CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FUTURE NEWSLETTERS SHOULD BE SENT TO OUR EDITOR: TONY BAKER (thetonybaker@gmail.com)
DIARY DATES:
2pm Sunday 2 March: Indoor Bowls v Cambridge Park IBC
12.30pm Wednesday 19 March: Ladies Pre-Season Lunch
6.15 pm for 7pm Friday 11 April: Pre-Season Meeting
2.30pm Saturday 12 April: Opening Day Roll Up
Sunday 4 May 10 -12: Start of Beginners Bowls Course (see below)
Club Social –1 March (Tony Baker)
The clubhouse was full and the bar was rocking (see picture) on 1 March as we held our Spring social. A magnificent attendance of 59 members enjoyed a quiz organised expertly by Chris Axton, followed by a two course meal presented by Mary Baker and Debbie Johns and finally a bingo session with Tony calling the numbers. Prizes galore were handed out!
We also had a small tombola with ‘excess’ bottles from Christmas donated by members for which many thanks. As well as raising a funds for the Club the bar had a very healthy turnover and it was a great social occasion.
Ladies Pre- Season Lunch 19 March (Rosie Burges)
A final reminder! This year we are holding the lunch at the Albany in Thames Ditton.
Date : Wednesday 19 March at 12.30 for 12.45
Choices to be made from the Albany LUNCH menu. 2 or 3 courses priced at £21.95 or £26.35 respectively.
All ladies welcome! Send choices, please, to Rosie at roburges@gmail.com. There is a poster in the clubhouse with a print out of the menus. Payment to be made by bank transfer to Rosie.
New Member Recruitment (Pat Cooke and Debbie Johns)
Wanted – New Members! You, yes you, are needed to help promote our Bowls Club and encourage friends, family, neighbours to come along and ‘Have A Go’ at bowls. Tell them about our super club where we play the wonderful game. Tell them to come along and try it out, once or twice or more.
It could be just what they need to improve their general health and wellbeing.
Sunday 4 May 10am – Noon is the first Beginners’ class with further sessions on:
Thursday 8 May 6 – 8
Sunday 11 May 10 – 12
Thursday 15 May 6 – 8
Sunday 18 May 10 – 12
Nothing special is needed other than coming along with flat soled shoes (trainers are fine) and outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather. In addition to the usual local press, social media and poster promotions we will be emailing printable handouts to members later in March to help you spread the word.
Whilst we will be advertising locally, experience has shown that by far the most effective method of recruitment is via ‘word of mouth’. Please tell your friends and neighbours about our friendly club and, nearer the time, we will send everyone a flyer poster to use or print off for anyone interested in giving it a go.
Bowls Green in March (Chris Axton)
Our greenkeeper (Iain Gregg) is away most of March enjoying a much-needed holiday. But the grass will keep growing and work will be needed on the green ready for the start of the new season in April. Iain has prepared comprehensive plans for March! Preparing the green for opening is scheduled from 24th March to 27th March (weather permitting) and there is a full detailed programme of work to achieve.
As last year, we will send an email to members in early March to get volunteers. John Le Maire has kindly volunteered to ‘manage the labour allocation’ for the work, except for the work on the green using the Graden scarifier and the SISIS Auto-Rake which will be managed by Dave Bardsley.
Sue Petitt has kindle agreed to co-ordinate the gardening volunteers and tea / coffee / biscuits.
Weather permitting, Andy Hughes and Dave Bardsley hope to cut the green on Saturday 22nd March with scarifying on Sunday 23rd March therefore reducing the work to be carried on Day 1.
In the past we showed jet washing the walls of the ditch during this preparation period but never actually carried out, as this operation created too much water and mud detrimental to the green. So, it is proposed to carry out this on the previous week and we will seek volunteers for 1 day with a request for 3 No jet washers (we already have one at the club).
During March, Chris Axton has agreed to be the contact if any issues arise in connection with the spraying operations.
Indoor Ladies Invitation Day – 13 February (Rosie Burges)
Our ladies entered a team (pictured) for the King George Field IBC and had a fun day with games on the rink followed by a meal. All enjoyed themselves!
Indoor Bowls – Match Report Ember v Cambridge Park 2.3.25 (Adam Willson)
A valiant effort from a slightly below strength Ember team against a very strong team of internal bowlers so Ember lost our final indoor game of the season. A loss on all four rinks.
After the match Adam Willson was thanked for organising the team and the internal matches for the last few years. He has moved house and will be joining West Byfleet for the coming season. We wish him well…unless playing any Ember bowlers in the future!
Take a look at these websites to keep up to date with bowls at county and national levels.
www.bowlsengland.com
www.surreycountybowls.co.uk
www.ladiesbowlssurrey.co.uk
