A message from our Honourable Secretary ..

I usually send you a Secretary’s report at this time of year to open the new season. It now seems most likely that our, and indeed everyone’s bowling season will not commence at the end of April and with no indication of a back to normal date. It is but one minor inconvenience in what is a world-wide social and economic tragedy.

This is just to let you all know that your club is still functioning and keeping in touch with the national and county organisations who have been issuing guidance of varying kinds, including looking after unused greens. National competitions are now certainly off for the season, and probably also the Middlesex ones. There is hope of some ‘Festival of Bowls’ later in the season. (see websites for details – Bowls England web site and Middx Bowling Association web site and sunbury-sports,bowls-club)

Our competitions are on hold and refunds will apply for those who have already entered some of them. Should the opportunity arise we will arrange other ways for members to participate in any competitions which we will be able to run later in the season. In the meantime, we are having to spend money in order to continue to maintain the green, following Bowls England guidance, so that it could become functional quickly if the circumstances allow. We are leaving the fence to deter stray mammals and picnickers. Work has also progressed in rennervating the chalet and machine shed, which is keeping us bored activists busy (working singly or 2 metres apart) and the garden is being maintained. We are not asking for members to attend en mass for obvious reasons of social distancing, but you can be assured we are doing all we can to keep the club alive. You can always pop in as singles or couples to see how things are going. Our Treasurer thanks all those who have contributed membership fees which go towards maintaining our assets.

We are in the hands of the SSA and Cricket Club regarding the opening of the pavilion and they are as keen as we are to recommence activities of some kind as soon as possible. Keep safe and fit and we will eventually all be playing bowls, golf etc. again and follow news on our website. Pass anything you think newsworthy to Alan Pilkington who has also (with Karen) been updating our Honours Boards.

P.S. – a short puzzle

Charles Darwin, as one of his many experiment, calculated that on average there are about 50,000 worms per acre of agricultural land in England. Assuming we can be classed as agricultural and the green is about 1/6 of a hectare, how many worms do you think we have (give or take one or two). I shall try to find out having counted the worm casts in a sample square yard if this is the way Darwin proceeded, which I suspect is not the case. Prize for the most accurate/inventive calculation.

Do not hesitate to contact me or other members of the committee if you have any queries

David Chatterton (Hon. Sec.)

This month we lost someone who epitomised the spirit of Sunbury Bowls.

Margaret (Kerr) had a warm presence around the club with her support of new bowlers, always helping set up equipment and afternoon teas/raffle. She supported the social functions right up to her departure and will be sorely missed by her family and all at Sunbury Bowls.

Despite strange times the groundkeepers look to be doing a grand job with the green ..

Hi All

It now appears certain that we will not be able to play bowls against other clubs or any external or internal competitions until at least June. We are continuing to maintain the green, but the pavilion and toilets are not available until further notice.

We are working towards having the green playable for rollups as long as a safe distance is observed, and government rules allow.

We hope you will still choose to become members as we need to safeguard the future of the club. Thank you to all those who have sent their membership fees to the treasurer.

Do try to keep in touch with one another and take care of yourselves.

If you want to find out about the progress you can call:

Diane Saunders 07958 750739

Dennis Morris 07753 621037

David Chatterton 01932 783092

 

David Chatterton (Hon. Sec.)

The social evenings continue with an evening of cards .. come and join Alan Cordery as he guides us through “Slippery Anne”.

 

SLIPPERY ANNE (other titles known!)

The object of the game is to NOT win any tricks that contain HEARTS or the QUEEN OF SPADES.                                                                                                              

Each Heart card scores it’s face value (i.e. the seven of hearts scores 7), the Jack,  Queen and King of hearts score 10, the Ace scores 11. The Queen of spades will score 40. 

A total of 135 points will be scored in each game.

If a player wins all 135 points they score zero and the other three players score 45.

Aces are the highest value cards in each suit.

Players must follow suit when possible. If they can’t,they can discard a card of any suit (or a Heart card or the Queen of spades).

There are no trumps or jokers.

ORDER OF PLAY

1.  There will be 4 players on each table.                                                                     

2.  The first card dealer deals all of the cards (13 cards each)*.                                         

3.  Each player selects three of their cards and passes them (face down) to the player on their left. Do not pass the cards until that player has passed his cards on.                                                                                                                                                          4.  The game starts with the player on the left of the dealer laying the first card.      

5.  Play continues clockwise round the table.                                                                                                              6.  Each player then adds up all of the hearts, and the Queen of Spades he/she have collected and writes the score on their score sheet.                                                             

7.  The player to the left of the previous dealer now starts the next game. Scores are added up as before.                                                                                                     8.  After four games have been played the two players with the highest total scores will move up to the next table (i.e. table 3 players move to table 4 etc.).                                            

9.  At the end of the evening the player with the lowest total score of all the games will be be the winner.                                                                                                       10.* If there are only three players on a table remove the 2 of clubs (or diamonds) and deal 17 cards to each player.

Happy New Year everyone!

The winter socials continue with a skittles evening on Tues 7th Jan – all are welcome.

The winter social calendar kicks off with a Games night at 7:30pm on Tues 3rd December.

All events are held on the first Tuesday of the month going into 2020.

The AGM for Sunbury Sports Association will be held at 8.15pm on Thursday 28^th November.

We are all members, as are the members of the Cricket Club, Weight Training Club and Squash Club and are invited to attend in order to understand what is happening.

The annual Luncheon was held at Fulwell Golf Club on Fri 22Nov.

Here are a few photos from the day.

Provided the weather is helpful there will be a bonfire and maybe a few fireworks near the chalet from 6.30pm on Tuesday 5^th November. All will be informal, with some soup available and the new bar should be open afterwards.