Latest news with #Christmasin
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Firwood BC hits the sweet spot with festive fun
Christmas in July winners Duncan Buckthorpe, Lorinne Hawkins and Kim Hawkins with club President Alex Ferguson. | SUpplied Image: Supplied IN a sporting world constantly chasing youth and energy, lawn bowls has often been overlooked—labelled as a pastime for retirees. But Firwood Bowling Club in Queensburgh is changing that narrative in all the right ways. Led by the forward-thinking Alta Joubert, the chief steward and events coordinator, Firwood is proving that bowls can be social, competitive and a whole lot of fun. With clubs worldwide struggling to grow and retain membership, Firwood's strategy is refreshingly simple: make time at the club memorable. Their inaugural Christmas in July tournament did just that. The greens were full well ahead of the entry deadline, a sign of the club's growing appeal. Big names from Port Natal Bowls turned up, ready to battle for bragging rights and generous prizes. Second placed Brett Fields, Marc Rogers and Warren v.d. Sloot with Club President Alex Ferguson. | Supplied Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The atmosphere was festive, thanks to the hard work of the committee and support from members and sponsors. Roger and Samm Boulle donated a popular Aero and Grippo hamper, won by a delighted John Connellan. Arnold Muscat kept the crowd buzzing with a slick team auction, while Kyle Venter and Chris Strover live-streamed the action. A cheeky R50 one-bowl challenge added an extra competitive twist, with the winner walking away with the pot. When the toucher marks settled, Duncan Buckthorpe and Kim and Lorinne Hawkins from Queensburgh BC walked away R6000 richer, proving that local talent runs deep. Hillary's Marc Rogers, Brett Burger and Warren van der Sloot grabbed second, while Craig Worst and his Hillcrest lads clinched third place. As Alta Joubert puts it, Firwood is 'A Club with a Vision'—and clearly, that vision includes breaking moulds, building community and showcasing that bowls can be as much about laughter as it is about line and length. A happy John Connellan is presented with the Aero and Grippo hamper by Samm Cooper-Boulle. | Supplied Image: Supplied Judging by the success of this event, that vision is very much on course. Firwood has shown what's possible when passion and community come together. Other clubs would do well to take a page from their playbook. While the Christmas tinsel may be packed away, the league action remains red hot. In the men's first division, Westville BC retained their lead by squeezing out 22,5 of a possible 34 points against Parkhill and Northlands. But Parkhill weren't going to be left behind—after a fruitful weekend clash with Westville and Amanzimtoti, they banked 23,5 points, leapfrogging Umhlali CC and trailing the log leaders by a mere 1,5 points. With another double-header ahead more drama is on offer, Westville hits the road twice to take on Hillary and Hillcrest, while Parkhill will travel to Umhlali and then host Stella Park on Sunday. In a skins race like this, every end counts. In the women's A division, debutants Mount Edgecombe stole the spotlight by beating early leaders Stella Park 10–2, jumping to the top of the log. Hillary's win over Umhlali lifted them to second, while Stella Park dropped to fourth. This week sees the ladies travel to Umhlali CC where Mount Edgecombe face Hillcrest and Hillary take on Stella Park in what could be a pivotal round.
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I worked with Billy Joel and he is adamant about one thing in his future'
EXCLUSIVE: A music producer who worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Johnny Mathis and Billy Ray Cyrus, has claimed Billy Joel has an 'adamant' opinion on his next move Billy Joel has had a prestigious career spanning over five decades, and one man who previously worked with him has claimed to know his next move. While the Piano Man singer, 75, continues to tour and showcase his iconic tunes, pal and fellow musician Fred Mollin isn't so sure he'll be releasing any new tunes. Billy last released a new song, titled Turn the Lights Back On, on February 1, 2024. The track was his first new single since Christmas in Fallujah in 2007. But Fred, who co-produced Just Across the River with fellow Long Islander Billy, is convinced that will be his last. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Fred adamantly said: "He does not want to make another record." He then added: "If he did, I might get the call, but he's adamant he'll never make another record. "He doesn't write songs anymore. He writes musical pieces, he doesn't write songs anymore." He also explained how their bond began with their South Shore of Long Island connection. "He's a hometown hero to me and I've always loved his music," Fred said. "I was absolutely his biggest fan when his first albums came out and years later I was doing a duets album for Jimmy Webb. "I decided to do a duet of Wichita Lineman. I remember Jimmy saying it was Billy's favourite song and I said we'd have to do it with him and he said 'I'm there'. We got along famously," Fred added. Fred was speaking ahead of the release of his new book titled Unplugged in which he opens up on his career spanning over five decades. His biggest hit comes in the form of his co-production of Dan Hill's Sometimes When We Touch, and as well as working with Billy, Fred has worked alongside other huge stars such as Johnny Mathis, Kris Kristofferson and Billy Ray Cyrus. The Grammy nominated star has also been a part of the music set up for huge television and movie productions, including the Friday 13th series and Beverly Hills 90210. However, it was him time working with Disney on their popular Disney Lullaby albums that he is especially proud of. "I love doing music for children," he gushed. "It makes me happy, and I know it does some good. We had an idea to use Disney songs and other songs and make instrumental versions to put the baby to bed. "I have to tell you, it is probably one of the most successful records I've ever done. It's been out since 1999 and it's gone gold. It's also heading towards platinum and the streaming numbers are off the charts. He has since done another six similar albums and he added: "You know, it really has become this beautiful gift that I've been able to give. On some levels, I feel it's a beautiful gift to put a child to sleep and to calm down a child. I'm so proud of all of it. I really think it does good." Fred added: "The one thing I have to tell you is that me daughter is 38 and she has two kids of her own and she puts them to sleep with my lullaby albums, which I think is delightful. "However, her lullaby music when she was five or four, because her bedroom was directly above my basement studio when I was doing Friday 13th part seven, part eight. You name it, I was doing all these horror music that she heard as lullabies. She never had a problem with it I guess. "When I did the first lullaby album she must have been about 15 and she listened to it and just said 'good timing, dad."
