Thursday, August 11, 2011
GARFIELD – LIVING WITH THE BOWLERS
9:20 AM |
2006 – On the occasion of the start of the Garfield League
With the Garfield league starting very soon, I have been asked by Dick and Colin to write a few words about Living with the Bowlers. (They stressed ‘A FEW WORDS’ so I shall try to keep it brief).
The last piece I wrote in 2003 covered the story of my birth near the old Wander Inn at the tennis courts, my ten happy years of living there with my mother, my decision to re-locate to the bowling greens, and my first three years of living with the bowlers. So perhaps this is an appropriate time to bring things up-to-date.
My first home at the bowling greens, as many of you will no doubt remember, was a kennel behind the summer house on the south side of A Green. It was a very secluded spot, which suited me, because I was still “sussing out” the situation there. I do want to say at the outset how very welcome I was made to feel and I never doubted that I had done the right think in moving.
Bowlers are, on the whole, a friendly bunch and I son got used to the “Hello Garfield”, “Hi there, Garfie”, and “Come here Garfield”, with which they greeted me as they arrived for their games. I also got used to the stroking and petting that I got from some of them and I knew that I was a very happy chappy living with the bowlers.
And then came the Night of the Fire – 29th September 2004. Which of us will ever forget the horror? The roar of the fire, the exploding windows, the crashing roof slates, the sirens – it was too awful. My kennel was bombarded with broken glass and slate, and I cowered in terror. When I could take it no longer I fled. Where to? Well, of course, back to the safety of the tennis area. I stayed there all day, crouching in the shrubbery, and then, to my astonishment in the mid-afternoon I heard Brenda calling my name. I crept out and when she saw me she scooped me up in her arms and held me tight. She told me that she had been at the Club since 5am searching for me. She had, during that day, got my kennel moved down to the summerhouse on B Green and we went there together. She stayed with me until I had eaten and had a drink, and then she settled me in my usual sleeping box, and I was alright. And so that became my home for the next couple of years.
I had gone in and out of the old Bowlers’ Lounge just as I wished prior to the fire, and it took some getting used to the marquee and then that awful little tent, but I had my friends around me and that was what mattered.
Then, when the Clubhouse was rebuilt, I was given a very smart wooden kennel on the verandah outside the Bowlers’ Lounge – you know the one I mean. But let’s be honest, I am at heart a feral cat, and I don’t like sleeping in a confined space, so it has taken me a very long time to pluck up the courage to sleep in there. But I’m pleased to say that I am now doing just that. The noise on a Saturday night is a bit of a nuisance, but I have learned to close my ears to it.
There have been ups and downs over the years – like the time that awful black cat from the Hotel bit me on the back of my leg and it went septic. That meant a couple of days in hospital, but fortunately it healed well. The welcome I got when I was taken back the Club was worth every moment of it. I nearly fell off the bank when one crusty old bowler actually leant over and kissed me on the top of my head.
I like to think that I am pretty well-behaved – I know that I am not allowed on the bowling greens, but that I am OK on the bank. Mind you, having said that I recall getting a blasting from Mary Wylie when I walked along the bank at a crucial moment in a competition. (I told her she should have had her eyes on the green and not on the bank!).
Then some little time back we were joined by the bowlers from Houghton. When I first heard that they were coming, I wondered how they would react to me. But I need never have worried. They have been so kind, and I have really just acquired a hundred more bowlers to fuss over me, and for me to enjoy.
I started by saying that I was told to keep it short, but I cannot write this without a mention of the greens staff. They are my friends. They keep an eye on me and I have on many occasions heard them telling Brenda where I am to be found – dozing under a shrub or whatever.
I almost forgot to tell you that when the Club re-opened the Sunday Times did a write-up about it, and guess what – there was a picture of me in the paper. The photographer gave Brenda a beautiful laminated copy and she told me that it is up on the ladies’ notice board. Brenda once told me that I have more friends in the bowling club than any member does. And I do have The Wanderers “colours” on my collar.
I am not a “pushy” sort of fellow but I have to say that I feel flattered and honoured by the fact that this League carries my name. I wish those organising it the very best of luck. I wish the bowlers “good bowling” (how often have I heard that said!!), and it is my sincere wish that it goes well and that we attract even more bowlers to this wonderful Club of ours – which is my home.
with love from Garfield
GARFIELD – BRINGING YOU UP-TO-DATE
2007 - 2011
The last time we chatted was in 2006, on the occasion of the Garfield League. I can’t believe that five years have passed since then. For me, they have been five wonderful years.
There have been two international events during this time. The first was a visit by the English Women’s Bowling Team in February 2009. They were a jolly bunch, and we all got along very well. Their manager was especially friendly and photographed me at every possible opportunity.
This was followed shortly after by the Atlantic Rim Tournament. Sixteen countries entered teams for this event, and it was really exciting. I was particularly impressed with the opening and closing ceremonies when the teams all marched onto A Green to the sound of their national anthems and the respective flags were raised and then, at the end of the competition, they were lowered. I hadn’t realised how many different languages there are in the world, and there were quite a few players who spoke to me, but I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. But, as always, their body language and the vibes were good, so we related well. The English Women’s Team were back for this event, and the manager brought Brenda a laminated copy of one of the photographs she had taken during their previous visit. She wanted it put on the front of my kennel, and this was duly done.
In August 2009 Kevin took over the responsibility for the greens. We just clicked from the word “go” and we are really very good friends. I am always so pleased that on the days when there are no bowlers at the Club, I know that Kevin is there. He calls Brenda “Mother Garfield” and she calls him “Uncle Kevin” (my uncle!).
Quite recently we had some of the Men’s Nationals played at the Club, and I just revelled in the company. I positioned myself on a chair at the entrance to the registrations area, so that I could see them all coming in, and I was amazed at how many greeted me by name. I’m not very modest, am I? This was followed a little later by the Black and White Tournament, again men only, and once again I ‘did my stuff’ in welcoming them at the door. My mother would be very proud of my good manners!
Yes, there have been events at the Club, big and small, and I have been so pleased to see the bowlers enjoying our wonderful facilities. I am always delighted when I hear compliments about the state of our greens, and the Club in general.
But what I really want to say is that the past five years have been very special to me. I am getting older and I am slowing down, by my contentment has never been at a higher level than it is now. I am accepted, and I think for anyone, let alone an old ginger cat, that is something very special. Thank you, one and all for this.
I love you, Garfield
Garfield passed away very peacefully on 24th June 2011
With the Garfield league starting very soon, I have been asked by Dick and Colin to write a few words about Living with the Bowlers. (They stressed ‘A FEW WORDS’ so I shall try to keep it brief).
The last piece I wrote in 2003 covered the story of my birth near the old Wander Inn at the tennis courts, my ten happy years of living there with my mother, my decision to re-locate to the bowling greens, and my first three years of living with the bowlers. So perhaps this is an appropriate time to bring things up-to-date.
My first home at the bowling greens, as many of you will no doubt remember, was a kennel behind the summer house on the south side of A Green. It was a very secluded spot, which suited me, because I was still “sussing out” the situation there. I do want to say at the outset how very welcome I was made to feel and I never doubted that I had done the right think in moving.
Bowlers are, on the whole, a friendly bunch and I son got used to the “Hello Garfield”, “Hi there, Garfie”, and “Come here Garfield”, with which they greeted me as they arrived for their games. I also got used to the stroking and petting that I got from some of them and I knew that I was a very happy chappy living with the bowlers.
And then came the Night of the Fire – 29th September 2004. Which of us will ever forget the horror? The roar of the fire, the exploding windows, the crashing roof slates, the sirens – it was too awful. My kennel was bombarded with broken glass and slate, and I cowered in terror. When I could take it no longer I fled. Where to? Well, of course, back to the safety of the tennis area. I stayed there all day, crouching in the shrubbery, and then, to my astonishment in the mid-afternoon I heard Brenda calling my name. I crept out and when she saw me she scooped me up in her arms and held me tight. She told me that she had been at the Club since 5am searching for me. She had, during that day, got my kennel moved down to the summerhouse on B Green and we went there together. She stayed with me until I had eaten and had a drink, and then she settled me in my usual sleeping box, and I was alright. And so that became my home for the next couple of years.
I had gone in and out of the old Bowlers’ Lounge just as I wished prior to the fire, and it took some getting used to the marquee and then that awful little tent, but I had my friends around me and that was what mattered.
Then, when the Clubhouse was rebuilt, I was given a very smart wooden kennel on the verandah outside the Bowlers’ Lounge – you know the one I mean. But let’s be honest, I am at heart a feral cat, and I don’t like sleeping in a confined space, so it has taken me a very long time to pluck up the courage to sleep in there. But I’m pleased to say that I am now doing just that. The noise on a Saturday night is a bit of a nuisance, but I have learned to close my ears to it.
There have been ups and downs over the years – like the time that awful black cat from the Hotel bit me on the back of my leg and it went septic. That meant a couple of days in hospital, but fortunately it healed well. The welcome I got when I was taken back the Club was worth every moment of it. I nearly fell off the bank when one crusty old bowler actually leant over and kissed me on the top of my head.
I like to think that I am pretty well-behaved – I know that I am not allowed on the bowling greens, but that I am OK on the bank. Mind you, having said that I recall getting a blasting from Mary Wylie when I walked along the bank at a crucial moment in a competition. (I told her she should have had her eyes on the green and not on the bank!).
Then some little time back we were joined by the bowlers from Houghton. When I first heard that they were coming, I wondered how they would react to me. But I need never have worried. They have been so kind, and I have really just acquired a hundred more bowlers to fuss over me, and for me to enjoy.
I started by saying that I was told to keep it short, but I cannot write this without a mention of the greens staff. They are my friends. They keep an eye on me and I have on many occasions heard them telling Brenda where I am to be found – dozing under a shrub or whatever.
I almost forgot to tell you that when the Club re-opened the Sunday Times did a write-up about it, and guess what – there was a picture of me in the paper. The photographer gave Brenda a beautiful laminated copy and she told me that it is up on the ladies’ notice board. Brenda once told me that I have more friends in the bowling club than any member does. And I do have The Wanderers “colours” on my collar.
I am not a “pushy” sort of fellow but I have to say that I feel flattered and honoured by the fact that this League carries my name. I wish those organising it the very best of luck. I wish the bowlers “good bowling” (how often have I heard that said!!), and it is my sincere wish that it goes well and that we attract even more bowlers to this wonderful Club of ours – which is my home.
with love from Garfield
GARFIELD – BRINGING YOU UP-TO-DATE
2007 - 2011
The last time we chatted was in 2006, on the occasion of the Garfield League. I can’t believe that five years have passed since then. For me, they have been five wonderful years.
There have been two international events during this time. The first was a visit by the English Women’s Bowling Team in February 2009. They were a jolly bunch, and we all got along very well. Their manager was especially friendly and photographed me at every possible opportunity.
This was followed shortly after by the Atlantic Rim Tournament. Sixteen countries entered teams for this event, and it was really exciting. I was particularly impressed with the opening and closing ceremonies when the teams all marched onto A Green to the sound of their national anthems and the respective flags were raised and then, at the end of the competition, they were lowered. I hadn’t realised how many different languages there are in the world, and there were quite a few players who spoke to me, but I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. But, as always, their body language and the vibes were good, so we related well. The English Women’s Team were back for this event, and the manager brought Brenda a laminated copy of one of the photographs she had taken during their previous visit. She wanted it put on the front of my kennel, and this was duly done.
In August 2009 Kevin took over the responsibility for the greens. We just clicked from the word “go” and we are really very good friends. I am always so pleased that on the days when there are no bowlers at the Club, I know that Kevin is there. He calls Brenda “Mother Garfield” and she calls him “Uncle Kevin” (my uncle!).
Quite recently we had some of the Men’s Nationals played at the Club, and I just revelled in the company. I positioned myself on a chair at the entrance to the registrations area, so that I could see them all coming in, and I was amazed at how many greeted me by name. I’m not very modest, am I? This was followed a little later by the Black and White Tournament, again men only, and once again I ‘did my stuff’ in welcoming them at the door. My mother would be very proud of my good manners!
Yes, there have been events at the Club, big and small, and I have been so pleased to see the bowlers enjoying our wonderful facilities. I am always delighted when I hear compliments about the state of our greens, and the Club in general.
But what I really want to say is that the past five years have been very special to me. I am getting older and I am slowing down, by my contentment has never been at a higher level than it is now. I am accepted, and I think for anyone, let alone an old ginger cat, that is something very special. Thank you, one and all for this.
I love you, Garfield
Garfield passed away very peacefully on 24th June 2011
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE WANDERERS CLUB
My fondest memory goes back to 1946; to a parade of servicemen returning from active service in World War II. The event was held at the old Wanderers stadium that was situated on the site of Johannesburg’s current Park Station.
For me it was special, since it was the first time I had ever seen my father.
John Spira
For me it was special, since it was the first time I had ever seen my father.
John Spira
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