Hello everyone,
The sad news first – Bob Read died on Friday, 22nd November. His funeral details have not yet been announced. We’ve lost another lovely man. He stopped playing only recently but has looked frail for a while.
I think we all prefer the white pushers. Bob offered them to us at a very friendly price when Dowty outdoor club closed where he was a long standing member along with his membership of MidGlos. When I first joined the club, I used to dread coming up against him since the outcome was always a defeat for me!
Bob was always our “go to” man for maintaining the efficient working of our electronic scoreboards. He will indeed be missed by many people for many reasons. Our sincere condolences to his wife, family and friends.
Jack came this morning with a stock of goods from Potters. He would be going home with a much lighter van – it was a very successful trip for him. Several sets of woods were sold and many other items too. Thank you for supporting if you did.
As mentioned last week, both Wessex A and B teams were playing this morning – the A team against Chipping Norton and the B team against Fairford. Both rinks of the A team home and away won handsomely and one rink at home and one rink away of the B team won – the first win for the B team for a long time, if ever, I’m not sure. Well done to everyone involved in both teams.
We were there for the beginning of the fun bowls session, organised by Gill and Roger Fry. It was very well supported and did look a lot of fun – there were quite a few confused looking faces at the beginning but I’m sure they got into it along the way. I’ll give an update when I’ve heard how it went. If it is a hit, I’m sure we’ll do it again.
This Friday morning, 6th is the first game of the Mason’s for our ladies over a certain age ( to give you a clue – I play in it and I am just 40 and a bit – it’s rude to ask how big the bit is!!! ). One rink at home and one away against Cotswold.
Both the men and ladies are busy on the following day in the Denny and the Yetton respectively – two rinks at home and two away.
The men are against Solihull and the ladies are playing Bromsgrove.
A Christmas Fayre, with a variety of interesting tables, will be held on Saturday, 7th too from 10.00a.m. until 1.00p.m. We will have a table and will be selling teas and coffees along with cakes. The proceeds from the cakes and drinks will boost our funds. Donations of cakes will be gratefully received, please?
On Wednesday, 11th the club will be open from 7.00p.m. Two rinks are booked – one for a rearranged game and one for a national. Therefore, there will be five rinks available to be booked – a good opportunity for any other rearranged games to be played, a club competition or just a roll up. Why not take advantage?
For the ATTENTION of EVERYONE who BOWLS in NATIONAL COMPETITIONS be it teams or individuals. The EIBA dress code as stated in sections 6.1 and 6.2 in the current EIBA 2024 rule book is that, in the early rounds, club shirts and trousers/shirts/skirts must be worn. In the later stages (i.e. – quarters onwards, it is still club shirts and whites or the registered club colour for the lower part of the body. Until we register otherwise, we must wear white below the waist.
In the earlier stages, the whole team should agree on the colour to be worn on the lower half. We must all wear the same. This is no different from when playing in outdoor competitions.
It is expected that, if you play in such games, you should own your own club shirt. The sample shirts which Kath has are for people to try before ordering. There are still a number out there somewhere. Please return them washed ASAP. Thank you.
In February, we will have been at our present site in Brockworth (relocated from Bentham) for 25 years. To celebrate, there will be a 25 year pin available to purchase from reception some time early in the new year. The money collected will go into our carpet fund. When the time comes, it will probably cost £50,000.00 plus to replace it, so every little helps.
This sounds a bit morbid but, we recently received a donation for a considerable amount as a legacy from someone to whom the club had meant a lot. If you feel the same way about the club, then please give it some thought.
Christmas has now arrived at the club – I put the tree up this morning. I think I now understand why it was donated to the club – it’s not easy to erect with many little bits having to be slotted into holes, some quite easily and others with a fight and brute force. Thank you to Chris Frusher, a new member, for helping with that bit.
The tree is next to the Christmas raffle table. We welcome any decent items (not stuff that you’ve been meaning to throw out) as donations. Equally, there is a book on reception for you to pay your money against a number and see what you win or, in my case, don’t.
Take care everyone.
Linda.
Linda Watkin-Jones.
Director (PR & Marketing).