It was a bit of a messy start to Tuesday Club Night  but once underway there was some good bowling and bonhomie to be had. Although a little chilly by the end, the clouds threatened but, thankfully, never delivered, unlike last season! Remember it’s £2 per week and 5:45pm registration in the clubhouse for a 6pm start and optional drinks in the bar (or patio when sunny!) afterwards.

On St George’s Day, this Saturday 23rd at 2:30pm there is an impromptu Roll-up organised by our Captain Di and Eileen. The grass should be freshly cut in the regular Friday 5pm slot. Everyone is invited.

You can of course organise your own roll-up anytime although it’s advisable (but not essential) to book a rink via the booking system Book a Rink. Chris Shire is our booking expert having already organised two roll-ups this week!

The equipment is kept in the chalet, access to which is available with the key that’s kept in a drawer in the 2nd room in the main room (second door on the right) in the clubhouse. The combination is available to all so just email or ask around if you don’t know it. Once you’ve got in the habit of gaining access it really is quite simple .. honest!

Also in the clubhouse are the sign-up sheets for some of the initial team matches. Details of the competitions and other information will be available as the season develops.

 

 

 

 

 

We recently heard of the very sad news of the passing of Cicely Holmes.

She was a highly accomplished county player and umpire too. In recent years she was an ever-present around the green supporting current players on competition days. Details of her funeral will be published when known.

RIP Cicely.

We enjoyed a sunny start to the season with the official opening of the green on Saturday 16th April.

Shorter jacks were the order of the day but things are looking brighter for the green with the return of our regular lawnmower expected at the end of the week. Next up is the first Club Night on Tuesday 19th at 6pm – please check-in to our club rooms at 5:45pm. Also in the rooms are sign-up sheets for upcoming matches.

The green opens on Saturday 16th at 2pm but it’s not been the smoothest of times for the greenkeepers. They’ve been without their regular mower since January and been relying of late on the beast from the cricket club. Just emptying the collection bin has been a challenge let alone turning the machine around! On Good Friday we were very fortunate to pick up a couple of second hand mowers from Hounslow Conservatives who have sadly closed their green and bowling club. The grass has been growing too well this week but it looks like we’ll be blessed with a sunny start to the season.

The first Club Night quickly follows on Tuesday 19th at 6pm (5:45pm registration).

This season the greenskeepers will be cutting the green every Friday at 5pm .. followed by a trip to the bar! Of course, it’ll be getting more than one cut a week but Friday has been fixed in the weekly schedule.  Some of you may know of the troubles we’ve had getting our regular mower maintained/repaired – for the time being we have the cricket grounds team to thank for the use of their beast of a machine.

We said goodbye to the winter with the last of our Social evenings on Tues 5th – an evening of Target Bowls. It proved to be a challenge for most of us, with the notable exception of the winning team of Tracy, Maureen, Vivien, Eileen, Roger & Di .. the only team to register a score!

It may not currently feel like the weather for bowls but the new season is almost here with the official opening on Sat 16th April from 2pm. Before that we’d like to invite everyone to help with clearing and preparing the grounds on Sat 9th from 10am. Any time you can spare on the day would be appreciated – Dennis is the main contact for the day.

 

Our last social of the winter is this coming Tuesday 5th April at 7:30pm .. Target Bowls. Later in the week is the pre-season dinner on Thursday 7th from 7pm. You’ll get to see the new carpets that have been fitted in the main hall and our club rooms.

Just a reminder that payments need to be made to Barry if you’re attending the pre-season dinner on 7th April. On the night we’ll be served canapés, 3-course dinner, together with a raffle all for £25pp. The evening starts from 7pm.

Before that we have our last social of the winter on Tues 5th April at 7:30pm – it’s a good chance to practise your delivery with target bowls!

Then we have something everyone is looking forward to – Grounds clear-up on Sat 9th April. If you can spare any time and energy please do pop down.

As Covid restrictions ease we can return to a more normal way of doing things, starting with a Joining Night on Tues 15th March from 7:30pm.

You are invited to come along to chat about plans for the season ahead, join up, enter competitions and join weekly leagues.

The Fixtures Secretary has been working hard on arranging a programme of team matches – both friendlies and more competitive ones in the South Middlesex League. As well as regular Club Nights on Tuesday evening and Friday morning league, we also plan on running a full complement of internal competitions. Towards the end of the season we will compete in the Bluewood Shield with Fordbridge Park and Hampton, and run the popular Men v Women match.

List of Fixtures .. Calendar 2022

Internal competitions .. Competitions 2022

 

Back by popular demand is an evening of cards on Tues 1st March 7:30pm. From the Hearts group of card games, Alan Cordery will guide us through Slippery Ann. There’s a prize for the winner and plenty of opportunity for quick updates on your fellow bowlers and members as the game progresses. Everyone is welcome.

A pre-season dinner is now confirmed for Thur 7th April at 7pm. If you haven’t already please contact Nikki or a member of the committee if you’d like to attend. All are welcome.