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Rhydlewis Village Hall
Events and Clubs
This is a new page on our website to provide information regarding events that are happening in Rhydlewis Village Hall.
Eisteddfod in the Village Hall
Each year the village hall hosts this event for the local community. All are welcome to come and participate or support this marvellous event.
If you want more information you can contact Alan Davies on 01239 851 605 or by e-mail address alan.davies6@hotmail.com.
More about the National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod of Wales can be traced back to 1176 when it is said that the first Eisteddfod was held, under the auspices of Lord Rhys, at his castle in Cardigan. There he held a grand gathering to which were invited poets and musicians from all over the country. A chair at the Lord's table was awarded to the best poet and musician, a tradition that prevails in the modern day National Eisteddfod.
Following 1176, many eisteddfodau were held throughout Wales, under the patronage of Welsh gentry and noblemen. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, an Eisteddfod of historical significance was held at the Ivy Bush Inn in Carmarthen, when the Gorsedd of Bards first became officially associated with this national event. By this time, the Eisteddfod had developed in to a fully-fledged folk festival on a large scale.
In 1880, the National Eisteddfod association was formed and charged with the responsibility of staging an annual festival to be held in North and South Wales alternately, and with the exception of 1914 and 1940, this target has been successfully achieved.
For website on "The National Eisteddfod of Wales" click here
Short Mat Bowling Club
Every Tuesday and Friday
The Short Mat Bowling Club is held in the village hall every Tuesday and Friday 7pm - 10pm. We are a small friendly club with a membership of 20 adults and 10 juniors. We have had three successful league seasons, improving our final position each year from fifth to second last year.
We have one adult and one junior member representing Wales. We also have two coaches so any prospective new members can be assured of a warm welcome and help to learn or improve their game.
If you are interested in joining this club, either come along or contact Alan Davies on 01239 851 605 .
History of the Rhydlewis Village Short Mat Bowling Club
- The club was formed in March 2004.
- Competed in the County League in 2005-06 and came 5th out of 12
- 2006-07 came 3rd
- 2007-08 came 2nd
- 2008-09 came top of the league
- 2009 will again see the club top of the league
History of Short Mat Bowls
(taken from the WSMBA rule book)
The origins of the game are lost in the mists of time but it is thought that the game was first played by two South Africans living in South Wales, who, fed up with the wet climate and not able to play bowls outdoors, simulated the game indoors. They later moved to Northern Ireland and introduced the game there.
This is similar to another version of the origin in which the game is reputed to have started in the 1920s in Northern Ireland when an outdoor team had their bowls match rained off and took refuge in their local church hall. To pass the time they started bowling on the bare floor until someone suggested it would be easier to bowl on a carpet.
The first record of a club is that Ballymacarret Presbyterian Church which has a photograph dated 1929 showing the Minister bowling on a 3ft wide mat through a hoop. Other references to that past period mention playing with no fenders or touchers and even a flat multi-sided wooden jack which is still in existence.
The Welsh Short Mat Bowls Association was formed in 1987 to introduce and develop the game throughout Wales. County associations were formed before this, the earliest being Clwyd, followed by Gwynedd and then Montgomery. All clubs and counties who play short mat bowls in Wales are eligible to affiliate to the WSMBA and to take part in its activities. The Governing Body of the WSMBA comprises elected members from the counties or regions and has subsidiary committees specifically covering umpiring and coaching.
The WSMBA is responsible for organising and selecting the Welsh team to play in international matches as well as arranging the national competitions.