Ladies Anniversary Game

It was the Chesham Ladies special day on Monday as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the formation of the ladies section in 1965.

Ladies had occasionally been given permission to play on the green before then, but at the club's AGM in March 1965 a proposition that a ladies section be formed was carried by 42 votes to 2, almost unanimous.  The annual subscription was set at 2 guineas (£2.10).  The initial conditions were that ladies could occupy three rinks allocated by the greenkeeper between 2pm and 5.45pm on weekdays; but after 6pm, they could only use the end rinks with permission provided none of the men were waiting for a game!

Audrey Baker and Chris Atkins

For two ladies it was a memorable day.  Chris Atkins, still bowling at Chesham remembers bowling on the green on the very first day that ladies were allowed.  Also coming all the way from Dorset to join the celebrations was Audrey Baker.   Audrey played in the very first match the ladies played against Merton and Morden.  Quite a way to travel as there were few ladies clubs in those days. Audrey went on to win the first of Chesham's County titles, skipping the Chesham Fours in 1969.  She followed that up with the county pairs championship the following year, and the triples in 1971.

The ladies section continued to flourish and was fully integrated into a mixed club in 2000.  

One of the ladies greatest achievements was to win the National Top Club championship in 2007, and so it was fitting this week for the current ladies to win the Buckinghamshire Final of that competition winning 71 - 62 at Bletchley Town.   In the singles June Holland lost 8-21, the pairs of Terri Keen and Lin Wright lost by only one shot (18 - 19).  However, the triple of Courtney Harvey, Charlene Turpie and Sue Springell won by 17 shots and the fours of Jean McNab, Jackie Bateman, Pat Rodgers and Sue Faulks won by six shots, making the overall score difference 9 shots in Chesham's favour.

On the men's side two Chesham teams have reached the area finals of the London and Southern Counties Bowling Association.   Triple, Peter Horton, Brian Wright and Roger Elliston won against Sandy Conservatives BC 16 - 12, and the Fours Chris Fillery, Dave Staples, Howard Cave and Frank McCartney beat Bletchley Town 24 - 20.

Friendly matches this week saw Chesham win against a combined Wealdstone and Lupton team 137 - 103, top rink was Brenda Waterman, Derek Puddiphat, Roger Lofty, Helen Fillery 27 - 11.

Chesham Ladies also had a win over Iver Heath by 51 - 47. Helen Fillery again getting top rink with Pam Hooper and Jackie Bateman 19 - 15.

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