June Newsletter

The season is certainly well underway and it is time for a bit of an update. Also there are several dates for your diary - some new and some reminders.

Firstly and most importantly - Jeannette had her hip replacement operation on Monday 10th June and went home to Jim's tender care on Thursday. I know we all send our very best wishes to Jeannette for a speedy recovery from the operation and a quick return to the green and to bowling.

Social/Fun Bowls Evening with KDS - 19th June 5.30pm

KDS (Kent Design Studio) very kindly drew up the plans for our new toilet block and submitted them to Ashford Borough Council without making any charge for their services: saving the club over £1000. We are delighted that a group from KDS are joining us on Wednesday 19th June to have a go at bowls and enjoy a social get together. We will do a little bit of an intro and then get them onto the green to bowl with club members. A simple BBQ and nibbles are planned with beer, wine and soft drinks available to our guests and members. If you can come along to help out and/or participate please let Paul or Kim know as soon as possible.

Cancellations

When a match is cancelled the captain of the day phones around members who are playing to let them know as soon as a decision is made. It has also been suggested that this information is put on the website so that members planning to go and watch or who have not recieved a call can look at the site for an update. So if a match is cancelled a note will be posted as soon as possible at the top of the home page.

Club competitions

The Club, Ladies and Mens Championships are well underway with all results shown on both the notice board and the website. Please try and get your games played by the dates shown but if you have a problem have a chat with Paul to get an extension agreed.

The yardstick was played on 26th May with 17 members taking part. Some excellent bowls was played. Match of the day was between Martin and Jean which had to go to two extra ends to come up with a winner. Their last few ends were watched by all the other players and spectators but both kept their focus with Jean finally winning the game. The two players who have made it through to the final to be played over finals weekend are Denise and Paul B.

The drawn triples was held on May 11th on a round robin basis. Despite some very unkind rainshowers play was completed - the finalists will be Martin, Jeannette and John against Paul B, Hugh and Ashley.

Next Competition - Open Pairs on 29th June

League Matches

The men have made an excellent start in the Maidstone Mens Triples and are top of division 5. In the mixed Weald League our A team are currently 3rd in division 2 having played 4, won 2, lost 1 with 1 rained off. The loss was away to Paddock Wood on their "carpet" which the team report was quite challenging!! The B team are last in division 3 having played just 3 games with one rained off but there is a good squad of players keen to play. As they gain experience and settle into the slightly different demands of league play they are confident that they will begin to pick up some wins.

County Knockouts

Several Ladies have again entered the Kent County Knockouts in the pairs, 4s, 2 woods and Benevolent Triples. Last Wednesday the 4s comprising Chris, Maggie, Kim and Denise won their first round game against a 4 from Borough Green. Sadly this Wednesday (12th June ) they lost to Loose who coped better with the steady (and at times very heavy rain) which fell right through the game.

In the pairs competition Chris and Denise went out in a tight game against a pair from Tenterden however Kim and Sue R have surprised themselves making it though the preliminary, 1st and 2nd rounds playing away in each round and beating pairs from Tonbridge, Holmesdale and Tenterden. On Friday (14th June) they played away at Sevenoaks and their winning run came to an end. Great experience gained.

Best of Luck to 5 of our ladies who are playing in the County 2 Wood Competitions (Division 3) at Ditton BC on Saturday 22nd June.

Dates for your diary

Ladies Day Tournament - Thursday August 8th

We now have 26 ladies triples entered from clubs across Kent and East Sussex. This is a massive event for the club and an important fund raiser. Whilst Maggie and Laurie are the "major organisers" of the day they rely upon help from members on the day to help the event go smoothly. So please look out for the "volunteer duties list" which will go up shortly. From stewarding the car parking to collecting used plates and mugs, washing up to running the BBQ and many other essentail tasks there is a role for everyone - and don't forget home made cakes. It's all good fun and the more members who support the better. In the past ladies attending have often commented about how great it is to see the male club members being so proactive on the day which reflects so very positively on our mixed bowls club.

Tractorfest

17th and 18th August - Our club will be taking the major responsibility for running the TEA TENT at this village festival. (working with voluteers from the church and school PTA) It is vital that we have lots of volunteers for 3 hour slots over the two days - serving cakes, tea and coffee, collecting dirty mugs and plates, washing and drying up, wiping tables and collecting payments are the main activities. Please add your name to the rotas - it's an amazing weekend and last year we were awarded £1500 for our contribution. This is huge in our budgeting but can only be achieved if members, families and friends help out. It is hard work but also great fun. Jeannette will be putting up the rotas shortly and she will be leading the bowls club team. All of you bakers - home made cakes, biscuits etc will be collected at the church in the days leading up to Tractorfest.

Toilet Block Update

The site has been cleared ready to go and the gents portaloo has been disconnected. There has been a further delay with the supply of the pegs and steels but hopefully things will really begin to move next week.