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”.

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