Margaret Catchpole Bowls Club

Margaret Catchpole Bowls Club The MCBC was founded in 1948 on a green built in the former Rose Garden of Holywell House - home of the Cobbold Family.The club plays both BE and EBF

The Margaret Catchpole Bowls Club is situated in a picturesque location between the Margaret Catchpole pub and Holywells Park in South East Ipswich. The Cobbold Brewery, owners of the pub, built the Green in 1948 for the landlord Cecil Farr, who was Cobbold family's former butler and it was handed over to the club in 1950. Cecil's son,Derek Farr,was a prominent member of the club since it was est

ablished. He held many offices including Secretary, Treasurer and President and was an Honorary Life Member. Derek was also a top bowler, playing in many County Finals and National Championships, plus being a member of the Suffolk Middleton Cup for many years.Unfortunately Derek passed away in early 2010. The club has also had many other prominent bowlers including Derek Johnson who was an England International in the 1970's. In 1998 the club became affiliated to both EBA & EBF codes following the merger with the Volvo Bowl Club and since then has made rapid strides both on and off the Green. The club participates in eight leagues (3 EBA & 5 EBF) and also enters many Cup Competitions. In 2005 Charles Sharp was Suffolk EBA President and the County Finals were staged successfully on our Green for the first time. In recent years the club and several club members have played in several County Finals and reached the National Finals, whilst we have currently members in the top Suffolk team squads. The club caters for bowlers of all standards and new bowlers are offered coaching and support. New members are always made especially welcome and applications for membership are welcomed.

A first photo of the new club shirts. Suffolk Junior Cup team 2026.
06/06/2026

A first photo of the new club shirts. Suffolk Junior Cup team 2026.

05/06/2026

MCBC CLUB NEWSLETTER - 5th June 2026

CLUB SHIRTS: By now all members should be in possession of their new club shirts. For tonight's Suffolk Junior Cup match we will wearing them and we expect all teams to be wearing them as from Monday, 8 June. Please wear your shirt with pride.

Members can still wear their old club shirts when playing club competitions, roll-ups etc.

EBF CLUB PAIRS 2026: This competition will be played on SATURDAY, 6 JUNE, 1.00pm registration for 1.30pm start. All club members are eligible to participate. So please come along and join us.

01/06/2026

MCBC CLUB NEWSLETTER - 1st June 2026

CLUB SHIRTS: A message from the club Treasurer, Chris Cousins. Providing the shirts arrive on time, Anne and Chris will at the Clubhouse on Wednesday morning, from 10.30am for you to collect your shirt/shirts. Your first shirt will cost you just £12.50 and each additional shirt will be £25. You MUST pay the club when you collect your shirt. To pay by electronic bank transfer, please pay your money into the Club's Lottery Account:
Account name: Margaret Catchpole BC Fund
Sort Code: 20 44 51
Account No: 90025356

EBF CLUB PAIRS 2026: This competition will be played on SATURDAY, 6 JUNE, 1.00pm registration for 1.30pm start. The organisers will divide all of the entrants into Leads or skips and the draw will then be made before play commences. This gives everyone a chance of winning The entry form will be on the club notice board on Monday, although you can enter on the day.. All club members are eligible to participate. So please come along and join us.

31/05/2026

MCBC CLUB NEWSLETTER - 30th May 2026

SUFFOLK JUNIOR CUP: We managed to beat an experienced Co-op team by staging a thrilling comeback to win by just 2 shots on Friday evening. We now have another home encounter with Hadleigh BC on Friday, 5 June, 6.30pm start.

MCBC WHIST DRIVE: Please note that the Whist Drive scheduled for Friday, 5 June has been postponed as we we have a Junior Cup match v Hadleigh on the same evening. The next Whist Drive will now take place on Friday, 19 June, at 7.00pm.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON SOCIAL BOWLING: These enjoyable roll-up sessions have now started again, so please come along and join in and bring along any potential new members.

MID-SUMMER TOURNAMENT: - Sunday, 21 June: Now is the time for all club members to find a partner and enter, as the closing date is fast approaching. The entry form is also available on the clubhouse noticeboard. Martyn Alcock is organising and running our tournaments this year. Please support our tournaments as they bring in much needed income into the club.

MID-SUMMER TOURNAMENT DRAW: This a request for club members, including those not participating on the day, to donate Draw Prizes for the tournament. Anne Barber and Chris Cousins will be pleased to receive them in the clubhouse. If any member would like to donate a bottle of Whisky (or similar) for the spider please contact Anne or Chris.

CLUB SHIRTS: Good News! We are hoping are new club shirts will be available early next week. Anne and Chris will at the Clubhouse on Wednesday morning, from 10.30am for you to collect yours. Your first shirt will cost you just £12.50 and each additional shirt will be £25. You MUST pay the club when you collect your shirt.

MARGARET CATCHPOLE PUB: We are very pleased to report that the new custodians, Robin and Charlotte Wilkinson have settled in well and the atmosphere is welcoming and friendly. Hopefully we will all work together and both the the pub and club will benefit in the long run.

16/05/2026

Newsletter 15th May 2026

CLUB EBF TRIPLES COMPETITION: This was scheduled for Saturday, 16 May on the fixture list. As all club members have been very busy playing in league and cup matches in inclement conditions, we have decided to postpone playing this competition until later in the season.

MCBC WHIST DRIVE: We hope to see you tonight at 7.00pm. Bring your friends and family.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON SOCIAL BOWLING: These enjoyable roll-up sessions have now started again, so please come along and join in.

MID-SUMMER TOURNAMENT - Sunday, 21 June: Now is the time for all club members to find a partner and enter. The entry form is attached and is also available on the clubhous noticeboard. Martyn Alcock is organising and running our tournaments this year. Please support our tournaments as they bring in much needed income into the club.

08/05/2026

Newsletter 7rh May 2026

CLUB HANDBOOKS: These arrived today and are now available in the Clubhouse. They are sitting on the top of the large filing cabinet. All club members are welcome to take one in the first instance.

WHIST DRIVE: Our first summer Whist Drive will be on Friday, 15 May, 7.00pm start. Everyone welcome.

TEAMS: Club Captain, Malcolm Clarke, requests that members make a special effort in making themselves available for our league and cup matches.

FIXTURE CHANGES: The MCBC v Hadleigh, IDL Triples League match scheduled for Wednesday, 13 May has been postponed. This will now be played on Wednesday, 12 August. The MCBC v Ipswich BC, IDL Div B League match scheduled for Tuesday, 26 May has been moved to Wednesday, 4 August.

20/04/2026

Newsletter 20.4.2026

CLUB ROLL-UPS: We are having roll-ups on Wednesday, 22 April from 6.00pm and on Saturday afternoons at 2.00pm, beginning on 25 April.

KAY RICE: Kay's funeral service will be on THURSDAY, 30 APRIL, at SEVEN HILLS Crematorium, at 10.30am. All friends of the RIce family are invited to attend.

OPENING DAY: We opened last Saturday and we were pleased to welcome around thirty people to the club and these included new members Ian Fowler, Jess and Daniel Bennett and Ian Yeung. Welcome guys. Some members enjoyed a friendly roll-up, whilst we had twenty people playing our Club EBF Pairs up to the semi final stage. The final will see Kevin Boyton & Malcolm Clarke v Steve Prentice & Gavin Thwaite, this will be played during the season. Congratulations to Ivan and Gavin who produced an excellent bowling surface. During the afternoon we were delighted to receive emotionalse visits from Ted Hendin and Ken Grayburn, this gave everyone a boost and we hope see them again soon.

EARLY LEAGUE MATCHES: Our fixture list is on display on the club noticeboard. Our league matches start on Tuesday, 28 April. All members are asked to visit the club and add their names to the various team lists. Any queries should be directed to Malcolm Clarke.

WINTER SOCIAL EVENTS: Many thanks to everyone who assisted in the organisation and running the events. The Table Tennis and Social afternoons have continued to be popular, the Whist Drives and Bingo Evenings have also been great fun. Many thanks to the organisers and helpers for their enthusiasm and hard work.

WHIST DRIVES: We will now be staging Whist Drives on Fridays, 15 May, 5 & 19 June, 3 & 17 July, 7.00pm. Everyone welcome. There will be break in late July and some of August when we are involved the various Bowls cup competitions.

09/04/2026

Newsletter 6th April 2026

KAY RICE: News has just been received that our popular former member Kay has passed away following a long illness . Kay was a lively character and will be particularly remembered for her love of the Wimbledon Tennis fortnight. We send our sincere condolenses to her husband Brian, Michael and the family.

EARLY SEASON GAMES: We ask all members to make themseves available for the early season games. Please enter your names on the WEEKLY AVAILABILITY SHEETS on the Club house Noticeboard for the matches you would like to play in.

OPENING DAY: This will be on SATURDAY, 18 APRIL, 1.00pm registration for 1.30pm start. Please bring along any prospective new club members and they will be made welcome.

CLUB HANDBOOK: This is currently with Neil Prentice who is editing it and organising the printing. Hopefully, they will be available soon.

TABLE TENNIS: Another winter season concludes on Friday, 17 April, 2.00pm start. We will be hosting our annual Table Tennis Tournament. During the afternoon snacks including sausage rolls, cheese scones, cake and Norman Chan's 'Pork Dish' will be available. Please come along and enjoy the friendly social atmosphere. Once again these sessions have been very enjoyable and a sizeable sum has been raised for the club coffers. Many thanks to the organisers Phil and Pat for their enthusiasm and hard work.

WHIST DRIVES: Our final winter season Whist Drive is on Wednesday, 15 April, 7.00pm. Everyone welcome. We will continue on FRIDAY evenings through the summer months, starting on Friday, 1 May. Further dates are 15 May, 5 & 19 June and 3 & 17 July. There will be break in late July and some of August when we are involved the various Bowls cup competitions.

31/03/2026

Newsletter 31st March 2026

OPENING DAY: This will now be on SATURDAY, 18 APRIL, 1.00pm registration for 1.30pm start. As you may be aware, the Ipswich Town v Middlesbrough match has now been rescheduled for Sunday, 19 April at 12.00pm and will be live on TV.

FIXTURES: A draft fixture list has been displayed on the club noticeboard and should be available our website for your perusal in the next few days.

TABLE TENNIS: Another winter season concludes on Friday, 17 April, 2.00pm start. We will be hosting our annual Table Tennis Tournament. During the afternoon snacks including sausage rolls, cheese scones, cake and Norman Chan's 'Pork Dish' will be available. Please come along and enjoy the friendly social atmosphere. Once again these sessions have been very enjoyable and a sizeable sum has been raised for the club coffers. Many thanks to the organisers Phil and Pat for their enthusiasm and hard work.

WHIST DRIVES: We are staging Whist Drives on Wednesday, 1 & 15 April, 7.00pm start to conclude the our winter season. Everone welcome. We have decided to continue on FRIDAY evenings through the summer months There will be break in July and some of August when we are involved the various Bowls cup competitions.

BINGO: Our next BINGO Evening will be on Friday, 10 April, 7.15pm start. Hopefully our members will make a big effort to attend and bring along their friends and family. We would welcome the donation snacks on the night - see Chris Cousins or Anne Barber for further details.

15/03/2026

Newsletter 15th March 2026

KEN GRAYBURN: As you may be aware, Ken was taken ill last week and is currently unable to carry out his duties within the club. In the meantime Paul Cousins and Malcolm Clarke are handling the maintenance issues at the club and Steve Prentice is standing in as EBF Secretary. It's business as usual as we prepare for the new season.

FIXTURES: A draft fixture list has been displayed on the club noticeboard for your perusal.

TABLE TENNIS: Another winter season concludes on Friday, 17 April, 2.00pm start. We will be hosting our annual Table Tennis Tournament. During the afternoon snacks including sausage rolls, cheese scones, cake and Norman Chan's 'Pork Dish' will be available. Please come along and enjoy the friendly social atmosphere. Once again these sessions have been very enjoyable and a sizeable sum has been raised for the club coffers. Many thanks to the organisers Phil and Pat for their enthusiasm and hard work.

WHIST DRIVES: We are staging Whist Drives on Wednesday, 18 March and
1 & 15 April, 7.00pm start to conclude the our winter season. Everone welcome. We will be canvassing those people attending on Wednesday evening to ascertain whether it is viable to carry on through most of the summer on FRIDAY evenings. If we continue, there will be break in July and some of August when we are involved the various Bowls cup competitions.

BINGO: Last weeks session was enjoed by a reasonable turnout and to booster balancing the books. Many thanks to the club members who assist with making these social events so enjoyable.

Address

, Cliff Lane
Ipswich
IP30PQ

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