It’s only gone and happened - The Bowls Club has officially rolled into London for the Ultimate Summer Party. The 29th of May is a date that should go down in events history. A date where not only did I (Mr Owls himself) done my finest attire but also one where Summer 2024 lawfully started. After all, no company social, away day or after-work drinking session is truly worth noting in the record books until The Bowls Club rolls into town.
Our launch party was a roaring success - there’s no doubt about it, really. The world-famous Finsbury Square was transformed into the home of The Bowls Club, with flowers galore, tunes that had everyone shaking their tail feather and the wafts of street food so mouth-wateringly delicious, it even made me speechless for more than 30 seconds [and, for anyone that knows me, they’ll know that’s a true feat!]. The team was extraordinary in every way. They planned. They built. They floralled. They preened. They transformed a much-underused outdoor space into a smorgasbord of fun, excitement and healthy competition.
Guests walked in through the rose-encrusted archway, straight into the loving hands of our great and powerful team at The Clubhouse. After a quick selfie with our very own skyscraper-challenging stilt walker, wrists adorned with the right bands and drink in hand, they then settled into our Welcome Bar. A new addition for 2024, this is where the magic begins to fizzle. Where colleagues and friends alike take their first sips of success before stepping out into the piece-de-resistance - The Bowls Club's main grounds. With the DJ booth to the right filling their ears with the finest tunes, harems of bowlers awaiting their call and parasols to make sure the London sunshine doesn’t get too oppressive, there was nothing quite like it. Oh and don’t forget the entertaining scribbles of our Caricaturists or the awe-inspiring tricks from our Magicians - there truly was everything.
We were also privileged enough to host the Peroni Capri Boccino stand on this momentous date. Bringing to life the Italian bowling game, Bocci, a blue and white arched haven played host to lemon-wrapped florals and the opportunity to experience another form of boules for our guests. With an ice-cold Peroni in hand, the tingle of citrus notes on their tongue and a boccio ball too, many a giggle could be heard filling the air as guests battled it out to achieve even more sporting accolades throughout the night.
Our Welcome Bar served up an assemblage of delightful drinks, from ice-cold Peronis to warming Ojo De Dios Paloma’s and hand-crafted mocktails for those looking to preserve their sporting prowess. When the first rumblings of hunger began, our three incredible Food Partners stepped in to assist. Nanny Bills, home of the most succulent burgers you’ll ever sink your teeth into, rustled up such wonders as The Bowler - our EXCLUSIVE aged beef patty, topped with American cheese, burnt butter mayo and pink onions served in a seeded bun. Chick’N’Sours - also known as the birthplace of unreal fried chicken - rolled in with three different chicken tender options, including our personal favourite, The Kung Pao tenders drizzled with sweet soy and Szechuan sauce, spring onions, pickled chilli and sesame seeds. And finally, our very own Mai Dim Sum served up dumplings and bao buns that exploded with flavour, alongside their world-famous prawn toast which our very own Chairman {David Wandleberry} is particularly enamoured with. If the smells drifting through the hoards of sporting legends didn’t draw you in, seeing so many people rolling their eyes back in sheer pleasure while enjoying their meal certainly did.
Once our guests had been fed and watered, it was time to move on to the main show. The Bowling Green is a sacred place - one where magic is made and legends are crowned. Stepping up to the plate, myself and my equally passionate team of lawn bowls phenomenons walked our guests through the rules (which are pretty simple, if I do say so myself). The aim of the game is to get your bowl closest to the Jack - the closest wins! And I have to say, there is nothing quite like the clack of a bowl against another, the cheer of a crowd as someone achieves victory and the joy that lawn bowls creates - it truly is something else.
But wait - the fun didn’t stop there! Once all our bowlers had discovered their new talents, it was time for The Great British Bowl Off. The ULTIMATE chance to take one’s team to unrivalled victory and gain a place on our podium. Plucking eager players from the crowd, each person had ONE chance to roll their bowl closest to the Jack. Tensions were high. Excitement was palpable. Hey - even I broke a little sweat around the ole’ collar! But if there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s that those that won (and even those that didn’t) left the green with jaw-acheing smiles.
The Launch Party was also a chance to celebrate all of the hard work that every member of our team put into making The Bowls Club LDN a roaring success - and a success it certainly was! Staying open late into the evening, we were all able to appreciate the warm summer’s air with a cold Paloma or Peroni wrapped into our fingers. The best news though? The Bowls Club will be back in Finsbury Square for many more select dates over the summer so even if you missed our first event, there’s still a chance to come along!
We have limited availability for bowling packages throughout 2024 but would love to have you down with us. Speak to our Sales team today and let’s get your rink secured at London’s Ultimate Summer Party!
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