Newsletter Issue 129

Hello everyone,

There’s lots to announce this week but I’ll start with the sad news which you will already know if you’ve been into the club this week.

I now have a photo of Joy Bloor whose death I announced last week.

Sadly two more long-standing members have died this week – John Punshon and Steve Pope.

I don’t have photos of them yet.

John was a lovely chap who bowled in Sheila Kingswell’s teams and latterly used a short stick to steady himself when getting down to bowl.

Steve ran a couple of teams and used to captain the Wessex B team. For the last few years, he’d had a number of health issues but soldiered on bowling when he could. The last time I saw him he looked very poorly but he was still determined to bowl if he could.

Our condolences to the families and friends of each of them.

Since losing Shirley Cromie, we are now down to just one lady coach. Sandy has asked that any lady who is interested in doing the coaching course to contact him in person or via reception. He will then fill you in with all the details and answer any questions.

Have you been watching World Bowls on YouTube? It started a week last Friday and there have been some exciting games. Several of the “big” names have already fallen. It’s good to see some of the relatively unknown players making their mark. It begins to be televised this week on BBC as well. If you have missed it so far, all the matches are available on YouTube.

The television in the lounge area will be showing the bowling all week so why not come in to watch it on the big screen while having a coffee, enjoying some company and saving on your heating bill?

Huge congratulations to Tom Evans who reached the the National Area Final of the 2 Wood Singles and following people who have reached the National Area Semi-finals:

Men’s Triples – Tom Evans, Mike Prosser and Paul Phelpstead v Neil Chandler and two others (Cotswold)

Men’s Pairs – Rich Shergold and Steve Knight v Tom Holmes and Shaun Jones (Malvern)

Men’s Fours – Ben Sheldon, Finn Williamson, Rich Shergold and Steve Knight v Neil Chandler and three others (Cotswold)

Josh Hodges who is well under eighteen has qualified for the National u18 Singles Finals and his next match will be in Nottingham. What an achievement! Well done Josh!

The finals of the Saturday Interclub is to be played on Saturday, 21st at 10.00a.m. MidGlos is against Cheltenham, playing for 1st and 2nd place while Barnwood and Cheltenham Spa are playing for 3rd and 4th place. The dress code is club shirt and whites. These events are always well supported by the outdoor clubs but it is embarrassing to see either no support or very little from our club. Please try to support if you can. Bacon baps will be served but from 10.30a.m. onwards. Last week our ladies were in from 8.30a.m.ready to serve from 9.00a.m.but there were so few takers early on, they have decided to restrict it to later.

On Sunday, 22nd at 2.00p.m. MidGlos is playing Cheltenham in a friendly. There will be one rink available to book.

On 28th January at 2.00p.m. MidGlos is playing Bishop’s Cleeve in a friendly. There will be two rinks available to book (1&7).

On Sunday, 29th January, Wessex A & B are playing at 10.00a.m. Rinks 1&7 will be available to book.

On Saturday, 4th February both the men’s and ladies’ interclub is being played at 10.00a.m.

On Sunday, 5th February at 10.00a.m. Wessex A&B are playing. There will be three rinks available. At 2.00p.m. MidGlos is playing Welford in a friendly. Rinks 1&7 will be available.

This Friday at 10.00a.m the ladies’ A team is playing the next round of the Mason Trophy against North Wilts A – one rink at home and one away. If you are playing in the umbrella and playing on an adjacent rink, please be aware and respect their game, i.e. if one of them is about to bowl the same time as you, give preference to them.

On Saturday, we were full to capacity for the quiz which went down very well. The next one is on 11th February when Howard and I will be hosting.

This coming Saturday, 21st January is Burn’s Night at the club. Posters are up on the notice boards advertising it. Please sign up by Wednesday at the latest stating your intention to attend and your choice of food.

As stated in the last newsletter, according to the forecast, snow is on the way again. Oh joy! However, we are now more equipped in that we have salt and grit as well as five snow shovels and a spreader is on order. What we need now are volunteers who are prepared to come to the club and be part of a snow clearing work party. If you are able to offer your assistance please let reception know asap.

In the next few weeks, a manual barrier will be fitted to deter any unwanted “visitors” entering our private car park when the club is closed and brakes are to be retro-fitted on all the outside shutters in order to comply with safety legislation.

We have regular board meetings in which things like the shutters, the barrier,etc. are discussed and minuted. The minutes of each meeting are entered into a red file which is available for any member to read should they wish to know what is happening. The file is situated beneath the first aid box to the right of reception.

Again, there’s a lot of information contained in this newsletter. I just hope I’ve remembered everything.

Take care,

Linda

Linda Watkin-Jones.

Director (PR & Marketing).