TLH Leisure Resort, Torquay

Hi - Dru Close here - every time I venture onto, or near a bowling green this season I get wet, but it seems that the sun only shines on the righteous, because on the day of the TLH Leisure Resort sponsored Men’s National Top Club, the weather was superb.

Picture this, it’s Sunday 10^th August at Beach House Park in Worthing and the semi finals of the Men’s National Top Club are underway with the last 4 clubs in the country battling to win this prestigious trophy. They are the finalists from an entry of 788 clubs. The sun is shining, there is a cool breeze blowing in from the sea, a church bell is ringing, the bowling promises to be brilliant and the company auspicious. It’s ideal, what could be better?

Backworth WelfareBC from Northumberland v the Essex boys from Romford BC

on one green with  Aldershot Traction Athletic BC, Hampshire v Garston BC Hertfordshire next door.

You know, watching men play bowls is always an education, the enthusiasm of the players and the noise generated by the spectators is something to behold. There are some nail biting moments as the game progresses but the finalists are eventually decided. I’s going to be my Essex boys (‘cause I’m an Essex Girl) from Romford V Aldershot Traction Athletic from Hampshire, but before the finals start I am treated to the lunch of a lifetime.

As a representative from TLH Leisure Resort, the sponsors of this competition, I have been invited to have lunch with the England Executive. I join Cliff Waterman the England President, Tony Alcock the Chief Executive and other Officers of Bowls England, Geoff Day the IBA President and a gentleman who has inspired more people than you can shake a stick at, David Bryant.  His bowling record is second to none and his after-lunch speech a joy to listen to. All lunches should be this pleasant.

2.00pm and the Final is underway. Romford lose the 2 wood singles but win the 4 wood singles. The Essex boys are down in the Pairs but its close in the Rinks and Triples. With 10 ends to go across the board things are starting to get tense. The Romford pair are staging a come back, taking some shots from Aldershot on consecutive ends, but its short lived and eventually they lose 20 11.

The Romford  rink are well up with a 5 shot difference and it all going to hang on the triples. 17 ends and the triples are all square at 12 shots each. It’s the last end and it will be the deciding end of the match. The Romford lead nails the jack and and sits 2” short. The Hampshire lead makes a great reply but the jack looks secure. None of the other players shift the shot bowl or the jack as the head builds but it is a great end to watch. The Romford bowls stay on that jack as if glued to the spot. Remember it’s this end that will decide the game. Can you feel the tension?

The Aldershot skip, David Dunford,  plays his first two bowls just narrowly missing the shot bowl but the bowl of the Championships is just about to be played. With the precision of a brain surgeon David plays his last bowl, the course is good, the pace is good and we hold our breath as the bowl approaches the head, the players are all yelling at the bowl (it won’t help the bowl but it does make you feel better) Yes you’ve guessed it, he draws round the shot bowl, gently lifts the jack and Romford go 2 down on the game.

Shouts of delight mix with groans of disappointment. The Romford 4’s who are winning don’t need to play their last bowls as Hampshire have won 3 disciplines to two which gives them the Trophy. Its mayhem on the green, much back slapping, jumping up and down, punching the air, and high 5’s.

Then the presentations, each competitor is presented with a National TLH Top Club lapel badge, newly struck by TLH Leisure Resort. There is also a beautiful cut glass trophy that each club takes home with them as a souvenir of the event and of course the National Trophy, which is big enough to hold several bottles of celebratory Champagne!

Its been a great day and I have rubbed shoulders with the rich and the famous. The weather held and there was a great crowd of spectators.

I now look forward to the National Women’s TLH  Top Club which takes place on home ground in Torquay . That’s over the weekend of 20^th and 21^st September and promises to be a great tournament, real party atmosphere.  I’ll be doing a bit of marking at that one, but that will be another story.

For anyone wanting to come along to watch some great competetitive bowling for the weekend, it’s not too late to book to stay for the weekend at T

Signing off

Dru Close

Calling All-weather Bowlers.

Based at TLH Leisure Resort in Torquay, our intrepid team of hardy bowlers could never be dissuaded. Whether playing against touring sides, in tournaments or a local club in a league, most bowlers are determined to enjoy themselves. So, we have donned our waterproofs and looking like groups of flour graders we step onto the green to do battle.

Lightening has flashed and thunder rolled accross the heavens, and at one point, I could have sworn that I saw Noah at the helm of his ark mooring in Torbay to take shelter. Ducks landed in puddles forming on the greens, and some of the spectators even had fishing rods ready, just in case the tide washed up the odd cod or haddock.

But seriously, Torbay is a beautiful place to visit for any bowling team. There is so much to see and do in the area and the local clubs who host games are so very friendly. The views are superb and greens are amongst some of the best in the South West. No doubt some of you have played on greens like ploughed fields, but Torbay greens are fast and free, and very well manicured, (sounds like a skip I know). Aberdon Bowling Club, from Aberdeen, will vouch for this, having spent a glorious week here on the English Riviera a few weeks ago.

On the whole, this summer has not really been that bad and in the South West we generally have milder weather, I understand it’s because we are just that bit closer to the equator than the rest of the country.  Better still, the long range weather forecast shows 2009 as having a super summer with tropical condidtions over Torbay, its just the ticket, but can you trust ‘em, remember Michael Fish?

As the summer season draws to a close and we hang our waterproofs up to dry one last time, we can look forward to bowling in warm arenas when the only thing we have to worry about is holding back the bowls so they don’t roll straight into the ditch, but thats another story

To all the teams that have visited TLH Leisure Resort this summer, we thank you for your sportsmanship, humour and great competition. You are a pleasure to work with.

 This is Dru Close - signing off!

If you are a fan of TV’s Strictly Dancing and really want to learn to ballroom dance then consider a ballroom dance holiday at the Victoria Hotel in Torquay.

Guys, do you fancy yourself as a dashing Brendan Cole or a new Matthew Cutler? Or Ladies do you see yourself as a Nicole Cutler or Flavia Cacace? Well you can with our fantastic dancing breaks!

Our ballroom dance learning weekends are hosted in our elegant Warwick Ballroom and are hosted by Pam Peters our professional ballroom dance teacher. Pam likes to give the experience the ‘fun’ element and you are sure to improve your ballroom steps whilst on this learning weekend.

When you learn to ballroom dance you get far more than just tuition; our package includes 2 nights dinner, bed and breakfast and of course professional dance tuition from Pam each day. The day is always completed with dancing every evening where you have the opprtunity to try out your new found dancing skills.

Ballroom dancing is fun, sometimes sophisticated, sometimes exhilarating and always rewarding! With more and more people taking up ballroom dancing as a hobby, there has never been a better time to learn, and who knows, you too could be dancing your way to a top-prize soon!

We have a number of dance holidays available throughout the year at our Torquay Hotels, see our 2008 dancing holiday calendar

See the latest information from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing

A recent article in the Sun newspaper has stated pretty much what we all know be true - that after the excesses of the festive season, most of us will be thinking about a New Year detox. They go on to list the best places to take a pamper-filled spa break – as favoured by the stars – and feature our very own Aztec Spa, a favourite of TV soap celebrities Susan Penhaligon and Rebekah Gibbs.

So what have you done so far to get into shape for the new year? If the answer is nothing – then take a look at the list of treatments available at the Aztec Spa – quite a few are designed specifically to help you detox and shape up.

Kerry, our senior therapist, really recommends the Elemis Fennel Cleansing Cellulite and Colon Therapy – this intensive 55 minute therapy helps with fluid retention, poor circulation, and can help ease a congested digestive system. As well as cleansing your body, it will also leave your skin feeling firmer and smoother to the touch. Another great detox treatment is the Elemis Cellutox Aroma Spa Wrap.

And if you’re suffering with Winter skin, try the Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial. After a course of treatments, your skin’s radiance will be restored and it can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Don’t forget your hands and feet either, as they’ll really benefit from a luxury manicure or pedicure.

What are you waiting for - put some time aside and get a kick-start for 2008 in the luxurious surroundings of the Aztec Spa. There’s a full list of treatments available on the TLH Leisure Resort website, plus details about our latest Spa Breaks which include an overnight stay at the lovely Carlton Hotel, or you can call the Spa Team for advice on 01803 400190.
   

The current series of “Strictly Come Dancing” has got many people hooked, watching world class dancers encourage popular celebrities in achieving great things on the dance floor. And if you are tempted to take to the floor yourself, then Torquay hotel group, TLH Leisure Resort is the ideal place to go.

International dance stars, Warren and Kristie Boyce, have recently been inspiring other dancers in a special demonstration at TLH Leisure Resort. The couple, who started dancing together in 2000 demonstrated the five ballroom dances to a group of dancing students in a one-off exciting display. TLH – well known for its ballroom dancing holidays and events – was hosting a special week with the world famous dance teacher Lynette Boyce.

 Warren and Kristie, who began their career in the youth category where they were crowned under 21 champions less than three weeks after they began dancing together, give dance demonstrations all over the world on the art of ballroom dancing but this was the first time they have been to TLH. Last year they were crowned IDU World Champions having won all five dances. They are also record five times holders of the British National Amateur Ballroom Championships.

Even if you don’t aspire to be a world champion, many of the dance holidays held at TLH Leisure Resort include tuition and demonstrations so you can learn and improve. A full calendar of events can be found on the dance section of their website, with a wide range of holidays hosted by some of the country’s leading dance teachers. There are also events for complete novices, plus the resort’s Victoria Hotel hosts the internationally acclaimed English Riviera Dance Festival every year.