One balmy afternoon in 1992 a group of what can only be described as, elder gentlemen were sitting by the rink at Aloha Superbowl, enjoying a pleasant drink, watching some people playing a gentle game of bowls, as they had done on many occasions. Suddenly, today, one of the group said "You know chaps this looks easy, we ought to give it a go". So one thing led to another and they all agreed to meet at 11.00 a.m. in two days time. On the due date and time this intrepid bunch arrived and were kitted out with all the required equipment for the days play.
On approaching the rink the first tinglings of apprehension set in so it was decided to sit down and discuss this over a drink. This was important as it set a precedent for things to come. Eventually first feet ventured onto the green with much scratching of heads.
Just then, fortunately or unfortunately, a younger man arrived at the club and was immediately bombarded under a barrage of questions. This chap, himself, had not long been playing but it was assumed he knew all the answers. Well the rules having been established and the regulations ignored (or was it the other way round ?), the young man, who had now been elevated to the exalted position of honary coach strode up the rink, yelled play, and watched the jack come hurtling towards him. He picked the jack up out of the ditch and placed it on the spot which may be why they now always play that way, much to the other teams chagrin.
It was at this moment some wag came through the club gate, looked agape and said "Blimey, this looks like something out of last of the summer wine!". A team was born!
They became, according to themselves, so proficient that the decided to make this a regular thing, henceTuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings are now 'Winers Days' Their rules were set out and the games were played thus. You start off with 2 drinks breaks but to be eligible for these you had to play 4 ends before the 1st break, 4 ends between them and 4 ends after the 2nd break. You then had a much longer drinks break and became as a golfer and held the obituary about the days play.... "Did you see my shotwood on the fourth end ?" and the like.
The last of the Summer Wine players are now becoming so good that the Whities, the other lot, keep asking to borrow Winers to help them out with difficult matches. The Winers themselves have now expanded so much that with a collection of others they take up eight rinks on Sundays. The ladies have now started their own team but that's somebody else's story.
The Winers now have two full day competitions a year and occasionally take on the Whities for a day out. These are all good fun and very enjoyable with members all providing different bits and pieces for lunch. Sometimes they even find a sponsor for which they are always grateful.
Long may the Winers continue as there is one thing they can always say whether they've moved on, up or away, "Once a Winer always a Winer". As in the words of that great Abba song

 'THE WINERS TAKE IT ALL'

Written by: Charles Gavin March 2009