December 2019

As Christmas draws near and the weather continues cold, wet and windy thoughts turn to bowls 2020!! Our new committee has had its first meeting and dates have been agreed for friendly fixtures, club competitions, league games and a number of other events. Full details will be published on this website shortly and they will of course be shown on your membership cards.

Firstly some good news - construction of the new toilet block and storage area has been completed!!!! Final fitting out remains but it is really looking good and will be in full use for the start of the 2020 season.

So let's go with a few dates for your diary!

Sunday 15th December 2019 11am to 1pm - Christmas drinks and 'get together' at the Squash Club. All welcome and the last chance for us all to gather in 2019.

Saturday 14th March 2020 - back by popular demand, a pre season social gathering. Final details are still being worked on but our social team is planning another Fish and Chip Supper with Horse Racing which was a great success last March. An update will come out in January but please reserve the date and gather friends to come along.

A few words from the club's new captain - Paul

"Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to Martin for his work and contribution over the past 3 years as Captain and for helping the club get into such a good place. I should mention it was Martin that first took myself, Kim and Norman onto the green at the Open Day in 2017 and his warm welcome and encouragement then and over the following weeks and months was a key factor in our taking up the game.

I hope that all playing members will continue to put their names forward for both friendly and league matches - it would be great to continue the trend of the past couple of years when most matches were over subscribed. Denise and I will endeavour to ensure that selections are made 7-10 days in advance of the fixtures to allow time for everyone to have the chance to put their names forward and to know when they have been selected. As happened last year team selections will be published both on the club house noticeboard and on the club's website.

It will obviously take me a bit of time to settle into this role and I will be grateful for your support and feedback."

JOBS AND VOLUTEERS - We are a mixed club and our volunteer roles are not gender specific. The ability, experience, skills and interests of a member are far more important than their gender so any role can be undertaken by any suitable member!! There really is a volunteer role for everyone!! What follows is a list of specific jobs which are on top of the weekly maintenance (mowing, spiking, leaf sweeping, drain clearance and repairs which will continue mainly on Tuesday mornings).

Jobs from January to April - If you can help with any of these please let Jim or Paul know or email to the link below.

• Fit out shelving and hooks in the new cleaners cupboard and green keeping storage area
• Sort out all of the tools, bowls equipment and other equipment in all of the current storage areas (including metal container, metal shed, old kitchen, changing rooms, pavilion). Re sort for ease of access, safety and efficiency!!
• Fit the water butts and water storage
• Relay slabs by the toilet block and check slabs around the green and level where needed
• Landscape around the new toilet block including any planters or borders and level and landscape the area in the Oak Tree corner.
• Build a retaining wall along the new bank - the bricks, ballast and cement are ready to go. DO WE HAVE A GOOD BRICK LAYER in our numbers?
• Complete the planting along the new bank including the lavender hedge.
• Tidy up and sort the mens and ladies changing rooms.

Club House and Toilets - Over the past few years the task of cleaning and sorting the clubhouse and the old portaloos has mainly fallen to Jeannette and Denise. It is essential that a bigger team is in place to share these important tasks. We need a volunteer to put together a team to undertake the cleaning on a rota basis. It is hoped that "pairs" will be put together who will only be on the rota once a month. If you are willing to co-ordinate this rota or are willing to join the cleaning team please please let Kim know. You can email the link below.

BRUSHERS - this is a vital job which needs to be done on a daily basis unless it is raining heavily, frosty or the ground is covered with snow!! The activity effectively takes any water droplets off the tips of the grass and brushes out any worm casts. This protects the grass and improves the green. We currently have gaps in the brushing schedule and urgently need reserves to cover if the regulars are away or unwell. The task normally takes between 40 minutes and an hour and ideally should be done before 10am. It involves dragging a large brush up and down the green. It's a good workout and cheaper than the gym!! Please please if you think you could help, perhaps pairing up with another member talk to Jim or Paul who can tell you more about it and give a demonstration!

Social and Fund Raising - Ongoing fund raising is essential for the club but equally social interaction and events are a really important part of our club life. Denise (our new vice captain) has agreed to lead a fund raising and socials team and will be joined by Barbara , Sue J and Linda. Whilst the team will oversee planning and organising and bring new ideas, input and support, other members would be very welcome to join them. If you have ideas and/or would like to help please let Denise or one of the team know. You can email the link below.