Ilminster Outdoor Bowling Club
Looking For Indoor Bowls?
Ilminster Bowling Club has excellent facilities for all bowlers who want to play, enjoy and socialise in the world of bowls. If you wish to just play for fun or prefer to play seriously Ilminster has it all, and a warm welcome awaits you. Ilminster has also managed to attract fantastic players that have the drive and skill to play and compete at the highest level.
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2019 'A Year To Be Remembered'
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Ilminster Bowling Club had a fantastic year in the Outdoor Section. Managed by Jonny Kingston and his selection committee David Pugh and Dave Crouch. It saw Ilminster C win the South West 2 County League by 20 points; Ilminster B whom were only just promoted to Premier 2 in 2018 broke new ground. Never before has a B side won or gained promotion from Premier 2, making Ilminster Bowling Club the first team in history to have 2 teams in Somerset County Premier 1. Albeit a nail biting season, Ilminster A held their nerve to regain the Premier 1 title for a staggering 7th time.
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The year also had more success at National Level with Matt Hamilton & Neil Rowe qualifying through to the National Finals in the Pairs, then the triples alongside Charlie Takle. Finally they qualified again in the fours abily assisted by Jonny Kingston. Will Anderson also made staggering progress in the Over 60's singles to reach the Semi Finals.
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Bill Anderson & Angie Thompson - County Mixed Pairs Champions, Neil Rowe, Matt Hamilton & Charlie Takle - County Triples Champions, Matt Hamilton, Neil Rowe, Charlie Takle & Jonny Kingston - County Fours Champions.
Facilities
Ilminster Bowling Club outdoor facilities have recently been upgraded and redeveloped. The 6 rink surface had been down since 1929 and was in much need of some attention.
After the closing of the green in 2019 Rigby Taylor were commissioned to pull up and lay a brand new levelled surface.
Below you can see some of the fantastic early progress from the development stages.
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Teams & Competitions
Ilminster have a very active summer season with well over 100 games throughout the period.
- The Men field a strong string of four teams in the Somerset Men's County League which is played on Saturdays.
- Ilminster also make entries for National Club Competitions and play in County Competitions such as the Turnbull Cup.
- Ladies play in the Fear Cup, Southey Trophy & Somerset Ladies League.
- Mixed bowls is also available with two teams in the Wessex League on Thursday Evenings & Sundays. Also new for 2020 Season will be the East Of Exeter League which is played on Monday Evenings.
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There is a whole host of other friendlies and competitions available which are shown in the events calendar.
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2023 Mens League Status: Ilminster A (Premier 1), Ilminster B (Premier 1), Ilminster C (South West 1), Ilminster D (South West 2).
County Competition Honours
Premier 1 (Founded 1999)
2009
2010
2012
2013
2015
2017
2019
2014
Premier 2 (Founded 2005)
2005
2019
South West 1 (Founded 1999)
2002
2003
2004
2009
2015
2019
2014
South West 2 (Founded 1999)
2004
2019
Turnbull (Founded 1920)
1964
1965
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1975
1977
1979
1983
1984
1986
2007
2014
2015
2017
2018
Ladies Fear Cup (Founded 1928)
1970
1983
1989
1993
Southey Trophy (Founded 1928)
2012
2021
Teams & Competitions
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- Two teams in the Wessex Mixed League played on Monday Evenings.
- New for 2020 Ilminster will enter one team in the Mixed East of Exeter League which is played on Monday afternoons.
- Wednesday Afternoon Umbrella are regular throughout the season where members turn up at least 15 minutes prior to the start of an umbrella session which runs on a Wednesday afternoon starting at 2 pm – 4pm and after paying their rink fee are allocated a team to play in depending on numbers this can be pairs, triples or fours.
Alongside a whole host of home and away friendlies and National Competitions.
Leading up to the beginning of the season the club will post on notice boards availability sheets for matches and give each member a fixture book.
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There are many matches which friendlies which can also be mixed, men’s or ladies as well as the national competitions.
Umbrella (Outdoor Bowls Only): Umbrella sessions are where members turn up at least 15 minutes prior to the start of an umbrella session which runs on a Wednesday afternoon starting at 2 pm – 4pm and after paying their rink fee are allocated a team to play in depending on numbers this can be pairs, triples or fours.
How To Get Involved
Whether new or existing bowlers both will be well looked after with a friendly reception. When applying for your membership if you have bowled before please make use aware and we will help you get on board and integrated into teams & competitions.
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For new bowlers it is recommended that you spend at least two or three sessions with a coach to learn the basic skills. Coaches are available to help you throughout the season and we hold coaching sessions on a Tuesday morning in the Summer and Winter. You turn up at the club 15 minutes before the allotted time, put on a pair of bowls shoes, select a set of woods and have a go. The loan of Club bowls is free, there is no need to dash out and buy anything, and experience says that your preferences may change as your game improves – so early purchases may not suit your needs after the first few months.
Online Booking System
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Ilminster Bowling have an online table booking system for all rink and game bookings .
Please sign up or log into the website to request and access the account . You can the book a rink for up to 2 hours at present. If you require more time than this please specify in the notes section and create another booking for additional time .
Membership
For the latest membership prices please click here
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