Tuesday, December 09, 2014

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club

Report from the Minigolfer's Christmas 'Do' 2014.

The players after the London Skittles competition at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Crazy Skittlers

This year our annual festive jaunt took us to The Freemasons Arms, home to London's last remaining Skittle Alley and the historic Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club.

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Emily playing London Skittles

After reading about the game some years ago and a visit to the pub after a Hopping tournament in 2012 we made the booking to play a game of London Skittles in the basement alley for our Christmas tournament.

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd launches into action

With reigning champion Emily leading one team and multiple-time former winner of Christmas shenanigans Brad captaining the other the other players were picked by number before we got straight into playing.

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
'Squire' Richard throwing a little off course

Emily led the proceedings and with a choice of three different 'cheeses' stepped up and scored an end of 5 with her three goes to get the competition underway.

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
A pair of 'Cheeses'

The winner's of the team tournament were 'Lemony's Lobbers' who defeated 'Team Frugal' with a scoreline of 178 to 176!

Lemony's Lobbers - 2014 Christmas 'Do' Champions. From l-r Jon Angel, Steve Gow, Alan Norman, John Moore, Emily Gottfried, Richard Gottfried at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Lemony's Lobbers - 2014 Christmas 'Do' Champions. From l-r Jon Angel, Steve Gow, Alan Norman, John Moore, Emily Gottfried, Richard Gottfried

This year's losers and runners-up, Team Frugal. From l-r Paul O'Connor, Chris Jones, Brad Shepherd, Trevor 'Lord of Smeeth' Robertson, Richard Linden, Seth Thomas at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
This year's losers and runners-up, Team Frugal. From l-r Paul O'Connor, Chris Jones, Brad Shepherd, Trevor 'Lord of Smeeth' Robertson, Richard Linden, Seth Thomas

The overall individual was once again Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd with a total of 44, having been the only player to score a double-digit end in the two-hour tournament. Newcastle's John Moore and Surrey's Steve Gow tied for second.

The Big Cheese - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
The Big Cheese - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd

Baby Bel - Alan 'Stormin' Norman at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Baby Bel - Alan 'Stormin' Norman

Our instructor for the evening, Pete, was a great coach and referee giving us plenty of hints & tips and history of the game and venue. We also learned some of the terminology of the game for good shots, bad shots, pin layouts and more.

The final scores of the London Skittles competition at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
The final scores

We'd definitely play again and recommend London Skittles at the Freemasons Arms as a great night out.

The Freemasons Arms in Hampstead, home of the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

Check out the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club website for more information on London Skittles and for booking enquiries, as well as some videos showing the game as it was in the 1930's and as it is now.

The Lawn Billiards game that forms part of the club's name is a long extinct sport, but you can still view Lawn Billiards artifacts in the club's alley.

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
While one team is throwing, two of the opposing team's players act as pin setters and cheese returners

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Emily readying herself for a lob

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Richard preparing for a shot

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
John Moore getting in the swing

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Five scored

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Pin setting and cheese rolling

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Chris 'Stretch' Jones on a leisurely stroll up the alley

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Trevino in action

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Big Al in full flight

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Jon Angel with a great shot up the middle
  
London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Alan 'Stormin' Norman throwing a cheese

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
London Skittles team competition results

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
London Skittles individual competition results

Minigolfer's Christmas Shenanigans Hall of Fame
2014 - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd - London Skittles Individual Championship
2014 - Lemony's Lobbers (Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, Alan 'Stormin' Norman, John 'Big Al' Moore, Jon 'Occasional' Angel, 'Big' Stevie Gow) - London Skittles Team Championship
2013 – Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried – World Boules Le Noël Champignonship
2012 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Riverclose Worlds UnProfessional Minigolfer's Darts Championship
2011 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Rivernear Worlds Professional Crazy Golfers Darts Championships
2010 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas Minigolf 9-Hole Putting Green Sudden Death Challenge
2010 – Keith 'Doc' Kellard & Jon 'El Pato' Angel (Team KJ Choice) – Sim BIG Golf Par-3's of the World Doubles Challenge
2009 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas-themed Crazy Golf at Devonshire Square
Before Records Began – Lionel ‘The Spoon’ Bender – Crazy Golf Contest

Links
- London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
- London Skittles on Facebook
- The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

Related blog posts:
- Report from the Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Shenanigans ‘Do’ in London 2013
- The Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Darts ‘Do’ 2012 in London
- Crazy Golfers Christmas 'Do' in London 2011 - Darts Tournament at Rileys Victoria!
- The Minigolfers Christmas 'Do' 2010
- 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square
- A London Pub & Jumble Sale Crawl
- Another New Game Played - Northamptonshire Skittles
- Behold...
- Tenpin Bowling

1 comment:

Richard Gottfried said...

Videos from the Minigolfer's Christmas 'Do' 2014 which took place at The Freemasons Arms in Hampstead.

This year the group played the historic game of 'London Skittles' at the last remaining skittle alley in the capital. The group were coached by a member of the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club.

- Brad Shepherd shows he's not bad at the game.

- The evening's individual champion (and Captain of the losing team) Brad Shepherd shows of his skittles skills.

- Richard Gottfried gives the game a go.

- Steve Gow takes a wicket in Skittles Cricket.

- Trevor 'Trevino/Lord of Smeeth' Robertson has a good end of Skittles.

A blog about the visit and competition can be found at London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club.

Visit the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club website for more information on the game and for booking enquiries.