Sandra West
WCGBA President 2014
Our profile subject this time is one of our most familiar faces around the green – Sandra West.
Sandra is not from a bowling background, but remembers going with her father and her three daughters to a pub for pop and crisps – such simple pleasures. Outside the pub, in Eyton, there were people playing bowls. Sandra thought it looked fun and fancied having a go.
Some years later, husband Ron and daughter Loraine were near Cunliffe bowling Club and went in to ask if they could try their hand. They had a fun two hours sending the bowls in all directions not realising there was a bias on the jack – been there done that. Six months later, they joined the Gate Hangs High Bowling Club and there, member Ken Hatchett showed them how it should be done. Now Sandra plays twice a week on a Wednesday and Saturday for two different leagues. She has also played for the Millstone and the Celts in the Chester League. Sandra has also tried her hand at indoor bowls and curling – with Asda carrier bags on her feet ‘ but I did not take to it’. Could I suggest Aldi or Lidl ones?
It was not long before Sandra became involved in administration as Vice Captain for the GHH B Team and their Flintshire team and for the last 30 years she has served on the Wrexham Area Management, Wrexham League and the WCGBA Management. Sandra also served as our President in 2014 - ‘without a shadow of a doubt my proudest moment.’ With her family there at the inauguration there is nothing to compare.
It was not long before Sandra became involved in administration as Vice Captain for the GHH B Team and their Flintshire team and for the last 30 years she has served on the Wrexham Area Management, Wrexham League and the WCGBA Management. Sandra also served as our President in 2014 - ‘without a shadow of a doubt my proudest moment.’ With her family there at the inauguration there is nothing to compare.
When asked to recall her best moment in bowls, Sandra did not hesitate to pick out her daughter, Loraine’s win in the Welsh Ladies Merit at Rhyl at the tender age of 16, making her still the youngest player ever to have won this and which qualified her to play in the Champion of Champions. Typical of Sandra to let someone else take the bouquet. Her worst moments are when she has to play either husband Ron or Loraine as she knows she is in for a competitive match. Ron has been singled out as a major source of help and support so peace can reign in the West household. Her personal best and worst moments have been playing for the Welsh Ladies County team, winning 21-7 at Penyfordd in her debut match and losing 21-1 after playing her very best to get that one point.
Sandra has put in a good 30 years for Wrexham Council taking disabled children to and from school, and has plans to retire soon.
Her other hobbies include knitting, sewing and jigsaw puzzles. She enjoys a good read with Catherine Cookson, Barbara Taylor Bradford and Danielle Steele among her favourite authors. Something about families mean a lot to Sandra. In music, Neil Diamond and The Carpenters are favourite easy listening choices. Sandra doesn’t get stressed much and her love of creative projects including making fancy dress outfits, wedding headdresses and collages all make sure she takes life as it comes. Asked what makes her laugh and Sandra’s reply was ‘ I’m sorry to say but Ron makes me laugh even after being together for 51 years’. She is no mean cook either and helped to organise and supervise Girl Guides Summer Camps in the past taking the role of Head Cook.
Sandra has travelled to Brooklyn in the US and for the last 21 years Benidorm and Ibiza have been her holiday destinations.
On the future of Crown Green bowls, Sandra says she is ‘frustrated personally that not enough people are willing to be involved with Committees and beyond, ‘which would help the future of the game. People have a lot to say on the side lines, but when it matters most, they don’t want to know.’
Those who know Sandra well, recognise and appreciate her forthright and direct nature. She doesn’t suffer fools gladly, yet will go out of her way to help and encourage anyone to be a better person and player. Her family have much to be proud of – you can pass that bouquet along now Loraine – and together with long-time friend Brenda will continue to be a major feature in Welsh bowls.
Sandra with Brenda doing the raffle at Welsh Ladies Merit 2018
Sandra Wet at the Welsh Junior Merit 2018
WCGBA Ladies organisation team at BCGBA Junior Merit, Rhos Park 2015