A Sunshine Afternoon on the Green

ADCA Members Enjoy a Warm Welcome at Audlem Bowling Club

On Wednesday, 29th July, the green at Audlem Bowling Club was filled with chatter, applause, and plenty of good-natured competition as the club had the absolute pleasure of hosting a special visit for the Audlem District Community Action Group (ADCA).
Seven ADCA members stepped onto the green alongside ADCA Manager Phillip Baker, Lead Deb Davies, and Assistant Lead Julia Watson for what turned out to be a truly memorable summer afternoon outdoors. Joining them to support the session were ADCA volunteers Jane Da Silva and Chris Webb, while club hosts John Stead and Sylvia were on hand with open arms and plenty of expert advice to ensure everyone felt right at home.
John took charge of coaching and coordinating the games, earning heartfelt praise from everyone present for his gentle encouragement, endless patience, and brilliant tuition. Crown green bowling can look a little daunting to beginners, but John made the game effortless to pick up, ensuring that every participant—regardless of age, mobility, or experience—could step up to the mark and enjoy the thrill of sending a bowl down the green.
Cherished Moments and Friendly Rivalries
As the afternoon progressed, the green came alive with wonderful personal stories, gentle rivalries, and moments of sheer delight:
Old Friends & Fine Form: Jack Murphy was in absolute top form throughout the session, taking immense pride in showing off his bowling prowess during an entertaining, friendly match with his good friend, David Robert.
A Proud Family Tradition: For Edna Icke, the day held a particularly sweet connection. Knowing her son, Andy Icke, is already a keen Audlem bowler, Edna couldn't wait to get out on the green herself. She was bubbling with excitement at the thought of showing Andy the photos of her in action and telling him all about her own bowling adventures!
Discovering a Hidden Gem in the Village: Despite having lived in Audlem for many years, local residents Christine and Jane had surprisingly never tried their hand at crown green bowling before. By the end of the afternoon, both were completely won over by the charm of the game. In fact, the session proved so captivating that ADCA volunteers Jane and Chris were thoroughly bitten by the bowling bug—and have already announced their plans to join Audlem Bowling Club as official members in the very near future!
Reflecting on just how much the trip meant to everyone involved, ADCA Assistant Lead Julia Watson captured the true heart of the day:
"It demonstrates that even with mobility issues and age, a change of scenery and learning a new skill is a real tonic. The members loved the day and haven't stopped talking about it since!"
Celebrating Community Spirit
This delightful visit was a wonderful reminder of the vibrant, supportive community spirit that makes Audlem such a special place to live. It showed first-hand how sport and community groups can come together to create joy, boost wellbeing, and forge new friendships across generations.
Audlem Bowling Club extends its deepest thanks to Phillip, Deb, Julia, and all the ADCA members for bringing such fantastic energy to the club, as well as to John and Sylvia for their outstanding hospitality.
The club is already looking forward to welcoming the ADCA group back for another session on the green very soon—and to seeing a few newly minted bowlers joining the ranks for regular play!