Our Green Our Club

The season is now just 6 weeks away provided that we can get the green ready to go. The wet weather has made it very difficult to prepare the green as it has just been too wet to use the heavy spiking equipment and do effective mowing and even to apply the various treatments which should be going on. So now it really does need to have more hands-on deck to help us get the green, surrounds and buildings ready for the end of April.

Our green team is depleted this year with huge reliance now on Paul, Gavin and Jim as in addition to the green they are also having to focus on the surrounds and buildings.

Please can you help and commit to undertaking some regular work. It does not have to be on Tuesday mornings but can be on days/times which work for you. There is work to suit all – some heavier duty, some needing training and some which is less physical and which most of us could do. An hour or two every couple of weeks from more of our members would make a huge difference.

Brushing – takes 40 to 60 minutes and needs to happen every morning before 10am unless it is frosty or raining. Is there a day you could help with? Could you pair up with someone to cover a particular day?

Mowing and treatments – once the season starts, we will need to be mowing 3 times a week and applying treatments on a weekly basis. Can you help with this? Training will be given on both the mowing and treatments.

The Surrounds – bank, paths, grass areas – Shirley’s COGs team oversaw the banks and pots last year, but they need help. (Shirley has agreed to lead the COGs again in 2024) Could you join the team or perhaps commit to keeping an area of paths clear or mow the grass areas with the rotary mower once a week. Roger M is going to weed treat the paths but there is lots of other weeding, trimming and tidying to do.

Building and fencing – ongoing repairs and maintenance are needed which just need practical people with DIY skills to get involved. When needed qualified tradespeople will be employed but ideally, we need to do as much as we can ourselves. David Cheap has been doing some amazing work (just wait until you see the refurbed equipment store) but a small team is needed.

Pre Season Preparation As we get nearer the season, we will need lots of members to come along to help with the one off tasks to get things ready for the new season including putting in ditch liners, cleaning clubhouse, toilets, changing rooms, chairs and benches etc . Details will follow.

IF WE CANNOT GET ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS TO UNDERTAKE THE MOWING AND GREENWORK AND FREE UP THE 3 “GREENKEEPERS” FROM OTHER ROLES, WE WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO USE A CONTRCTOR to do at least seme of the mowing AT SIGNIFICANT COST. If we were lucky enough to get a competent/reliable contractor to mow just once a week through the season the cost would be well over £1000 and prrobably nearer £1500!!. Please come forward to help in whatever way you can.

• Please speak/WhatsApp/text Paul on 07900538617 if you think you might be able to help with the green activities or brushing.
• If you can join a DIY team, please email biddendenbowlsclub@gmail.com highlighting any particular areas of skills e.g. Norman was a retired electrician, David C is a great wood worker and generally very handy etc etc
• If you can help with weeding and caring for paths and banks, surrounds mowing etc again please email biddendenbowlsclub@gmail.com letting us know what you feel you can commit to so that Shirley can co-ordinate.

Finally don’t forget the quiz and bingo evening fundraisers – see the previous newsletter for details – more names needed for both.