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Bowls Pairs 2025
The regions flat green bowlers were looking forward to a record turnout in the Pairs event with 5 pairs ready to play and a reserve standing by. Unfortunately things didn’t work out as anticipated and on the day we were reduced to four pairs and no reserve. Further problems on the morning of the event meant we were left with just three pairs and one stalwart (Keith.W) agreeing to drop out. The above resulted in just one match being played in each of the three sessions. Teams were drawn from the hat this year with three players ‘seeded’ so that no two seeded players played together. This was to encourage the newer players to come again (and not potentially) get walloped. I say potentially because the one ‘newbie’ who turned up produced some splendid bowls and was unanimously voted ‘player of the day’ (Suzanne.M).
The winning pair was Chris.P and Suzanne.M who drew the first match 9-9 with Mick.A and Paul.W and won their second 20-5 against Chris.R and Ray.A. The game between Chris and Ray against Mick and Paul resulted in a win for Chris and Ray by 18 - 7. It is hoped that the singles event to be played on August 7th will attract a few more people and give us a full days bowling.
Our small friendly group would love to hear from you if you play bowls or would like to learn with a view to joining us in the future. Anyone interested please contact Chris on curryhoop@googlemail.com .
Gravesend hit the lanes!
Thank you HASSRA for the free Ten Pin bowling taster day, Gravesend had their evening on 22/05/2025. Here's a few photos of the evening spent with brilliant colleagues!
Southampton Go Bowling!
Thanks so much HASSRA for our FREE bowling. For the second year running we were able to enjoy bowling with colleagues and friends. A chance to chat and have fun outside work, to get to know new colleagues and enjoy each other’s company.
As Southampton has 5 affiliated offices, we are so grateful to HASSRA SE for allowing us to book 3 venues, 3 days and 3 times. We were able to send the top scores to Dave for the chance to have the honour be included in the team to represent HASSRA SE but whatever everyone had such a great time! Any chance of a repeat next year?
Some quotes received “We had a great afternoon bowling; we laughed and had a thoroughly entertaining time. Looking to organise another ten-pin bowling outing later in the year. Thank you HASSRA!
“We all had a great time , lots of laughs, especially without the lane bumpers! We can’t believe it’s free, thank you HASSRA!
Darts - September Festival Qualifier 2025
The annual London & South East Darts qualifier for the September Festival took place at Rileys, Victoria on Friday 25th April and was attended by Carl Mayhew, Matthew Willing, Ray Allen, Louis Pearson, Dave Philp, Teresa Connarty and Hannah Young.
The men took part in a round robin competition which was fiercely contested over 3 legs a match. Louis showed his dominance throughout scoring highly in every game and even hit a few 180’s across the day.
Louis (left) with the London winner, Alan Graham.
The final standings for the Men’s tournament are as follows:
- Louis Pearson
- Ray Allen
- Dave Philp
- Matt Willing
- Carl Mayhew
For the women’s part of the draw only 2 attended from South East and 1 from London.
All 3 played their own round robin competition which was won by London’s Marjorie.
She was followed in second place by Hannah Young with Teresa Connarty in third.
To finish off this day we decided that the London Winner should play off against our winner Louis.
After dominating the first leg but not being able to finish on a double Louis found himself 1 down. He turned this around quickly and before you had time to breath, he was in total control winning the match 2-1.
Louis will hopefully take this form to the Festival giving South East the best chance we have had in the male competition for a few years. Other festival places will be confirmed shortly.
My thanks to all who took part and made this an enjoyable day for all.
Cheers Dave, a good day and great fun!
Pool - September Festival Qualifier 2025
Another good day, co-organised with the London region.
Congratulations to our winner, Paul Jenner and to Dhanesh Ramdoyal who finished as the runner up.
Matt Willing was also runner up in the joint regions plate competition.
Great fun, played in a lovely sprit all day so thanks to all involved.
Footgolf Taster Day
On 11th April 2025, on a hot sunny day in Copthorne 31 HASSRA members and 2 guests took part in the annual Footgolf Festival Qualifier and Taster Day.
The course was perfect, and everyone was in good spirits looking forward to the experience ahead.
The Men’s side of the competition was won by Joe Johal with a brilliant score of 58, closely followed by Colin Tyler on 61 and Dave Philp on 62.
The Women’s side of the draw was won by Mary Struthers with an incredible 63 followed by Marie McCormick on 68 and Robyn McDonald with 72.
Click here for the full score list
The winners and runners up will be given the chance to represent HASSRA South East in the July Festival and have really earned their place with these great scores.
For the rest it was an enjoyable Taster Day, and much fun was had by all.
Please look out for more Taster Days being launched by HASSRA South East in the next few Months.
Indoor Climbing Taster Day
On Friday 21st March 2025 there was yet another HASSRA South East first as we staged a new taster day for our members, and this time it was Indoor Climbing.
23 intrepid members gathered at the Castle Climbing Centre in London to commence battle with the many obstacles put in their way. With climbing and bouldering to name a couple they stuck together and accomplished so many feats of bravery and skill, pushing themselves well past their comfort zones in the process.
With two solid hours of climbing, all really deserved some time out afterwards to refresh themselves at the local hostelries. I must say that so many of those involved had a fantastic time and all had pushed through and accomplished so much on the day. A massive well done to all that took part.
I look forward to seeing more and more of you at these amazing taster days that we at HASSRA South East continue to provide for our lovely membership.
Well organised Dave, and here's what one of the climbers had to say:
"The HASSRA day at Castle Climbing centre was fantastic. I never thought I would be able to achieve what I did and I loved every minute. The staff there were fantastic and really encouraged us all. I met some lovely people from different areas in DWP and had a great day all round. My new mantra is ‘you’re never too old!" Shelley Hunter (above 3rd image on the right).
Curling Taster Day
Our members had a great time at our free curling day recently, thanks to Liam for organising.
A new venue near Paddington, here's to the next one!!
Local Club Event Subsidy Scheme!
Last Sunday HASSRA members from Southampton took full advantage of the new HASSRA SE Local Club Event Subsidy Scheme to try out a pottery painting session for 2 hours. We chatted, painted and had a thoroughly great time, everyone wants to go again before Christmas. We used my grandson Jonah’s hand print to decorate a plate, I like useful items. Other members painted mugs, jugs, trinket boxes and lots more.
Mid-October a bigger group are all set to go to our local bingo, perhaps we will win some money but even if we don’t it will be great to have a laugh and relax. Luckily I am told the console will cross your numbers off for you, we just need to shout bingo!!
Thanks HASSRA SE, it’s a brilliant scheme!!
Southampton keep it clean.
With the huge success of our Sustainable Charity Fashion Show, Southampton JCP HASSRA members continued their Sustainability Challenge.
On Sunday 28/7/24, HASSRA members went on a litter pick around Southampton Common. We received thanks from people enjoying their walks and it felt good knowing we were making a difference. It was great fun having the chat you don’t get time for at work.
We then adjourned to the local pub and had breakfast together, agreeing that we would certainly go litter picking and have breakfast again together!!
HASSRA members go NUTS!
HASSRA NUTS challenge obstacle course taster day report: unfortunately on the day only 4 people take to the course but it’s safe to say that over the following two and a half hours, 5.5km and dozens of obstacles, they had a pretty good time.
The weather on the day was not the best, rather wet for June but what did that matter when we were going to be jumping in rivers and getting soaked anyway!! We all had an amazing experience, challenging ourselves personally to achieve things we didn’t think we could. We also worked well as a team, and laughed a lot which is therapeutic in itself! The setting was great, the countryside beautiful and we even saw a fawn in the woods wondering what on earth we were doing! The river and mud did not disappoint us and we were suitably covered by the end. We all had an amazing time and would love to try the longer course and even more obstacles if HASSRA were to put the event on again. Organiser Clint was an excellent advocate of the NUTS experience, his enthusiasm, encouragement and knowledge of the course was brilliant! You can read the full write up HERE.
Rolling on the Greens
The regions flat green bowlers were once again lucky with the weather for the Singles and Pairs events this summer, both being played at White Rock Gardens, Hastings. It was pleasing that after the 2023 events had to be cancelled due to lack of numbers the section got back to contesting both events.
First up at the end of June was the Pairs where Chris Rolph and Keith Waters repeated their 2022 success. Four pairs playing in a round robin group in which Keith and Chris dominated winning all three matches comfortably. Chris picked up the trophy for the sixth time, for Keith it was his third success. Honourable mention to the runners up Ray Allen and Chris Price.
The beginning of August was the date for the singles event played with eight entrants, Keith W missing out (resting his ‘gammy leg’). Two groups played out all play all leagues and the group winners and Runners Up made their way to the Semi Finals. For the eighth time ‘Bowls Organiser’ for the region Chris R prevailed this time beating Lee Vickers in the final 15-4. Losing semi finalists were an ever improving Lindsey Richardson and Gary Vickers. It was pleasing that on this occasion we were able to welcome new bowler Ivan Marshall to the group and despite his three expected defeats he informed us that he enjoyed the day and would be back next year.
Our small friendly group would love to hear from you if you play bowls or would like to learn with a view to joining us in 2025. Anyone interested please contact Chris on curryhoop@googlemail.com .
HASSRA SE Golf Society.
The 2024 golfing season teed off at Chartham Park golf club in April, a venue we have been to for a number of years. The day comprised of a 9 hole team event in the morning followed by our usual 18 hole individual stableford in the afternoon. The team event was a Texas scramble and was won by Brian Skilton, Alex Jack and Sam Armadass. In the afternoon the individual event was won by Wayne Catlin on 33 points after countback with John Tranter taking the runners up spot. Nearest the pin went to Steve Stockham and Wayne taking the nearest the pin in two prize.
May saw a return to one of our favourite courses at Hoebridge near Woking. Our individual stableford event saw 4 players all finishing on 37 points, Wayne Catlin, Brian Skilton, Gavin Hall and Paul Fuller. Wayne won the trophy after countback with Steve Stockham again claiming the nearest the pin prize and Brian the nearest the pin in two.
The June event saw us at a new club for the Society, North Downs near Guildford. This was our Regional qualifier for the national HASSRA golf event which takes place in September at Warwick. We had 12 players competing in a medal competition for the titles of scratch winner or nett winner along with the society individual stableford prize. The scratch event was won by Mark Harrop with 81 strokes and the nett event by Richard Mole on 78 strokes. Both players will go forward to represent the Region at the HASSRA nationals. The society stableford event was won by Mark Dunn with 26 points. Nearest the pin went to Sam Armadass and nearest the pin in two to Mark Cresswell.
The first half of the season finished with our annual Trew Cup event against London and East of England Regions. It was our turn to host the event which we held at Hoebridge Golf Club, we were also defending the trophy which we won in 2023. The event was made up of 10 players from each Region going out in groups of 3 with the winner of each group getting 3 points for their Region, second 2 points and third 1 point. With the weather being kind to us it was a very close competition for 2nd and 3rd places with the winners having a commanding lead. In third place on 17 points was East of England Region with ourselves as runners up on 18.5 and London Region with an excellent 24.5 points. There were also prizes for nearest the pin and best individual score for each Region. John Tranter won nearest the pin and Carlo Barbieri best score for our Region. An excellent day was had by all competitors and we look forward to renewing rivalries in East of England Region in 2025.
There are 3 further golf days to come in July, September and October.
Click HERE for more details on our Golf Society.
Southampton Strike a Pose!
What can we say but Southampton Office is brilliant and thank you. We have been supporting Mountbatten Hampshire Hospice for 7 years now.
In the past 6 years we have raised in excess of £6500! (this is an astounding amount especially as we aren’t a business). Since the beginning of this year, 2024 we have raised an amazing £5000 plus- totalling £11,500,
But the year isn’t over yet, can we raise as much in the rest of the year as we have in the previous 6 years? Of course we can!! How have we done it?
Apart from our smaller fundraising events, 28 colleagues, friends and families took up the HASSRA April Challenge.
These wonderful people either walked, ran, swam or cycled a total of 6229.2 kilometres in April and our team came top! HASSRA awarded us a fantastic £1600. Thanks to all participants and thanks to HASSRA.
Then there was the Models for Mountbatten, sustainable fashion show, we were joined by the Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Dave Shields. What an evening, it was genuinely brilliantly enjoyable. Pauline put together the costumes and the cat walk, so professional, so much fun. Community came together. The fashion show was a great opportunity to highlight the excellent work that Mountbatten Hampshire Hospice does. It was a fun event which had members of Southampton Jobcentre, St James Road Methodist Church, Southampton City Council and the local neighbourhood coming together to do something amazing. We raised awareness of the Charity and the issue of sustainable fashion but most importantly we raised over £2800 for such a worthy cause. Too many colleagues to thank personally, the models, the volunteers on and before the day and everyone who supported the raffle or in any other way. THANK YOU. You continue to make a difference.
Enjoy the photos above and thanks again! Pauline and Donna, Southampton Committee.
Eastbourne take to the lanes.
Ramsgate get rolling.
Ramsgate HASSRA Club arranged a Ten Pin Bowling Event at Bugsy’s in Margate on the 18th May using the fantastic South-East Taster Day offer!
27 HASSRA members attended, each member playing 2 games, roll on the next one!
Gravesend go for it.
Southampton strike out!
Thanks to HASSRA SE on 22/5/24, 14 members plus 2 last minute replacements(due to sickness) turned up to Hollywood Bowls in Southampton for 2 free games of bowling and a free drink. What a way to relax, well competitively relax, that is!! The whole group had great fun and competition was rife. Members said that it was great to meet up, chat and socialise with colleagues from other teams in our offices and members who remain affiliated to Southampton HASSRA, even though they have moved to other departments, employers or have retired. A big thanks to the HASSRA SE Committee for a brilliant idea and giving us an opportunity to enjoy ourselves and what’s more for FREE!!
Eastbourne Macmillan Charity presentation
Thank you everyone at St Annes/Grove Road Jobcentres, who came to join us for Bacon Rolls - Unfortunately we couldn't get a representative from Macmillan but we still did a small cheque presentation.
You helped raise an amazing £650 for them - a spokesperson from Macmillan did say "We’re so sorry to hear about the loss of your colleague. Please remember we are here for anyone that has been affected by cancer. You can call our team of specialist advisers, currently 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm on 0808 808 0000 or visit macmillan.org.uk where we have a great online community who can help.
It’s fantastic that you have held a charity auction and want to donate the funds to Macmillan in memory of your colleague. £650 could pay for a Macmillan nurse for 20 hours helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support. You really are making a difference to the lives of those who need us, and we can’t thank you enough."Thank you again guys - You are all Amazing!
