The Slims take a break from the music in the Band Rotunda, from left, Jono Knapp, Ken Emery, Mark Taylor and Paul Taranaki during Cambridge Bowling Club’s final 125th celebrations. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
And just like that, the 125th birthday party is over.
The ‘Summer of Celebration’ for Cambridge Bowling Club started in November last year with afternoon tea for dignitaries and life members and ended on Sunday with a picnic in the park.
What better way to finish it off than by playing the annual derby with Central Cambridge Bowling Club on the newly-laid artificial green while listening to music from the band rotunda?
Cambridge Bowling Green and Band Rotunda 1916.
But the differences between 1916 – immortalised in a postcard on display in the club house – and 2024 were stark.
No suits, ties, long dresses and stockings. The vegetation overlooking Lake Te Koo Utu is far lusher and the octagonal rotunda, built in 1907, seven years before the existing bowling pavilion, rarely hosts concerts today.
Singer/guitarist Jacob Nelson and blues-influenced The Slims put paid to that performing some rousing music while the bowlers played end after end in pursuit of local dominance.
It came down to a countback of ends won. Both Cambridge and neighbours Central had 16 wins each from the 32 games played – but Central won more ends so took home the trophy.
Central Cambridge’s Mike McCormick, left, and Cambridge’s Peter Hand, right debate who holds the shot watched by Pam Hoten and John Wright. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Scenes of the bowling from the first floor of the club house looking towards the Band Rotunda, Lake Te Koo Utu and the newly-laid green. Photos: Mary Anne Gill.
Singer guitarist Jacob Nelson provided easy listening entertainment at Picnic in the Park.
Round this way says Cambridge skip Don Harris while Central’s John Guppy counts how many shots they hold.
Cambridge secretary Alan Hayward gets in the way of the photographer.
Sponsor Alf Cox of Central, left, and Cambridge’s Bill James watch as the end gets closer.
Central’s Craig Pilkington plays his shot
Cambridge’s Don Harris, left, congratulates Central’s John Filmer.
Margaret Stott waves from the bowling club pavilion upstairs window.
A serious Pam Hoten prepares to play her shot.
Two shots to us, signals Central Cambridge’s Mike McCormick while looking on from left are Pam Hoten, Peter Hand and John Wright.
