APRIL NEWSLETTER

The season well and truly got underway last Thursday as over 30 players came along for their first roll up of 2019. It was lovely that a number of social members also came along to have a cup of tea and a chat (and of course watch the bowls!!).

A few congratulations are in order -

David and Pat Bryant have just celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary - Many Congratulations to you both

Several of our bowlers "go indoors" during the winter. They have been playing in the Friday afternoon "Tree League" and congratulations go to Jim, Brian, Denise, Peggy and Jean who were all part of the winning CYPRESS team.

Forthcoming Events

Sunday 28th April 2pm to 4pm - OPEN DAY when we hope to welcome lots of potential new bowlers along to meet the members and have a bowl. If you are free please come along to help make this day a success. Cheese and wine, other nibbles and of course tea and coffee will be provided.

Thursday 2nd May Local Elections!! and from 1.45 for 2pm start - a FUN Skills Afternoon. This will comprise 4 different activities involving targets, cones, spider etc. - The aim is to have a practice and more importantly to have fun. There will be some lucky winners and Paul has promised some "magnificent" prizes. Please sign up on the sheet at the club house or let Paul or Kev know. If you are not sure just turn up on the afternoon (it will finish by 4pm).

Tuesday 30th April and Tuesday 7th May (time to be confirmed but expected to be 1.30pm ish) - a class from John Mayne Church of England Primary School will be coming along for a bowls taster session. Chris Clark and Kev Keeler will be leading this along with Tom Swain (coach from Biddenden Squash Club), a teacher from the school and various bowlers. We will be putting to use the new bowls equipment which we have purchased with the AVIVA grant including "new age" light weight bowls, targets, Taylor Ace Junior Bowls, cones and a spider!! If you would like to help either on the green or around it please let Chris, Kev, Kim or Jeannette know. (There may be 2 further dates for another class).

Monday 20th May - Construction phase of the Toilet Block Project to begin with completion hoped to be by the middle of June. The green will remain open throughout with the portaloos still available (albeit in a new position). Safety measures will be in place around the construction area.

CLUB COMPETITIONS

Details of all the competitions are on the website and on the notice boards at the club house. The draw for the Club, Mens and Ladies Championships, and the Biddenden Bowl will be made during the open day. If you want to enter but have not put your name down yet please let Paul, competitions secretary, know. Entry lists are up for the Drawn Triples on 11th May and the Yarkstick on 26th May amidst the friendly match boards. The more the merrier! The Drawn Triples is a great opportunity for newer bowlers to play with more experienced bowlers.

Website and Shirts (update from Kim!) - a new page has been set up on the website which shows teams selected for forthcoming matches. This gives you an option to confirm that you are available to play online. A number of members asked for this facility to help when they are away but have put their name down for a match or if they cannot get to the club for a few days and want to check if they have been selected. Of course, you can still just tick the sheet at the club!! I am trying to keep the site up to date and reflecting things that matter to the members. If you have any suggestions or comments please let me know.

We have a new supply of club shirts with a range of sizes for men and ladies. I will bring them along to the open day and matches etc. but if you want a shirt please let me know. (The price is slightly up on last year at £18.00)

Green Keeping and Maintenance - The Tuesday morning team has continued to grow and Tuesday morning really is quite a social event!! Seriously though a lot of work is done every week - not only on Tuesdays. You will have seen that some patches on the green have been seeded and geraniums and shrubs planted on the bank. Whilst the hot sunny weather has been very welcome it has meant regular watering has taken place. When the hot, dry weather returns (hopefully very soon!) daily watering is likely to be needed; if you can spare an hour to help please contact Jim, Paul or Kev so that they can add you to the schedule. Remember there are jobs suitable for everyone - on and around the green, on the surrounds and of course in the club house.

See you soon at the green and to those of you playing on Saturday against Staplecross - enjoy our first friendly match of the new season!!