Despite continued Council misfortunes and threats to green spaces and Bowling in Croydon, the Club at Shirley Church Recreation Ground is planning for a new season and the future.

Two new Trophies will be fully adopted this year. The Blount Cup has been acquired to celebrate the many years of service of Sylvia and Dennis Blount, and to mark the Amalgamation of Shirley Ladies and Spring Park Bowling Clubs in 2019. The format for competition is not yet fixed and at some events during the year we hope to introduce novel ways of playing including Australian rules.

There is also a new Trophy for the Pyramid Competition which will now be open to all members, with new bowlers and low handicap players getting preference in the starting positions. It can be played for late in the afternoons, in the evenings and at weekends. Coaching sessions may also return to the evenings.

Plans for 2022 include a welcome return of our Away Days to Eastbourne, Canterbury and Herne Bay and special events during the Queen’s Jubilee and the Commonwealth Games.

During the Covid years new members were often the backbone and stars of our teams which is a testament to our coaches and to the quality of our tea and cakes, which will be rolled out for anyone who wishes to drop in to TRY BOWLS.

Everyone can play and is welcome to come in at any time we are open during the summer!

We will have a special welcome on our Open Days –the first Sunday of each month starting on May 1st—no equipment needed, only flat shoes to protect the lawn.

We are situated in a corner of Shirley Church Recreation Ground, at the corner of Shirley Church Road/Spring Park Road, with our car park at the end of Spring Park Avenue.

Keep an eye on our website at Spring Park Shirley Bowling Club and our facebook page for more details.

Celebrate a day with us with afternoon tea deliciousness, music, entertainment and games for all ages at the Wilderness garden!

On Saturday 2nd April from 1pm to 5pm, MHA Communities South London & Kent have teamed up to host an outdoor Afternoon Tea Party at the Wilderness to raise funding and support MHA’s appeal to tackle loneliness and isolation in vulnerable older adults. We should be delighted if you and your family, friends and colleagues would be able to join us for either the whole, or part of the day.

Throughout the day there will be music and performances with local talents; stalls and entertainment; but also games and fun for children and families to take part in and adventure around the Wilderness with an Easter Egg Hunt. Prizes for the winners but deliciousness and treats for all.

We really hope that you will be able to join us and support our charity in our campaign to support older people’s life.

Please book your ticket as soon as possible by booking your ticket/s via EventBrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/272237829677

We would be delighted if you and your family and friends would be able to join us for the event.

Entry is £2 minimum donation for online tickets and £4 minimum donation on the day of the event. Children up to 12 years old are free but still need to book their tickets.

£5 Afternoon Tea with hot drink, 1 scone with clotted cream and jam; 3 sandwiches
£8 Afternoon Tea as above served with a glass of prosecco
*** license pending

We are still looking for donations for the cake stall and raffle prizes together with additional volunteers to help us to make the event a great success. If you are able to assist, please telephone our Communities Manager, Marco Galli, on 07597 135 220

Stay in contact with us, and follow our updates on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHACommSouthLondon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHA_Wilderness
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marcogallimha