A Glorious Start to the Bowls Seminar Season at Chew Stoke Bowls Club
Wednesday 18th March marked a fantastic start to the 2026 bowls seminar season, as we welcomed attendees to Chew Stoke Bowling Club in Somerset for a day of learning, networking and hands-on demonstrations—all under clear blue skies and glorious sunshine.
The attendees were mainly volunteers at their clubs- they are the backbone of bowls clubs, dedicating their time and care to maintain greens to a high standard, ensuring consistent, high-quality playing surfaces for everyone to enjoy throughout the season.
Aimed at bowls club members, greenkeepers and local authority teams responsible for maintaining high-quality bowls playing surfaces, the seminar series continues to grow year on year. With over 10 events scheduled throughout the season and an average of 42 participants at each seminar, these sessions now attract more than 350 attendees annually- highlighting the increasing demand for practical, expert-led guidance in bowls green maintenance- something that is very much volunteer run.
Chew Stoke Bowling Club proved to be the perfect host venue. With its well-presented green and welcoming atmosphere, it set the tone for a highly productive day. A sincere thank you goes to the club for their excellent hospitality, ensuring attendees felt comfortable and well looked after from start to finish.
Guests arrived from 9:00am for registration and refreshments, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow bowls enthusiasts and industry professionals before the seminar officially began.
The day opened with an introduction and welcome session, before moving into one of the most important topics for any club—greens maintenance during the bowling season. This session focused on maintaining consistency, playability and surface quality during peak usage months.
One of the highlights of the morning was the on-green demonstration, where theory was brought to life. Attendees were able to see maintenance techniques in action, gaining practical insights that can be directly applied back at their own clubs.
Alongside the demonstrations, a wide range of Dennis and SISIS equipment was on display throughout the day. From mowers to specialist turf maintenance machinery, the showcase gave attendees the opportunity to explore solutions specifically designed for bowls greens, speak with experts and better understand how the right equipment can support performance and efficiency.
Following a complimentary lunch—another opportunity for networking and informal discussion—the afternoon sessions continued with a focus on key operational areas.
Topics included:
-Mower maintenance, helping clubs maximise performance and longevity of their equipment
-Grass seed selection, delivered by guest speaker Stuart Yarwood from DLF Seeds UK, who shared valuable expertise on choosing the right seed for optimal results. A massive thankyou to Stuart and DLF!
-Grant funding, offering guidance on financial support options available to clubs looking to invest in their facilities
The day concluded with an interactive turf clinic, where attendees could raise specific challenges and gain tailored advice from industry experts—an invaluable part of the seminar for many.
Reflecting on the success of the event, UK Sales Manager Jason Briggs commented:
"It’s been a fantastic start to the seminar season. These events are all about giving clubs the practical knowledge and confidence they need to maintain high-quality greens throughout the playing season. The turnout at Chew Stoke and the level of engagement we’ve seen has been excellent—we’re looking forward to continuing this momentum across the rest of the programme."
Join Us at an Upcoming Seminar
With more than 10 seminars taking place across the country this season, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Whether you’re an experienced greenkeeper or a volunteer looking to improve your club’s playing surface, these events are designed to provide practical, relevant and easy-to-apply advice.
To find out more and secure your place at an upcoming seminar, visit:
https://dennisuk.com/events
