Elkes Bowls Club

03/09/2026

BACK WHERE HE BELONGS. 🏆

September brings two of the Stafford Bowls League’s most prestigious individual competitions — and a familiar name will be challenging for both.

Elkes First Team Captain Aaron Jones has secured his place in the Eley Cup and the Individual Merit Finals.

And Aaron knows both competitions very well.

A former winner of both events, as well as a multiple-time runner-up, he has built an outstanding record in two of the toughest individual competitions on the Stafford bowls calendar. 🏆

First up is the Eley Cup at Heath Hayes on Sunday 13th September, where Aaron qualifies after finishing as Elkes’ leading player in the Stafford League averages.

Then, on Friday 18th September, he heads to Cannock Hatherton as one of just eight players contesting the Individual Merit Finals.

Having already won both competitions, Aaron has another opportunity to add to an impressive record.

Go well, Aaron. Everyone at Elkes is behind you. 🔵

FLY THE FLAG.

03/09/2026

🔵🟡 THE TITLE RACE GOES TO THE FINAL NIGHT.

After 21 matches, just FIVE shots separate the top two — and Elkes B are right in the fight for the Stoke-on-Trent Division 2 title and promotion.

Milton Recs A — 3,092
ELKES B — 3,087
Little Stoke A — 3,056
Milton Recs B — 3,046

It could hardly be tighter.

🏆 Already Junior Cup winners in 2026, Elkes B now have the chance to add to their cup success and turn an excellent season into something very special.

On Wednesday 9th September, our B side travel to Leek Park A for the final game of the campaign — with another 168 shots still available to determine where the title ends up.

And this is far from a two-horse race.

Milton Recs A host Leek BC A, Little Stoke A travel to Barlaston Plume, while Milton Recs B travel to Creda B.

Four contenders. Four final fixtures. The title and promotion still to be decided.

Whatever Wednesday brings, this side have already given Elkes another season to be proud of.

But they’ve put themselves in a position to achieve something even bigger.

One final game. Five shots off the summit. Everything still there to play for.

🔥 EVERY SHOT COUNTS.

Come on, Elkes B. 🔵🟡

09/08/2026

🏆 CHARITIES CUP CHAMPIONS — ELKES A! 🏆

What a day for Elkes Bowling Club as our A team were crowned Potteries & District Charities Cup Champions 2026!

A strong semi-final performance against Creda A booked our place in the final, where Fenton Private A were waiting — a top-quality side who know exactly what it takes to win silverware.

Having already beaten Fenton twice in the league this season, could Elkes make it three?

The final certainly didn’t start according to plan.

Matt Fellows faced a player in outstanding form and found himself with a mountain to climb, but battled all the way to 12 valuable chalks — and in aggregate bowls, every single one matters.

Adam Stubbs showed the same fighting spirit, recovering from 17–12 down to reach a hugely important 19, before Peter Hulse Jnr gave Elkes a much-needed 21–17 victory.

Martin Simcock was involved in another close battle, narrowly going down 21–19 to ensure Fenton were never allowed to pull away.

Four games gone. Just one Elkes winner.

Time to turn it around.

Captain Aaron Jones did exactly that. From 8–2 down, Aaron clicked into gear and stormed back to win 21–14, changing the momentum of the final and earning himself a thoroughly deserved Player of the Match award. 🏅

Then came Lol Stubbs.

After narrowly losing 21–20 in the semi-final, Lol rolled back the years, fought for every chalk and showed exactly why he deserved his place in this Elkes side with a huge 21–20 victory when his team needed it most. 👏

Sam Bailey followed with a superb performance under pressure, delivering another vital result and putting Elkes within touching distance.

That left the vastly experienced Darren Beardmore to help bring it home — and Darren did what Darren does.

21–19.

🏆 ELKES HAD WON THE CHARITIES CUP. 🏆

Matt Fellows • Adam Stubbs • Peter Hulse Jnr • Martin Simcock • Aaron Jones • Lol Stubbs • Sam Bailey • Darren Beardmore • Mark Campion • Cliff Jones

And what a season this is becoming…

🏆 Elkes B — Junior Cup Winners
🏆 Elkes A — Charities Cup Winners

Two teams. Two trophies. One very proud bowls club. 💙💛

Thankyou to the Potteries & District County Bowling Association, London Road Bowling Club and everyone involved in organising and running a fantastic Finals Day for local charities.

And a special thank you to those from Elkes who came along to support the team. Having our own members around the green, backing every bowl and every player, made the occasion even more special. 💙💛

🏆 ELKES A CHARITIES CUP CHAMPIONS 2026. 🏆

08/08/2026

🏆 CHARITIES CUP FINALS DAY 🏆

Elkes already have silverware in the cabinet this season after Elkes B lifted the Junior Cup — tomorrow, it’s over to Elkes A. 💙💛

The A team head to London Road Bowling Club for the Potteries & District Charities Cup Finals Day, with both the semi-finals and final taking place on the same afternoon.

📅 Sunday 9th August
📍 London Road Bowling Club
⏰ 1:00pm start

Our semi-final sees Elkes A take on Creda A, with the winners progressing straight into the final against Birches Head A or Fenton Private A.

ELKES A Squad:

Peter Hulse Jnr
Adam Stubbs
Darren Beardmore
Martin Simcock
Matt Fellows
Lol Stubbs
Aaron Jones
Sam Bailey
Mark Campion
Cliff Jones

There’ll also be a barbecue from Steve Whitehead, with supporters encouraged to come along, enjoy the afternoon and get behind all four teams — all while supporting local charities.

Elkes B have delivered. Now it’s over to the A team. 🔵🟡

Two wins from glory. 🏆

Good luck, Elkes! 💙💛

31/07/2026

Some people make a difference without ever asking for recognition. George is one of those people.

Week after week, George gives his time to Elkes Bowling Club in countless ways. From serving refreshments, making his famous rolls and running the weekly raffle, to helping with committee responsibilities, keeping the clubhouse spotless, he’s first to arrive and open up and the last person to leave after locking up, his commitment to our club is nothing short of remarkable.

It’s volunteers like George who are the heartbeat of community sport. The jobs they do often go unseen, but without people like him, clubs like ours simply wouldn’t thrive.

George, thank you for your time, your generosity, your friendship and your unwavering dedication to Elkes Bowling Club. Everything you do is appreciated far more than words can say.

From everyone at Elkes Bowling Club… thank you. 💙💛

30/07/2026

Behind every improvement at Elkes Bowling Club is the support of people and organisations who believe in what we’re building.

Every improvement we’ve made has been achieved through partnership, generosity and a shared belief that Elkes Bowling Club can continue to grow and thrive.

A bowling club doesn’t grow through membership fees alone. It grows because local businesses, community organisations and generous supporters choose to invest in its future.

Over the past year, that support has helped us invest in new equipment, improve our facilities, enhance our playing environment and continue developing a club that our members and the wider community can be proud of.

But we’re under no illusion—we still have a long way to go.

There are many more improvements we want to make, many more ideas we’d like to bring to life and many more opportunities to continue growing. Our ambition is simple: to continue building a bowling club recognised for its facilities, its people and its commitment to growing the game.

Today, Elkes is proud to be home to a green that many visitors regard as one of the finest in the county. With league-leading teams, county-standard bowlers and a club that’s continuing to grow both on and off the green, there’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the Elkes journey.

That combination of quality, ambition and community spirit is what drives us forward every day—and why we believe the future of Elkes Bowling Club is an exciting one.

None of this would be possible without the incredible support of the businesses, organisations and individuals who have backed us along the way.

A heartfelt thank you to:

🟡 Elkes Biscuits Ltd
🔵 TAG Sportswear
🌳 Dove Valley Timber and Fencing Supplies LTD
🌿 Taylormade Landscape Contractors Ltd.
🦁 Uttoxeter Lions
🤝 Foresters Lodge No. 456
⛳ Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club
🎖️ JCB Lakeside Club Funding Committee

Whether you’ve supported us through sponsorship, funding, donated materials, discounted equipment or simply believed in what we’re trying to achieve, you’ve played a significant part in moving our club forward.

If your business or organisation would like to become part of our journey, we’d love to hear from you. Supporting Elkes Bowling Club is an opportunity to champion grassroots sport, connect with the local community and help shape the future of a club with a clear vision and a commitment to continuous improvement, both on and off the green.

We’re proud of how far we’ve come, but even more excited about where we’re going.

To our current sponsors and supporters—thank you for believing in our vision. To those considering joining us, we’d love to welcome you to the Elkes family and build the next chapter together.

Together, we’re not just supporting a bowling club—we’re building a lasting legacy for our community. 💙💛

29/07/2026

🏆 JUNIOR CUP WINNERS! 🏆

What a memorable evening for Elkes B, who were crowned 2026 Junior Cup Champions after a superb team performance against promotion rivals Milton Recs “B” at Oakhill Bowling Club.

Played on aggregate shots, every bowl mattered from start to finish. Despite giving Milton Recs a 4-shot handicap start, Elkes produced a composed and determined display to record a superb 179–138 handicap victory (163–118 on raw shots) and bring the silverware back to Elkes.

Across all eight cards, Elkes delivered one of their most complete team performances of the season. While Simon Tideswell and Jason Mycock produced two outstanding victories to build a significant advantage on the aggregate, Mark Jennings, Dennis Underhill, Bill Salt and Ron Coleman all dug deep in hard-fought contests to keep the scoreboard moving in Elkes’ favour. Captain Fay Carson also played a vital role, ensuring the only defeat was limited to just five shots. Every shot mattered, and every player played their part in securing a convincing Junior Cup triumph.

Match Results

Dave Coleman 21–5 Peter Johnson
Mark Jennings 21–19 Martin Walker
Fay Carson 16–21 Julie Burgess
Simon Tideswell 21–10 Rob Johnson
Dennis Underhill 21–20 Craig Johnson
Bill Salt 21–20 Paul Harrison
Jason Mycock 21–3 Gary Minshull
Ron Coleman 21–20 Adam Dunn

👏 Congratulations to David Coleman, whose outstanding 21–5 victory set the tone for the evening and deservedly earned him the Player of the Match Award. Congratulations also to Captain Fay Carson, who led the side superbly throughout the competition and proudly lifted the Junior Cup on behalf of the team.

⭐ Special mentions also go to Simon Tideswell and Jase Mycock. Simon’s commanding 21–10 victory gave Elkes valuable breathing room on the aggregate scoreboard, while Jason’s outstanding 21–3 win was one of the performances of the evening. Having joined Elkes this season after returning to crown green bowls for the first time since he was young, Jason has embraced the challenge, worked hard on his game and become a fantastic addition to the club. His performance in a cup final is a reminder that Elkes is a club where players of all backgrounds and experience can develop, contribute and enjoy their bowls. Long may it continue.

This victory is another milestone in the journey Elkes Bowling Club is on. By blending the experience of our long-standing members with the enthusiasm and commitment of new players, we are building a stronger club from top to bottom. Every team, every player and every volunteer has a part to play, and successes like this are a reflection of that collective effort.

A massive thank you to everyone who travelled over to support us. Your encouragement throughout the evening created a fantastic atmosphere and undoubtedly played its part in another memorable night for Elkes.

Congratulations once again to Captain Fay Carson and the entire Elkes B squad on becoming 2026 Junior Cup Champions. Here’s to many more memorable moments together. 🏆💙💛

TAG Sportswear

27/07/2026

🏆 THE BIGGEST STAGE IN CROWN GREEN BOWLS 🏆

The 2026 BCGBA British Senior Individual Merit Finals brought together the very best bowlers from across the country, all competing for the title of British Champion.

We’re incredibly proud that our First Team Captain, Aaron Jones, earned his place amongst the nation’s elite.

Although Aaron’s journey came to an end in the first round against Greater Manchesters Ben Gloag, simply qualifying for the British Merit is an outstanding achievement. Only a select group of players reach this stage, and representing both Potteries & District County and Elkes Bowling Club on the biggest stage in crown green bowls is something to be immensely proud of.

Aaron continues to set the standard both on and off the green, leading our first team, representing the county with distinction, and helping drive the standards at Elkes.

If you’ve never watched the British Merit before, it’s well worth your time. The quality of bowling on display is simply exceptional, with the country’s finest players battling it out to become British Champion.

🎥 Watch the full live stream below and enjoy crown green bowls at its very best.

Congratulations once again, Aaron. Your club is proud of you. 💙💛

Live from Northern Club in Crosby

27/07/2026

🏆 JUNIOR CUP FINAL 🏆

The countdown is on!

On Tuesday 28th July, our Elkes B team takes to the green to face Milton B in the Stoke-on-Trent & District Bowling League Junior Cup Final.

This is our first opportunity to bring silverware back to Elkes this season, and everyone representing the club will be giving everything to make it a night to remember.

Finals are special. They create memories, test character and bring clubs together. We’d love to see as many members, friends, family and local bowls supporters there as possible to get behind the team and help create a fantastic atmosphere.

📅 Tuesday 28th July
🕡 6:30pm Start
📍 Oakhill Bowling Club
Daintry Street, Oakhill,
Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 5NN

💙💛 Good luck to everyone representing the club—we’re all behind you.

Come on Elkes! Let’s bring the cup home! 🏆

05/07/2026

💙💛 HALFWAY THROUGH THE SEASON… A CLUB MOVING FORWARD. 💙💛

As we reach the halfway stage of the season, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on what has been an outstanding first half for Elkes Bowling Club.

The league tables tell a fantastic story.

🏆 Uttoxeter Veterans League
Our Veterans A side have been exceptional, sitting proudly at the top of the table with 11 wins from 12 matches. Their consistency, experience and quality have set the standard throughout the season.

Our Veterans B side also deserve enormous credit. Currently sitting 5th in a very competitive division, they’ve produced some excellent performances and continue to prove just how much strength and depth now exists throughout the club.

🔵 Stoke-on-Trent & District League
Our First Team continue to establish themselves amongst some of the strongest clubs in the Potteries, sitting 3rd in the Premier Division and showing they can compete with anyone.

Meanwhile, our B side in Division Two have enjoyed an outstanding campaign and currently occupy 2nd place, firmly in the promotion race and demonstrating the quality and depth running right through the club.

🟡 Stafford Bowls League
Our Stafford League side complete the picture by sitting top of Division One, another fantastic achievement and further evidence of the progress being made across the whole club.

🟢 Uttoxeter Bowls League - Saturday.
Sitting proudly top of Uttoxeter Division 2 with an outstanding 10 wins from 11 matches, they’ve put themselves in a fantastic position heading into the second half of the season. Week after week they’ve represented Elkes brilliantly, combining experience, commitment and team spirit to produce some excellent results.

These results don’t happen by accident.

Behind every league position are countless hours of commitment from players, volunteers, captains and everyone working behind the scenes.

One of the biggest reasons for our progress has been the continued growth of Elkes Bowling Club.

Over the last couple of seasons we’ve been fortunate to welcome some fantastic new members while also keeping hold of the experienced players who have been the backbone of this club for many years.

That combination has made us stronger.

Not just one team…

The whole club.

Rather than strengthening one side, we’ve built competitive teams across multiple leagues. Healthy competition has raised standards throughout the club, but with four successful sides there are opportunities for players across the club to represent Elkes every week.

Experienced players, new members and those returning to the game are all learning from one another. That’s one of the greatest strengths of our club and something we’re incredibly proud of.

Our captains deserve enormous credit.

Selecting competitive teams each week is never straightforward. There are difficult decisions to make, but every decision is made with one aim—to keep every Elkes team as competitive as possible while giving players opportunities to contribute throughout the season.

One thing we’ve worked hard to build is a culture where everyone feels part of the same club. Whether you’re playing in the Premier Division, the Veterans League, Division Two, or supporting from the sidelines, every contribution matters.

Individual results are always nice to celebrate, but our greatest success is seeing every Elkes team competing strongly and every player pushing one another to improve.

The league tables reflect that:

🏆 1st – Stafford Division One
🏆 1st – Uttoxeter Veterans League
🥈 2nd – Stoke Division Two
🥉 3rd – Stoke Premier Division
🥇 1st - Uttoxeter League Division Two

Strong clubs aren’t built by one team—they’re built by players who want the very best for one another.

Whether you’ve been part of Elkes for decades or have only recently joined us, every player, volunteer, supporter, captain, committee member and sponsor has played a part in getting us to this position.

A special thank you also goes to Dennis Underhill, whose tireless work continues to provide us with one of the best greens in the area.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far…

But the job isn’t finished.

Here’s to a strong second half of the season. 💙💛