Ferndene Bowling Club, Ryton
Lawn Bowls is a fabulous sport, suitable for all age groups. There has been a bowling green here at Ryton since 1957 and we hope to be here for the next 64 years, at least.
We would welcome new members to the club at any time. The club ethos is to encourage 'inclusive social bowling'. So although we do partake of League matches and county competitions, there is no compulsion to partake. The outdoor season runs from April to September.
You could just pop down to see us, or send us a contact email just to make sure that we will be there. You do not need to have any experience of bowling. All we ask is that you wear flat shoes. We can supply the equipment for you to have a try. We will be happy to give you guidance on how to play our great game of Lawn Bowls.
More details of when we play will be found below.
'The Times they are a Changing'
There has been a bowling club at Ryton (in Gateshead) since 1957.
Recently there have been many changes. Bowling greens around the country have been closing down at an alarming rate. As a consequence Bleach Green Bowling Club (who lost their green) started playing at Ferndene. This meant there were four clubs at Ferndene Park: Ryton Towers, The Vets, Ryton Ladies and Bleach Green. Discussions have been taking place and changes have occurred. The clubs now playing here are detailed below.
Ferndene Ladies
The ladies club, formerly Ryton Ladies Bowling Club, play Monday and Wednesday.
Monday is practice day or club competition day, starting at 12 o'clock, usually for up to a couple of hours.
Wednesday is the league match day. If playing at home, we arrive about 12.30 to set up for a 2pm start.
See the Calendar page for upcoming event, matches and competitions.
Ferndene Ladies are affiliated to Northern Women's Bowling Association and also the English Women's Bowling Federation.
The league matches are played under the Northern Women's rules.
Meanwhile, the national competitions are played under Federation rules. If you are successful in winning a competition in your county, then you will go forward to represent Durham at Skegness in the National Finals held in August.
Ferndene Bowling Club
Everyone is welcome to join Ferndene BC. Our aim is to offer the community of Ryton and the surrounding area the opportunity of playing the sport of amateur lawn bowls on a social and/or competitive basis in an inclusive, friendly environment.
Tuesday and Saturday at 12mid-day we encourage anyone to join us. Teams of pairs and / or triples are picked at random and play 6 ends. Teams then shuffle around and play again.
The Thursday Social Session follows the same format as the other sessions but with a £2 entry; £1 of which goes towards a winners pot. The aim of the jumbles is very much to enjoy the game and the company - no pressure.
We enter teams into the Northumberland and Durham League's Monday & Wednesday evenings. As a club we want to win but we believe that every member (but only if they want to) should have the opportunity of playing competitive matches, so we operate a rota system, covering both Monday and Wednesday matches, and everyone knows when they will be in the teams.
Ryton Vets
To play with the Ryton Vets you need to be over the tender age of 55 and not working.
Tuesday from 12 o'clock will find the Vets playing in the league matches. See the Calendar for upcoming home matches. On these days there will be no Social Bowls available.
Friday from 12 o'clock onwards the Vets play their Cup (club) competitions. Events and winners will be shown on the Vets page.
News and Upcoming Events
Well, what a day at South Shields today. The semi finals and finals of the 2 bowl senior pairs. Janet and Lynn were playing against Pam and Jean (Readhead) in the semi’s. Six times through the game we were level on shots. Coming into the last end, Janet and I were 1 down. Janet played an absolute corker - moving the jack a few inches to make 2 shots, winning us the game.
Onto the final against Brenda and Ethel (sorry, not sure which club). Playing on a very tricky rink, we trailed for several ends. Janet and I swapped and we started to come back at them. Needing 6 shots with 3 ends to go, we scored 4 shots on the next 2 ends. One end to go, we needed 2 to draw - but unfortunately we were not able to pull it off! Congrats to Brenda and Ethel.
There is always next year…………
Ferndene Bowling Club, Ryton, Gateshead
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Address
Ferndene Bowling Club
Main Road
Ryton, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.
NE40 3RS
United Kingdom
Ryton is in the borough of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in the North East of England