Civil Service Bowls Tournament Final Dinner and Prize-giving

Some events are difficult to gauge in terms of duration or expectation of participation. Being a guest of the Civil Service Bowls Association for the prize-giving is one of those events which was outside of my experience and therefore an unknown quantity.

I needn't have worried at all as the warm welcome was an insight into the warmth of the hospitality of the evening. After chatting with the President and his wife over drinks, we were seated at the top table where our places were labelled in a traditional style.

The first panic set in when I caught sight of the programme, which identified me as making a response to a toast to the Guests and Ladies. What on earth did that mean? Panic over! The President assured me that all that was needed was a thank you and a short speech. Phew!

Promoting Folkestone as a venue for such tournaments is easy as the weather for their week had been perfect and the view of the hills from the clubhouse was awesome. Presenting the prizes was a privilege but was surpassed by the incredible friendliness of the competitors, who included us in all the celebrations.

Everyone assured us that they had really enjoyed being in our corner of Kent and praised the facilities and members of the Folkestone Bowls Club.