Massive thank you to Sighthill Bowling Club for hosting our semi finals.

The greens looked superb and by all accounts running very well.

We had a terrific welcome from all staff and officials at the club and a special thanks to their treasurer John Green for marking the singles tie.

Congratulations to all the winners and obviously commiserations to the losers.

Fixtures for the finals are as follows:

Singles: Currie v Slateford
Pairs: Sighthill v Fountain
Triples: Carrick Knowe v Balerno
Fours: Sighthill v Currie

Finals day is at Slateford Bowling Club on Saturday the 13th September at 2pm.

Congratulations to Sighthill Bowling Club on winning the Gyle Service & MOT Division 1 title. Although they won the title a week early they finished the season 13 points clear of their nearest challenger Slateford by 13 points. They also win the first Division prize of £300 courtesy of our leagues Sponsor Gyle Service & MOT.

The Gyle Service & MOT Division 2 title was won by Currie Bowling Club in a nail biting finish to the season.

Currie and Gorgie Mills finished the season tied on 54 points each and it came down to a shots difference of +44.25 in favour of Currie which gave them the honours and promotion to Division 1 in 2026. They also collect £200 prize money for finishing top.

Sadly, for Fountain Bowling Club, they were relegated from Division 1 but no doubt will be vying to come straight back up next year but we’re sure a few other clubs will be thinking differently.

A great season overall. No problems throughout the competition and we look forward to next season. Well played everyone and good luck in the upcoming knockouts.

We are writing to respectfully suggest a review and possible amendment to the Association’s constitution to promote greater inclusivity, concerning player eligibility by age and supporting clubs with declining memberships.

1) We would firstly like to raise a proposal for your consideration regarding the minimum age per members to participate in association competitions.

Bowls Scotland has taken progressive steps to encourage participation among younger players, recognizing that developing interest at a grassroots level is vital for the future of the sport. In line with their guidance, we propose that the Association consider updating its age-related eligibility criteria to allow participation below the previous minimum age, where appropriate, and in keeping with Bowls Scotland’s recommendations.

By adopting a more inclusive stance on age, the Association can not only nurture upcoming talent but also reflect a forward-thinking, welcoming ethos that can benefit clubs and the wider community alike.

2) We would also like to raise a proposal for your consideration regarding the current team format used in our league competitions.

Considering the ongoing challenges many clubs are facing with declining membership numbers, we suggest that the league consider reducing team sizes from four rinks to three. This adjustment would make it more feasible for clubs with limited player pools to continue participating fully in league fixtures without the strain of fielding a full four-rink team each week.

A move to three rinks could help preserve the integrity and competitiveness of the league by ensuring fixtures are fulfilled consistently and clubs are not forced to withdraw from the league or play short due to insufficient numbers. It may also encourage broader participation, including from newer or smaller clubs– who might currently struggle to consistently field a team.

We appreciate the longstanding traditions and values upheld by the Association, and we believe these proposed amendments would not only strengthen those values by opening the doors to the next generation of bowlers, whilst still supporting all clubs and still maintaining the integrity of the game.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Nolan (Club Secretary)

We have successfully negotiated a sponsor for the West Edinburgh Bowling Association which we believe is a first since the association was formed in 1957.

Our Sponsor is Gyle Service and MOT (GSM for short) They are based at:

13/2 South Gyle Crescent
South Gyle Trade Park,
Edinburgh,
EH12 9EB
01313349500
reception@gsmedinburgh.co.uk

You can receive a 10% discount of you quote (to be confirmed)

Please visit them for all your vehicles issues. A reputable workshop with fully trained technicians and using up to date equipment.

Well, first ladies to be precise.

As voted by the majority of clubs at the beginning of the season, WEBA have allowed ladies to participate in the leagues.

A huge congratulations (and welcome) to Sharon Rollason (Balerno), Alison Fulton (Ardmillan), Suzanne Wishart (Gorgie Mills), Linda McWilliam and Tricia Alexander (Juniper Green)

A big thank you to all respective clubs who welcomed the ladies last week.

It’s time to start the 2025 season. The first games are tonight at 18:45 and the committee would like to wish all clubs the very best of luck this season. Play well, play fair and most importantly, enjoy the games and the banter.
The weather has been great the past few weeks so hopefully that continues throughout the season.

Best of Luck everyone.

With all committee business being put to the following AGM, there are no significant minutes to circulate.

Please find below a redacted version of the proposal as shown and the result of the ensuing vote at the AGM

R Hendry on behalf of Sighthill B.C. proposed that, “West Edinburgh Bowling Association consider the inclusion of Women in the present structure of the Association”.

He went on to give a detailed explanation as to the reasoning behind the proposal. A discussion then ensued, in respect of limited access to teams and leagues, culminating in the opinion that should the proposal be upheld, women would have unrestricted access to everything.

With C Jamieson (Gorgie Mills) seconding the proposal, the Secretary, C Brown then called a vote on the proposal. The Result was as follows, 6 clubs voting for the proposal (Balerno, Colinton, Fountain, Gorgie Mills, Juniper Green and Sighthill.) and 5 clubs voting against. (Ardmilan, Bainfield, Carrickknowe, Currie and Slateford.) The proposal that Women have unrestricted access as members of the West Edinburgh Bowling Association, was duly passed.

Alex Scott and I have now left the executive committee and have been replaced by Sunny Ali
from Bainfield as Match Secretary an Robbie Hendry, Sighthill, as secretary.

On behalf of Alex and myself, we wish the incoming executive committee every success and good wishes for the future and the growth of the “Association”

Colin Brown
Ex Secretary,
and now Mister Brown

Dear Members,

As you’ll all be aware, the WEBA bowling leagues for 2024 have concluded. With the poor summer, we had some nights which were quite cold 🥶 and wet ☔. However, as usual, all games have been played in great spirit by all teams, welcoming clubhouses and the banter has been flowing freely which is always a great addition.

Well done to all teams for making this season a great success. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Congratulations to Sighthill Bowling Club for winning both the Premiership AND Championship league titles this year. We look forward to the internal battle between those two teams next year in the Premiership.

Commiserations to both Gorgie Mills and Balerno for their relegation to the Championship league next year. Another year, another challenge for us all.

Next up is the Knockouts starting tomorrow, Friday 16th August. The very best of luck to all players from all teams participating in that.

We’ll see you soon on presentation day, Saturday 14th September.

The final league standings are shown below for you all to see.

Congratulations to Sighthill Bowling Club for winning both 1st and 2nd division League titles.

 

Annual General Meeting 12th March 2024. Motion Result.

Proposals / Motions

Match Sec A Scott, proposed to reduce the number of rinks from four to three thus reducing the number of players from 16 to 12 for league games.

He went on to give a detailed explanation as to the reasoning behind his proposal. A discussion then ensued, culminating in an amendment being proposed by K Girdler (Balerno) for the “Status Quo”. Seconded by R Hendry (Sighthill), that the Leagues remain at four rinks of 16 players.

The Secretary C Brown then called a vote on the amendment, resulting in 6 clubs voting for the amendment (Bainfield, Balerno, Gorgie Mills, Juniper Green, Sighthill and Slateford.) and 6 clubs voting against. (Ardmillan, Beechwood, Carrickknowe, Colinton, Currie and Fountain)

With the vote ending in a tie, the Association President R Fairgrieve, used his casting vote to vote for the amendment.

 

Status Quo, four rinks, 16 players, carried by 7 votes to 6.

 

Colin Brown

W.E.B.A. Secretary

Member clubs and players of West Edinburgh Bowling Association. Our first year of being online is at an end now and I’d like your thoughts about your experience of our website, fixtures, leagues and results tables and your input on how we could make it better for you.

All criticism, good or bad, is welcomed from you. The site is here to inform you and make it as easy as possible for everyone.

As far as I am aware there has been no major issue but you may think otherwise which is like you to share with me if you wouldn’t mind.

Please either comment below, in the WEBA WhatsApp group or private message me on WhatsApp if you’d prefer.

Thanks in advance everyone. 👍

The West Edinburgh Bowling Association finals are taking place at Bainfield Bowling Club on Saturday 9th September at 2pm.

The Finals will be:

Singles: Sighthill V Slateford
Pairs: Bainfield V Carrickknowe
Triples: Sighthill V Juniper Green
Fours: Juniper Green V Fountain

Come along and support your team. We’ll see you there.

The West Edinburgh Bowling Association semi-finals are:

Singles:

Sighthill V Ardmillana

and

Bainfield V Slateford

 

Pairs

Gorgie Mills V Bainfield

and

Carrickknowe V Juniper Green

 

Triples

N.B.D. V Sighthill

and

Juniper Green V Fountain

 

Fours

Juniper Green V Slateford

and

N.B.D. V Fountain.

 

Best of luck to all teams involved.

Congratulations to Balerno Bowling Club who won the 2023 West Edinburgh Bowling Association Division 2 title.

Congratulations to Sighthill Bowling Club who won the 2023 West Edinburgh Bowling Association Division 1 title.

 

All member Clubs,
There has been a slight change in the website layout. ‘This Weeks Matches has been removed from the right hand side of the website and has been placed on the main content section near the top. Bottom to near the top if viewing on a mobile.

Also, to make it a little easier to keep track of each weeks results, you will notice that the ‘This Weeks Fixtures’ list now has the score from each match shown on it. If there is a result submitted, it will be shown on it. If there is a time shown on it then the result from that game has yet to be submitted by the teams.

I hope this helps to save you having to look through each match individually to see the results.

Any questions or suggestions then feel free to drop a WhatsApp or comment below this post.

We’ve created a WhatsApp group for member clubs to join so we can pass on any quick notifications regarding the leagues, fixtures etc. Also a quick way for you to get in touch with us.

Use the WhatsApp contact button on the website to request an invite to the group.

Both of the West Edinburgh Bowling Association leagues have now been fully updated. Our apologies that Division 2 has only just been processed but this was due to one club not submitting their scores online and having to wait until their paper copies arrived through the post. It’s a 20 second job which is easily done so if all clubs could please enter their scores online asap from now on then it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Just a couple of points about submitting match results.

We can not adjust the leagues until BOTH teams submit their match result. This is to ensure that they match 100% and there are no discrepancies between submissions. Please submit your teams result as soon as possible after the completion of your match.

If you need to enter a result that has a ‘half’ number, please enter .5 (point 5) instead of 1/2.
For enable, 47.5 instead of 47 1/2

Thank you to the teams who were very quick in entering their results. If we all do this then this will be very successful in updating league placings.

 

Lastly, I forgot to mention at the meeting that there is a place in the site for any open competitions that your club may be having like open pairs, open triples etc. Please feel free to get in touch with me if your club is holding any of these open competitions and I will advertise them on the site for other club members to consider entering.

There is now an app for our website which you can get on Google Play Store.

Click on the Google Play button at the bottom of the page to download.

Good afternoon all,

A meeting has been arranged at Bainfield Bowling Club for 7.15pm on Tuesday 16th May 2023. Item for discussion, the New Website and scoring system,
Robbie Hendry, the web designer and admistrator will be in attendance to explain how it all works and answer any questions that may arise.

All WEBA members Committee or not are welcome to attend.

Colin.

Due to Colinton Bowling Club withdrawing a team from the 2nd Divison, with 3 days notice. A major Fixture reorganisation has had to be done resulting in all 2nd division teams having an extra night off. This situation is not ideal but it is the only solution to a problem not of the Associations making. This change will be reflected on the official website.

The West Edinburgh Bowling Association, Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologise for the inconvienience caused to all other 2nd Division teams.

 

Alex Scott Match Secretary

Colin Brown Secretary

This Friday 28th April we finally play our first matches in the 2023 West Edinburgh Bowling Association leagues. From last season, North British Distillery (NBD) have been promoted to Division 1 and Juniper Green were subsequently relegated to Division 2. We would like to welcome Beechwood Bowling Club to the leagues this season and they will start their first WEBA league game away to Sighthill BC.

Weather wise, the forecast for Friday is 11 degrees with 70% chance of showers and a 14km/h wind. We would recommend you all take some sort of protection to shield you from the elements

Good luck to all members for the forthcoming season and enjoy.

We have a new dedicated WhatsApp number where you can contact us regarding all things WEBA related.

You can also send us your match results through this WhatsApp number in the meantime but this will cease in favour of the online results entry in the near future. We will let you know in advance of this happening. We will still need your paper copies in case there are any queries later for the moment.

We are wanting to gently break everyone in to the new system so we don’t overwhelm you with a big change.

Please add this new number to your contacts for future reference.

WEBA: 07443031841

 

Elected at AGM 14th March 2023

New President 2023 Rab Fairgrieve, (Bainfield)
New Vice President 2023 George Brims (Carrickknowe)
New Treasurer George Brims as above.

 

 

West Edinburgh Bowling Association would like to remind the representatives of all member clubs that our AGM will be held on Tuesday 14th March 2023 at 7:15pm and will be held at Gorgie Mills Bowling Club.

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update on what we have new onsite for you.

We have added a more in-depth history of the West Edinburgh Bowling Association on our menu ‘About WEBA/History page. Go and check it out to see how the bowling association started.
We’ve also added a Galleries section in the menu where we will be uploading photos of relevant cups and tournaments from throughout the season.
Lastly, there is a ‘Past Honours’ menu item that has all past presidents and past league winners of the WEBA Leagues. Is your team on it yet? If not will your team be on it at the end of this year?

As always, please tell us if there is anything you would like to see added to the website and we’ll see what we can do.

The 2023 fixture lists for the West Edinburgh Bowling Association First and Second divisions are now available. You can view your teams fixtures on your team page which is available from the ‘Clubs’ tab in the menu.

Colin and Alex decided to somewhat overhaul how the results and leagues should be offered to the clubs that enter the competitions. To that end they decided that it was long overdue that WEBA was hauled into the 21st century to keep up with the ‘younger’ participants. Since WEBA was born in 1957, all bowling clubs have adapted to using telephones, mobile phones, texts, emails and WhatsApp and therefore using the available online systems now. We hope you will agree that this is the way forward and know people will adapt to the systems available to us now. This will also help keep the association greener by using less paper than we previously needed to use. Clubs can still use the previous forms of communication with WEBA but we strongly urge you to use the online option where possible.