Reigate Priory Bowling Club
All you need to know
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION FEES
PLAYING MEMBERSHIP
The membership fee for a playing member is currently £125 per year payable at the first social get together in April. New members to the Club for 2024 pay a reduced fee of £62.50 for their first year's subscription. To start, all you need is a pair of flat-soled shoes. Junior membership (those under the age of 25 on 30 April) is £25
The membership fees are reviewed each year and if any change is deemed necessary this will be put to the Annual General Meeting held in October, for approval. Membership is open to all, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.
SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP
Social membership is currently available for a nominal £17.50 per year and entitles the social member to attend the Club and take part in any social events and watch any club or inter club matches being played. Social membership is limited to partners of playing members and former players. Many former playing members become social members when they are no longer able to bowl as this enables them to keep in touch with the friends they have made over the years.
Social members are not allowed to play bowls and would have to become a playing member to do so. However, their help is invaluable when Invitation Days and special events are held - no offer of help is refused!
If you would like to become a social member, please click here to download the application form.
JOIN US
Both beginners and experienced players are welcome. Our coaches are ready to teach you all the basics in up to 6 FREE sessions or get you back in the swing of things if you have had a break from play.
Coaches are at the Club every Tuesday morning during the playing season (April to September). If this is not convenient for you an alternative day or time can be arranged.
All equipment is provided, you just need to wear flat soled shoes. Once you and the coach are happy that bowls is the game for you, and you can play at the safe standard needed, they will sign and provide you with a membership application form to be submitted for approval by the Committee.
Click here for a membership enquiry form, complete your contact details and we will forward your details to a coach on your behalf who will arrange for you to get started.
CLUB DAYS
The first in the week is held every Monday evening. We meet up around 5.30 pm and start playing at 6.00pm, although this is brought forward as the evenings start to shorten towards the end of the season. All wishing to play will be invited to draw a number to decide which team they will be joining. It is all very casual, including the dress, and scores are kept throughout the season, to introduce a competitive edge! Currently on arrival members are given the opportunity to order a burger or hotdog for a nominal charge and these are enjoyed after the game.
Also after the game, there is a bit of socialising, a raffle which helps with club funds, and members are kept up to date with any news/information by the captains, chairman, etc
Every Thursday afternoon, during the season, members can meet up for the Thursday Ladder at around 1.30 pm for a 2.00 pm start. Again, dress is casual, and teams will be made up depending on numbers present. This is an excellent opportunity for new members to experience playing as part of a team.
MATCHES
All our matches against other clubs are previously arranged by the match secretary and entered in the fixture card and can be viewed on the web site. There are lists on the notice boards where members are invited to put their names down if they are available to play on a particular date. Some games are for men or ladies only, but the majority are for mixed games. Some games are played at home, others at other clubs’ greens.
Whether home or away, we pay a small sum to play in a match – this covers tea and expenses. Most clubs (including ours) have a raffle after the game, and it is customary to take part. It is also usual that the home team members buy their opposite number a drink at the end of the game.
Some matches are league games, but these are played in the same way.
DRESS CODE
The dress code for bowls has become more relaxed in recent years, but there are still some requirements.
a) Bowls shoes (flat-soled) are mandatory unless you are a complete beginner.
b) Smart casual can be worn for casual play (Mon/Thursdays) and roll-ups.
c) To play (or mark) in any competition, grey below the waist, white above.
d) To play in any match, whites are required – or white trousers/skirts with a club shirt. The club shirt can be purchased through the club.
e) Finals of club competitions and special club days (as indicated) – Whites.
CLUB COMPETITIONS
Every season we hold a variety of club competitions, some are singles, which require the players to have a marker (members do this for each other); some are for pairs which do not require markers. Towards the end of the season we have a finals weekend, where the lucky ones who have qualified will battle it out for the club cups, hopefully supported by some spectators.
THE SOCIAL SIDE
We have some special events during the season (See Social Events Web Page).
The President v Captain’s Day is one of the highlights of the season. Members who have elected to play will be allocated a team – half of the entrants play for the President, the other half for the Captains’ team. A 2-course sit-down meal follows, with wine.
The Ladies 2 Wood Day is a special fun day for the ladies, where we play for most of the day (with 2 woods only) versus each other, and have a sit-down lunch provided for us by some of our gentlemen members.
The Men v Ladies is a light-hearted competition, sometimes with a theme.
During the season, we arrange a variety of social evenings, usually one each month, which have included a beetle drive, a quiz, casino evening, bingo and various fun games.
An annual dinner or dinner/dance is held after the end of the season.
We have recently revived our Bowls Tours, when members have a few days away together to enjoy bowling and socialising.