Page 10 - Summer 2016

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St. JOHNS SMBC
St. JOHNS SMBC
The club was founded in the year 2000 in St John’s Community Hall Pembroke Dock, Pem-
brokeshire. Three of the founder members Len Shapcott, John and Sheila Rowlands are still
members of the club. They joined the ‘Friendly League’ in 2002. Consisting of ten SMBC
clubs in a twenty five mile radius. The games are always carried out in a competitive but social
evening making new friends and acquaintances as we play.
The members are all from different walks of lives brought together by the enthusiasm of
playing short mat bowls. Our club is family orientated with husbands, wives, daughters, sons
and grandchildren with ages ranging from 18 to 96 playing side by side. We were delighted to
have won the Friendly League this year.
OUR OLDEST MEMBER - Andrew Hogg age 96
OUR OLDEST MEMBER - Andrew Hogg age 96
Andrew became an avid fan of bowls from the tender age of three when he used to accompany
his father to Abbey Hill Bowling Green in Edinburgh to watch him play. The year was 1923.
Years later having served King and Country from 1939 to 1946 Andrew returned to civvy street
and 1949 joined the Mayfield Bowling Club.
A few years passed and in 1963 Andrew and family moved to another District in Edin-
burgh which meant a change of club. Andrew
joined Braid Bowling Club where upon he pro-
ceeded to win the Club championship in his first
season.
Taking early retirement in 1982 and with
his family grown up - Andrew and his wife Jean
moved to Crawley in West Sussex where Jean’s
sister lived and joined the local bowling club.
Jean also joined and under Andrew’s guid-
ance quickly became an accomplished bowler
and went on to win the Ladies championship in
only her second year.