It was a happy yet sad occasion as members of the club said farewell to our good friend John Morris who is moving away from Eastbourne to be closer to his family in Uckfield. But he'll still be bowling, just for a club a few miles inland. And we hope to see John when we play against his new club.
Scroll down for photos of "John Morris: bowler extraordinaire: This is your life"
John has been bowling since 1984 and been a member of Gildredge for many years. He is loved by everyone. He has always been a supporter of everything at the club. John played regularly in club matches, in the leagues, in the Town and the Open competitions, and for the club teams in County and national competitions. In 2021 he presented an elegant glass trophy to the club for an annual match between the ladies and the Men's Top Club teams. This match has quickly become a fixture with a friendly (i.e. fiercely competitive!) game between the two squads each September. He also sponsors the Ladies Singles competition at the annual Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament. John stepped in when the ladies singles event was dying and his generous sponsorship has given it a new lease of life
John, we are very proud of you.
The entire club wishes you well, and looks forward to seeing you again soon.
Good luck to you for many, many more bowling years and many new memories to yet to form.
John has kindly provided the club with some photos of his bowling highlights and hopes you enjoy looking at these memories
An international star
Photos above: Clockwide from top left: (i) His first international match was at Crystal Palace in 1990 against Scotland; (ii) Playing at Huntington BC in 1999. Won the tournament;
(iii) Playing in Glasgow for England against Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales;
(iv) Runners up in Belfast; (v) What a result! 9 - 0 down after five ends but clawed it back and won with the last bowl (vi) The England team in Glasgow
Southdown Deaf Association
Photos above: Southdown Deaf Association, champions for many years; A sensational year's achievements
John and some Gildredge club competitions
Photos above clockwise from top left: With Dorothy Bromiley in the mixed pairs; With George Potier in the club men's pairs; With Paul Farley winning the club men's pairs
Town competitions
Photos above clockwise from top left: The Gildredge men's A team runners-up in the Tolley Bowl; Winning the Town League; ...and then again; Eastbourne Open runners-up with Alison Hare in the mixed pairs
Dreamland. 2019
Clockwise from top left: Club singles; Handicap cup (shown with Cathy Greenwood who won her first championship that year); John and his trophies
Was it just a dream?
No. It was all over the Eastbourne Herald in full colour!
Above: A lovely photo of John with the late Paul Farley, another deaf bowler at Gildredge who achieved international honours.
More successes
L to R: Holding the club men's pairs cup which John won with Colin Couch. One of John's favourite wins...the Town Nye Water men's pairs with George Murray
A lasting legacy: The Top Club Challenge
Photo above: The Top Clubs teams lined up ready to play
The Top Club Challenge. John created the match and donated a lovely vase. The squads who represented Gildredge in the County/National Top Club competition play off against each other each September. The match follows the national format with singles, pairs, triples and fours.
Photo above: John holding the challenge trophy vase as the men celebrate victory in 2024. How will the men manage in 2025 without John?
John's departing words and picture to the club.
"Always next year if you don't reach the finals...... you can do it....and most of all enjoy the bowling"
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