Hello,
What a World Bowls that was! Seeds dropping like flies to qualifiers! I really wanted the men’s singles final to go to a tie break but Jason Banks played just too well for that. He put up an amazing showing – absolutely relentless! A well-deserved champion but it’ll take me a while to forgive him for knocking out my favourite, Mark Dawes, in the semi-final.
I promised to let you know the winners of the friendly last Sunday afternoon between MidGlos and Suffolk Square. MidGlos came out on top.
Jumping to yesterday, Saturday, the first men’s interclub was played between Barnwood and Cheltenham Spa and MidGlos and Suffolk Square. Both Barnwood and MidGlos won that round. Such a pity that there are so few teams this year and no ladies’ teams. I really hope things are different next year.
You may have noticed that the area final of the National 4s was being played on Friday evening against 4 International players from Welford at Malvern. We held our own for the first few ends but they started to pull away from us and we conceded before the end. The score didn’t really reflect the game since the heads were quite tight but it didn’t go our way. We tried and did well to reach the area final. Had we progressed, things would have become really tough since we’d have come against really big names – way out of my league! However, I enjoyed the experience.
This coming Saturday, 1st February is our second open day. Please let your friends, neighbours and any outdoor bowlers who struggled last year with the heavy greens know about our great facility and the open day – starting at 10am and going on until 4pm.
We are still looking for volunteers to help on the day. There are four names on the list at reception at the moment. We could do with more please for a variety of roles and an indication of commitment to morning, afternoon or both. Jill Whiting is unable to attend so we’ll need help serving teas, coffees and cake. I shall bake a cake but we’ll need a few more, please. Again, please let reception know what you can do to help.
Again, woods, shoes and coaching will be provided. People just need to wear something comfortable. I truly hope this will be a success. The last one raised lots of new members but that was over two days. A lot of work goes into these events; let’s hope it proves to be fruitful.
This is very early notice and I will repeat it nearer the time but our Presentation Evening will be on Thursday, 10th April this year. Our club competitions are well under way. Please try to get your matches played before the “play by” date.
Our men have done extremely well in the Denny Cup and have reached the quarter final against Nottingham to be played on a neutral green at Tamworth in Staffordshire. It is on Saturday, 8th February and we are hoping to encourage sufficient people to sign up to the list on the store cupboard door by reception to go on a Marchants coach. Marlene Carter’s daughter, Naomi, has offered to drive it for us (she drives for Marchants. She’s not just any random person off the street). The coach is planned to leave the club at 8am and be back late afternoon.
It would be the smallest they do – a 38 seater so, to make it viable, we need more than the nineteen already signed up. This will be a very good game. As I mentioned last week, both Les Gillet and Simon Skelton play at Nottingham. This team always does well so, with our excellent players too, it will be a quality game. We have a board meeting this Tuesday when we will agree the charge. Obviously the more we get, the cheaper it will be. If we don’t get the numbers, then it won’t go ahead but it’s a great opportunity. It’s down to you now…..
This week-end, on Sunday, 2nd February, in the afternoon at 2.00p.m., there is our next friendly at home against Welford. Good luck to those playing.
I guess I’ll now have to catch up with all those jobs put on hold the last two weeks.
Keep warm and take care,
Linda.
Linda Watkin-Jones.
Director (PR & Marketing).