Crikey!
My first newsletter. Better get on with it then. But let’s make one thing clear right from the start. If I’ve not mentioned something which you think I should have, that’s down to you. It’s never, ever, my fault. You should have told me.
I cannot thank Linda enough for her newsletters which were always a pleasure to read and very informative. I’m pleased that I can give her a well-earned rest.
I’m aiming at weekly newsletters being issued on Mondays but there will be no newsletters on May 11th & May 18th since I hope to be away on holiday.
Let’s go.
Bowls stuff
The Winter season certainly finished with a bang on the Finals days held 18th/19th April. Linda gave you the results last time but looking through them, it’s amazing how many went down to the wire. Special mention to Clive Shaw who finished as Champion of Champions. I would urge you to try to come and watch these Finals weekends. You never know, you might learn something!
Summer leagues are now in full swing. Also, as well as the ‘usual’ umbrella events on Fridays, please note that I oversee umbrellas on Monday & Thursday mornings from 10-12 (arrive by 9.45). Whilst aimed especially at newer and upcoming bowlers, they are also open to more experienced players. The ‘newbies’ learn best by playing alongside better players. So if your team don’t need you, come along and share your tips with the club’s newer bowlers. You were one once.
Youth Bowls
Quite rightly, the Juniors/U25 players deserve their own section here. We boast youth members who have played at World class level, represented their country and achieved many successes.
I’m delighted to report that Finn Williamson has kindly agreed to supply me with news of youngsters’ successes in future newsletters so we won’t miss a thing. In fact we start with breaking news. Two days ago on the 25th April, Louie Hodges managed to reach the semi-final of the Scottish International Open Qualifier at Erewash. This is all the more amazing when you consider that he’s just 14 years old! Amazing stuff.
Boring stuff
For many if not most of you, MidGlos is a lovely sports club run by a Committee who look after the bowls events which we all enjoy playing. What some of you might not know is that whilst trading as MidGlos Indoor Bowling Club, we are actually Bentham Bowling Club Ltd, so yes, we are a limited company. As such we are registered at Companies House and so are the Board of Directors of the company.
The Directors are responsible for the overall running of the club looking after areas such as Finance, Office Services, Catering, Health & Safety, Buildings & Grounds and Marketing/PR. Since the AGM held last Wednesday, we now have a new Board of Directors but currently only four of them with three vacancies. Please give some thought to joining us.
More on this next time. Curb your enthusiasm.
Social stuff.
As I’m sure you’re aware, Amanda Hanks does a brilliant job as our Social Secretary and will be keeping me up to date with what’s coming up. To start us off, we have Summer cribbage which is now on alternate Wednesday mornings from 10-12, with the next two being on being on Wednesday May 6th and 20th.
The next quiz night is on Saturday, 16th May with Steve Bluck as your quizmaster. At £6 per person, £7 for non-members including a buffet this is incredible value. Enter on the notice board by reception.
Getting to know you.
I want this to be an occasional feature where we get to find out about fellow members. Not just as bowls players but…well you’ll get the idea when you see mine. Please send me your photo (head shot) and your story to the email below as soon as you’re ready and watch this space. If I don’t get enough of these I’ll be snapping you in the club and then interviewing you.
So I’m Tony Letts, I’ll be 80 in November. Born a Brummie, my heart is in Bristol and yes, I support Bristol City.
I started out in Commerce until the early 70’s when I encountered Special Needs children and was immediately hooked. I specialised in the most challenged kids, wheelchair-users, incontinent, non-verbal and often with sensory loss. This was my career for 30 years until I retired in 2006 and my wife Sally and I moved to Gloucester from Portishead.
I kept my hand in by working at Acorns Children’s hospice, Worcester, for several years and am currently a ChildLine counsellor.
I enjoy social media and have around 5000 followers on Twitter, (X). I’m also on Facebook.
In Closing…
Please let me know if there are items/sections you’d like to see in here and I’ll consider everything suggested.
Phew! Done it. Now I just need to wait for you lot to tell me my mistakes. Except that I don’t make any so good luck with that. (Set myself a challenge there)
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Please feel free to get in touch at the email address below.
Bye for now,
Tony Letts
chairman@midglos.co.uk
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