des was a formidable opponent - he played with what are probably the largest bowls in the club - they would be more appropriate on the gun deck of HMS Victory. To see them coming towards your bowls was always worrying, He was a great player and the nicest man you could wish to meet and play with or against”

If you had Des as a member of your team – whether league or roll-up – you were invariably off to a flying start. Opening good shots just got better and better – Des was almost a one-man-team at times!

His modesty was wonderfully illustrated when he won a Bowls International Hot Shots Club award – playing with his partner one Tuesday morning in the Planets League. After the game, he was quietly reserved but so delighted for his partner and for himself.

Without doubt, Des was an outstanding club member. His presence at the Brecks will be hugely missed. His kindness, support and encouragement are part of our treasured memories of the big man with a big heart and generous nature.

We will certainly miss you Des. Thank you for sharing so much with us. Our sincere condolences to Christine and her family.

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Sad news

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It is with sadness that we wish to inform you Pat Ainger recently passed away. Although Pat wasn't active in the club during recent times, he will be remembered as a quiet, kind and skilled played, a great supporter of the club.

Our sincere condolences to his wife and family at this very sad time.

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Ed (Eddie) McVicar

It is with great sadness that news of the death of our charismatic and loyal club bowler, Ed McVicar, was received.

Ed died in May 2020 following a lengthy illness. Throughout the period of his long treatments at the Basingstoke and West Suffolk hospitals, Ed was determined to live his life as fully as possible.

He continued to welcome visits by relatives and friends, ensuring his Scottish hospitality was ever generous and open-hearted. There was always an ample supply of his renowned Scottish Shortbread!

His loyal support of our club - whether bowling at roll-ups, taking part in league games and knock-out competitions as well as delighting in the festive socials - endeared him to everyone.

Ed was admired for his bowling talents and also for his attitude to the sport - he was very fair-minded and never took victory or defeat too seriously. For Ed, bowling was a sport to be played with like-minded people who enjoyed the game and each other's company.

In the weeks before Ed became too ill to visit the club, he would often be asked "How are you?" He will surely be remembered for the sparkle in his eyes as he invariably replied with a smile, "Not too terrible thank you!"

Our sincere condolences to all Ed's family.

Ed ~ dressed in festive white shirt and tie!

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is with great sadness that news of the death of our charismatic and loyal club bowler, minded and never too

Tributes to Peter Scott ~ "Scotty"

Peter was hugely admired, respected and held in great affection..He will be greatly missed by all his family and by his many friends here at the Brecks Indoor Bowling Club.

One of Peter's closest friends and playing partner for many years, Geoff Mealing, expressed his surprise and sadness on learning that Peter had died. He writes:

“Following a phone call from a bowling friend of mine, I am very pleased to offer this contribution in honour of my good friend, Peter. This is dear to my heart and without hesitation it came to me.

I was Peter’s playing partner for many years, at Staniforth Bowls Club and at the Brecks. I couldn’t have wished for a better playing partner. A quiet and unassuming man, Peter was always willing to help anyone having an off-day when bowling, offering discreet and gentle words of encouragement.

Peter joined Staniforth Bowls Club in 1976 and I joined the following year. Peter helped me a lot and we played many county games together. We joined the hugely enjoyable trips away, especially at Whit-weekend when we shared some wonderful times and games together. I shall never forget those occasions.

I can honestly say I never heard a bad word leave his mouth. Our friendship continued at the Brecks, each of us being Founder and Committee members. Scotty was also elected Club President. I will always remember the many wonderful games we played together.

Peter was also a Thetford Football Referee and will be remembered by many in the football fraternity.

There is so much more I could write about Scotty – the games at Brandon, local area matches but suffice to say, he will be sadly missed by all and my condolences go to his wife Thelma and all his relatives and loved ones. I can truly say I certainly miss him and always will.

I wonder if he stills wants me for a Lead ? Still, not to worry – he’s got Jack Whalebelly, George Angus, Don White and Bill Massingham, to mention just a few good players up there. So if they need me, they’ll have to wait a while longer, especially if it’s raining.

Rest in peace Peter. Hope you get your bowling arm back in the next world.”

Another of Peter’s bowling friends has offered her own tribute.

Ann Melton writes:

“Peter was a founder member of The Brecks and represented the club in the Men’s County League which was quite successful in the early years. He took part in the club’s knockout competitions and was successful in many of them. He was also a member of the original Brecks Committee.

Peter was a member of the Staniforth Bowls Club for many years and during this time he played in the County League team for the club, going on to County play-offs. He was successful in the club knockout competitions. Peter entered county knockout competitions in different categories, winning through to the National Finals in several events.

Peter was a Steward at Potters on more than one occasion during the World Championships a few years ago. During his younger years Peter played football, later qualifying as a referee.

Whatever sport he took up, Peter was always willing to pass on his experience to those 'new players' seeking his guidance and advice. They found one of the best in Peter.

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JOHN ZANNINI

Sadly news reached us that John died on 23rd March.

He was a very loyal and supportive club member, taking part in many rollups and league games.

His good humour and friendly smile won over many team members and opponents alike. He will be greatly missed.

Our sincere condolences to John's wife Judy and family.

Unfortunately, club members will be unable to attend John's funeral as a result of the current restrictions surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak.

Summer 2019 Trees League

Summer 2019 Trees League Results

Winners : Cedar : P Cane, A Hiller & D Browne

Runners Up : Spruce : S Horrell, S Randall & M Attfield

Congratulations to the winners and runners up for a hard fought

competition. And thanks to everyone for a successful Summer league

with no outstanding matches.

Les Fiske - League Secretary

Summer 2019 KO Competition

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Ladies Singles Winner J Barras

Runner Up J Medcalf

Ladies Pairs Winners A Webb & J Barras

Runners G Fenton & T O’Brien

Men’s Singles Winner J Washbrook

Runner Up M Attfield

Mixed Pairs F Shields & T O’Brien

Runners Up W Baldock & L Boldock

Congratulations to all winners

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Les Fiske: Competitions Secretary

Club Presentation Evening

April 2019

Photographs follow the listing below

The following Presentation Evening (2019) photographs remain in the copyright ownership of Mr Brian Soper.

Many thanks to Brian for all his efforts and support.

Winter 2018 ~ 2019 KO Results

Ladies' Friendly - Home to Risbygate

Monday 21st October

We were pleased to welcome the ladies from Risbygate who helped us start our new season.

We played 4 x 3 Triples thanks to the support of our own ladies.

A good win for one of our rinks and it was so good to renew "old acquaintances" and enjoy "a nice cup of tea and gossip".

Ladies' Friendly - Home to Lakenheath

Monday 28th October

A very enjoyable afternoon. It was good to see "young players" on the green. The visitors brought along six players including one young man.

They all told their captain, Pauline Wright, how much they enjoyed the experience of a "proper game".

We had two winning rinks - a good day for everyone!

Many thanks indeed Ann

And following .... a selection of Presentation photographs,

submitted by Andrew Wallace. Displays by Webmaster.

Can you match the winners to the competition played ?

Summer League details 2018

CONGRATULATIONS TO ASH - THE TREES LEAGUE WINNERS - SUMMER 2018

John Salisbury (Capt), Tricia O'Brien, Fred Shields, Des Brown

Ladies' Friendly - Home to Risbygate

Monday 21st October

We were pleased to welcome the ladies from Risbygate who helped us start our new season.

We played 4 x 3 Triples thanks to the support of our own ladies.

A good win for one of our rinks and it was so good to renew "old acquaintances" and enjoy "a nice cup of tea and gossip".

Ladies' Friendly - Home to Lakenheath

Monday 28th October

A very enjoyable afternoon. It was good to see "young players" on the green. The visitors brought along six players including one young man.

They all told their captain, Pauline Wright, how much they enjoyed the experience of a "proper game".

We had two winning rinks - a good day for everyone!

Many thanks indeed Ann

Welcome!

Official opening of fourth rink by Thetford Mayor and the Mayoress

Diary - Friendly Matches

Monday 26th February 2018 : Away to Lakenheath

We played a triples game of three rinks. On arrival we were warmly welcomed by their Ladies' Captain and her team. It was a good game and played in a very good spirit. Unfortunately we lost on all three rinks.

Nevertheless it was a most enjoyable afternoon - not spoil at all by the snowy journey!!

Anne Melton - Ladies Secretary

Monday 15th January 2018 : Home to Risbygate

Cancelled by the visitors

Ladies President - Rosie Smith

Photograph courtesy of EDP

Sadly, Rosie died last year.

The news came as a great shock to all club members who knew her.

"The world of bowls loses one of its great personalities in Rosie Smith"

"Rosie Smith may have been diminutive – she measured barely five feet – but there is no doubt the long-time secretary of Norfolk, and former President of the English Women’s Bowling Association, was a pocket dynamo. Rosie, who died, aged 82, after a short illness on Monday, was one of Norfolk’s great bowling characters. Born in Cambridgeshire, she spent her early days in Upwell, working first in a sweet shop, then a haberdashery in Wisbech. She married Neville, a police officer and the couple moved to Mundford in Norfolk.

Together, in 1970, they joined the Mundford Bowls Club, where Rosie became ladies’ captain in 1980, a role she was to assume again from 1982 to 1989. She won the club singles title five times – in 1980, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 2004 – and was club President from 2014 until her death.

Indoors, she was a member at the Old Hall club in Ashill, before joining the Brecks club when it opened at the Breckland Leisure Centre in Thetford in 2006. Rosie served as its inaugural President, and, again, this was a position she still held until her death.

Outdoors, she played for Norfolk roughly 50 times in the Johns Trophy, and was a member of the county side that won the coveted national title in 1985 and 1987 - and she was proud to be county president when Norfolk did the Johns Trophy and Walker Cup double in 1991.

Over the years, she reached county finals in singles, pairs, triples and fours, winning the triples three times, in 1978, 1979 and 1980, and the fours once, in 1980. She also won the Norfolk Champion of Champions title in 1994.

Her love for the game meant she was also a mover-and-shaker off the green, the pinnacle of her achievements as an administrator came when she served as President of the English Women’s Bowling Association in 1997.

Rosie also served as secretary of the Norfolk County Women’s Bowling Association from 1992-1995, and again from 2009-2017. She was assistant secretary to the national association from 1998-2002, and an international selector from 2000-2009. She received a special award from the EWBA in 2003, and was installed as an Honorary Life Member of the unified body, Bowls England."

The above article and photograph appear by courtesy of the Eastern Daily Press.

Just a few weeks ago, Rosie was enjoying her bowls at the club where she was hugely loved and respected by all who knew her - and where she treasured her role as Ladies' President.

Those who didn't have the privilege of knowing Rosie well, will surely recall her smile and warm welcome, as they too arrived for yet another league game, no doubt seeing Rosie as she rested between ends, sitting at the end of her rink.

Rosie, partnered by Ann Melton, won the Ladies Pairs knockout competition earlier this year. A fitting tribute to all her club successes throughout the past years.

Rosie will be hugely missed.