Tour News

Monday we left sunny Bredon and headed off to OTTERY St MARY B C for our first match. This year was different as we planned to have lunch there at 12.30 and play at 1.30 pm with the coach taking our cases to the Bedford hotel and returning after the game. Paul our driver from Dunwood decided to take us to Burnham on Sea for our comfort stop. Great idea., and a great start to the Tour.

Well the idea of playing before going to hotel was a DISAAARSTER (as Craig Revel Horwood would say). We lost on 6 Rinks, won on 1. (85 to 118). Lesley Clark was the unfortunate skip to get Si our mascot for the night. Si now has playing whites, an evening suit for Dinner and pyjamas for bed. Sad I Know but we at BREDON B C don’t do things by halves!!!!

Tuesday took us to Lyme Regis for a walk around the town before playing. The members of LYME REGIS B C very kindly ferried our bowls to their club from our coach up on the top carpark, as coaches not allowed to stop in town centre. We understood why when Paul had to manoeuvre the coach back up the hill. I don’t think Paul will forget it either. Great driving Paul!! This time we were successful winning on 6 Rinks and Drawing on 1 (150 to 90). Curly was the recipient of Si today. We returned to the Bedford ready for our singalong before dinner. We were serenaded by not one but two guitarists, Pete Litchfield and Tony O’Neil. Now nicknamed the SIMON and GARFUNKEL of BREDON B C. A great evening was had by all “Thanks Pete and Tony”

Wednesday saw us leave the hotel by 9 am to head for our Tram ride from Seaton to Cloyton . Those who stayed up late the night before found this a challenge. I know I did!!!! The tram journey was brilliant as some of the photos will testify. Well done Ian Day for another trip out not to be forgotten. JBS dead heading of flowers from the boxes by the railway line railings and Si being left on the Coach would become contentious issues later in the week!! We travelled back to the hotel for a quick change and a 10 minute walk to SIDMOUTH B C where our next match happened to be. Great day again and wonderful weather 24 degrees. We won on 6 Rinks and lost on 1 (145 to 93) and Jeff Dean was the unfortunate skip to get Si and fell foul of the parental standards expected when you have Si. Teena going to the toilet and Jeff to the bar leaving Si sitting alone in a chair in a side bar. Later(Thursday) BAD COP Colin Prosser fined them both for disgraceful behaviour. A Great evening and as always great company!!

Thursday was the annual CRAZY GOLF Competition with 33 contestants this year. the winner was Trevor Clark on 21 closely followed by John Doody on 22. The wooden spoon was won by Annette Day on 36. Yours Truly had 35 so a close shave there Demo!!! Ian Day presented his wife with a new set of CLUBS (BISCUITS). SEATON B C was just around the corner from the Golf. But our bowls and kit where on the coach . Paul was not allowed up the hill so dropped off the kit and bowls at the bottom. Two lifesavers with wheel barrows ferried most of the bowls up to Seaton B C, Chris Bishop(BISH BASH to his friends) and virgin Tourist Matt Innes were the saviours today. Thanks Lads!! It has come to our notice that Trevor Clark is applying for a Carers Allowance as he helped push Angela Slim around in her wheelchair, giving Tony a break. Whether Angela appreciated the help is another thing!! Well Seaton did us proud with Lunch laid on. Was this an OMEN ! As on Monday Ottery St Mary had provided lunch and we had lost heavily. This time the Gods were with us and we prevailed winning on 4 Rinks, drew on 1 and lost on 2 (118 to 90). Annette was the custodian of Si till we get home on Friday afternoon. We had BGT (Bredon’s Got Talent) after dinner being first serenaded by Sue Bishop and then jokes from husband Chris. Margaret Dempsey did a Pam Ayres poem “ The Dolly on the Dustcart”. Not forgetting the Guitar duo Pete and Tony O’. Plus D J Yendole (Dave Jagger Yendole) with his impression of Mick Jagger, we thought at one stage he’d gone into “Flamenco Dancing”!! Then “Ol’ Twinkle Toes” himself Moz Pullin!! We must mention Colin Prosser who took to BAD COP with such Zeal. Fining people for abuse of Si our Mascot including Curly Chappell for leaving Si on coach while they went on Tram. Curly said there were mitigating circumstances this resulted in Ian Day fined for not buying Si a ticket! Then a fine for Wrong Bias (Matt Innes). D J Yendole for Snitching! JBS for dead heading (Health and Safety) NO GLOVES!! At one stage Jeff Dean said is would be easier if he gave Colin his Bank detail. Thank you all who took part and made £80 for the Air Ambulance Service.

Friday, What can we say. The BEDFORD Hotel and it’s Staff, it’s Food and it’s Service were of the highest standard and we thank you for making our Jurassic Tour 2024 one of our best. Our Driver Paul from Dunwood could not have been more helpful and I hope he enjoyed sitting with us each night. Thanks Paul. The only thing missing were the BAR PRICES at BREDON B C. LOL And not forgetting the incredible weather we had throughout the week

As Ian and I said that next year Langstone Cliff Hotel Dawlish Warren 2025 will be our last. We hope that someone or maybe two people come forward to take over the reins and do it their way. May we thank you all for your kind gift to Annette, Ian, Margaret and myself.

We hope you all enjoyed yourselves and look forward to seeing you all next year on the 2025 Tour to Dawlish Warren. Cheers Demo

GO TO GALLERY for Tour 2024 pictures.