Reg May - Lions Sports SMBC
Reg Rapley, the first and longest-serving President of
Surrey County SMBA, passed away on the 19th June 2024 at the age of 95.
Reg was one of the founders of the SHAB League back in 1988
and was a pioneer in making the sport of short mat bowls widely known and played across Surrey. Alongside Norman Crawley and Jason Reynolds, Reg grew the sport, developed the league and set up
friendly matches with other organisations across Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and Essex.
In 1992, the SHAB League had grown to the point that its Executive Committee decided to create the Surrey County SMBA and Reg oversaw that development with his usual
diligence, integrity and calmness. As the County organisation continued to grow, Reg and others bought eight new mats and a trailer and toured schools across the county trying to promote the game
further and get younger people interested in the sport.
Reg represented Surrey many times in inter-county matches and friendlies, as well as achieving domestic success in the Surrey Pairs with wife Ann and in the Surrey
Fours, representing Lions Sports SMBC. He was a life long member of Lions and was instrumental in developing them into one of the strongest teams in the early days of the SHAB League and very few
opponents managed to succeed in winning at James Walker's factory in Oriental Road, Woking.
The sport in Surrey owes a huge debt of gratitude to Reg for the endless hours of effort that he put in at the very earliest stages of its development. Our condolences
go out to his wife Ann, and to the wider family.
Thank you Reg.
Jill Woodhouse - Lions Sports SMBC
It is with sadness that Lions Sports report that Jill Woodhouse has recently passed away. Jill had been fighting cancer for some time now but always remained up beat. She was a great club member and was Lions club Treasurer for a number of years until illness forced her to step down. An excellent bowler, she has represented Surrey in the Premier team, accruing over 140 caps and represented Lions often in SHAB and league games. She will be sorely missed. Jill’s funeral will be on Thur 18th Jan. at 1pm, at Woking Crematorium
Wendy Rayner - Sandhurst SMBC
Sandhurst Short Mat Bowls Club sadly
announce that Wendy Rayner passed away a couple of weeks ago. Her funeral is on 6th October at Easthampstead Crematorium followed by her wake at Easthampstead conference
centre.
Wendy was our Membership secretary who
really helped make Sandhurst a friendly club to join and always kept in touch with members, particularly during Covid.
She was also a very good bowler
who used to single handedly run the Friday afternoon sessions.
She will be sorely missed by Sandhurst
and by many bowlers who knew her.
Peter Lamb – Ripley SMBC
Ripley Bowling Club is saddened to report
the death of Peter Lamb, a
life member of over 30 years standing. Peter and his wife Jenny have
been at RBC since its beginnings as a short mat club in Ripley Village
Hall in the late eighties.
Peter was an accomplished player who
was capped many times for Surrey
SCMBA in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In recent years, he
played a major role in moving the club to its current
site in Rose Lane, where his expertise in the building trade proved
invaluable.
All of the members and friends of RBC send
their condolences
to Jenny and the rest of the family at this sad time.
Ann Glaister - Sandhurst SMBC
It is with great sadness that Sandhurst
Short Mat Bowling Club announce
the passing of Ann Glaister on 17th June
2023.
Ann was one of the founder members of the
Club and a long term committee
member, making a major contribution to the
Club over the years. Ann
frequently played in external competitions
with other clubs and I am
sure she will be fondly remembered by those
who knew her.
Steve Brierley - West End Rosewood SMBC
IIt is with great sadness that West Bowls Club have to announce that their Club President, Steve Brierley passed away on Friday 16th December 2022..
Steve joined the club in 2002 and quickly became a key figure. He took on the role of Club Captain in 2012 and became President in 2018.
He had a great ‘Can Do’ attitude and spent many hours working on the green, coaching new members and playing bowls. At the opening ceremony of the club’s new extension in June 2018 Steve was presented with the Surrey County Bowling Association Leopard Award for services to West End Bowls Club.
He was an accomplished Short Mat Bowler, firstly at Bisley then at West End Rosewood and regularly played for Surrey County, gaining 48 Caps and his Surrey Badge. He also won the Club Novices and the Men’s Championship in 2004 and the 100 Up Competition 3 times.
Steve was diagnosed with prostate cancer around 7 years ago but, even while undergoing treatment, this did not stop his enthusiasm for bowls and the club. He was still involved in Committee and Sub Committee meetings this year, even liaising with the Treasurer last week. He kept everyone in line dealing with lots of admin jobs and spread sheets behind the scenes.
Thoughts must go to Karen, Ashley and Louise at this very sad time. He will be a great loss to them and his family and friends as well as everyone at West End Bowls Club.
Peter Howitt - Ripley SMBC
It is with great sadness that Ripley Bowling Club announce the death of Peter Howitt on 11 September 2022 following a sudden illness.
Peter was Secretary of Ripley Bowling Club for over 20 years and an integral figure in the club acquiring its clubhouse and green in 2016. Following his retirement, Peter devoted all his energies to the bowls club and when he wasn’t having a roll-up or playing in a match, he was usually behind the bar pulling pints and, occasionally, drinking them.
Peter was an accomplished club and county bowler, playing for Ripley Gold and Surrey Premier Team. He won a number of club titles and his consistency saw him reach the latter stages of county competitions on many occasions.
Peter will be greatly missed by all the members of Ripley Bowling Club and our condolences go out to his sister Sheila and brother-in-law Keith at this very sad time.
Mary Sheather - Ewhurst SMBC
It is with great regret that Ewhurst Short
Mat Bowling Club announce the passing of Mary Sheather on 25th August 2022.
Mary was a competitive and competent
player for Ewhurst over many years. She was also a popular representative forSurrey County Bowls for many seasons, both in the”A” and “B” teams.
Unfortunately, health matters caused her eventual withdrawal from bowling.
Mary will be remembered for her lady-like
grace, coupled with a very ready sense of humour.
Our condolences go to her husband, Peter.
Brian Burton - Tringham SMBC
It is with great sadness that Tringham
SMBC announces that Brian Burton passed away on Tuesday evening 9th August 2022.
Brian was a long standing member of of the
club and also played outside for West End BC and inside for Camberley IBC.
He stopped playing
a number of
years ago due to various health issues.
Brian was a very competent and competitive
player and played for Surrey County SMBA for many years winning a number of
Club and County titles.