East Coast Triples Competition at Potters, Hopton-on Sea – May 2026
By A Potters Virgin
“I know where it is, I’ve been many times. You can follow me!”. Oh dear, steady driving on the inner lane saw us safely through or around Royston, Duxford, Newmarket and Thetford. All good so far, then we turned off the A47 onto a new estate and promptly got lost! The road back to safety was closed but modern technology got us back on the right road within 15 minutes and 30 minutes later we rolled into a misty Potters.
First impressions were good, spacious, clean and big! Not being a drinker, I don’t know if 2 pints of beer for £12 is expensive (before check-in at 3pm) but it sounds dear. My room in the hotel was pretty good – it even had a two-sided balcony – and my sleeping buddy was there to welcome me (Yay).
There were 18 good and true peeps from Hertfordshire, 17 of which were players. Six triples and, I believe, four pairs for the evening competition so let’s get the bowls out the way so I can spill the beans on the shenanigans that went on, away from that activity.
The triple of Brian, Audry and Colin only narrowly missed out qualifying as a highest loser finishing 2nd in their group but being the 4th best runner up (3 qualified). Our other triples finished 6th, 5th, 7th, 4th and 5th. No excuses but there were marked differences between the mats with, as usual, the end ones being trickier and the different makes also being a challenge. It’s amazing that one day you can feel pretty comfortable with your game and the next it’s like you have only just started!
The pairs were a different kettle of fish with a magnificent Hertfordshire pair (no, Alan H was not involved) finishing runners up and bagging several hundred pennies as their prize. The semi final was worthy of the final as the quality of bowling from both couples was sublime. Let the trumpets sound for Bill and Julia who most definitely represented Hertfordshire with aplomb, and we can be very proud of their achievement. I’m told that 2 pints with 3 double whiskeys had nothing to do with this!
Now on to the other stuff which, unfortunately, was all I heard so there was probably a ton more embarrassing stuff that will never see the light of day.
Andrew and Alan H had obviously been seen together by a member of staff, and she said to Andrew when he was alone “Where’s your Dad?”. Needless to say, Andrew called Alan ‘Dad’ for the rest of the stay and even Alan called him ‘Son’ on a few occasions.
I showed my prowess as a would-be David Bailey when I was asked, by an adjacent table, to take a photo of the peeps at the table as it was a lady’s birthday and they had the whole palaver of balloons etc. Several photos were taken but, apparently, I’d cut out the birthday girl so they stupidly asked me to take them again. I was never asked again.
Mike and Doreen had a scary incident on the last night of our stay. Sometime after 2am, Mike was woken up by someone fiddling with his sheets and attempting to get into bed with him. Only Mike knows his immediate thoughts, but it soon became apparent that this was a poor woman was suffering from dementia and when the light went on Mike was confronted with a complete stranger in her nightie! Mike leapt out of bed and hurried down to reception leaving Doreen to talk calmly to this confused woman. He met a member of the entertainment troop, who had just finished in the Garden Bar, and security was called. The lady’s husband, who was wandering the corridors franticly looking for his wife, was called and it all ended amicably. In the morning, Potters were so concerned that Mike & Doreen might give a bad review, that they were given £100 in compensation even though they didn’t lock their door!
The only other anecdote that can be published without the threat of litigation, is one from David that could have ended in tragedy. David, being able bodied, fit and full of adventure went down to the shoreline via stairs on Tuesday. He wandered along the path and then decided to climb a different set of stairs. However, the stairs ended halfway up with the remaining climb via a steep meandering trail. David, feeling like superman despite having flat shoes with no grip, started climbing. He was so near the top when he got stuck. Father and son Alan & Andrew were walking nearby and just saw David’s head calling out for help. With no thought for their own safety, they leapt into action and huffed and puffed, pulling David up so saving him from a grisly end.
Thursday evening saw Audrey become an octogenarian, and this was celebrated with probably the best and most appropriate cake I have ever seen. Well done Margaret for sourcing this amazing tribute to Audrey.
After a few ‘Tony Blackburn’ style jokes, Alan and I finally came up with a quiz that worked! Nicknames were given to all 18 of us and the two tables were asked to match the nickname to the person. Seemed to work and, just to give some examples, can you think who is ‘Male Nicol’, ‘Golden Pearl’ or ’Murder She Wrote’ is?
The only other things to report are that Alan H remains the 10-pin bowling king, sweeping all opposition aside scoring 140. The next nearest was Andrew with 99. His reign as unbeaten air hockey champion was brought to abrupt stop through losing twice to the quietest man of the party. He also regained his champion status, winning the curling with his Al-timate team on Wednesday night beating Mick in the final.
Final thoughts, is it good value? Yes, with the discount, but possibly not at the full price unless you love a wee dram. Staff were great, especially Daisy, and the food is pretty much faultless. The shows are in and out, with some performers no better that Britain’s Got Talent auditionee whilst others could be West End standard.
Final final thoughts. I was asked what makes this break so good and, without hesitation, I said “The company, the competition and the venue” in that order. Hertfordshire is a County that over performs in terms of ability but it’s the people that make it a great County. Really, there is no place like it and I am proud to be with you wonderful people. Thank you.
Sadly, I won’t be able to do this next year but if a place becomes available, I would thoroughly recommend it. I think I’m already missing it!