Newsletter to all members January 2025
In response to a request from some members to lay a concrete base to park bicycles and to erect a cycle shelter, we have received a quote for the laying of a base and researched details of racks and shelters. The GPC decided that if we are to proceed with this, we should meet with those members who cycle to the club to be sure that the facility created meets your needs. Accordingly, please do your best to attend a meeting on Monday 3rd February after morning roll up to discuss this.
We continue to benefit from sponsorship in 2025 of £400 by Eight. The GPC will discuss what this could be spent on but if you have any suggestions, please let us know. In addition, Eight are proposing to sponsor a fun bowling event for ‘The Eight Cup’, to be followed by a BBQ and bar, open to all members plus family and friends if numbers allow. Likely dates are one of Fridays 20th and 27th June and 4th July, starting at 3.30pm with the BBQ at about 6.00pm. However, before going ahead with this we need to know the level of support that it will attract. Please let me know if you are interested in supporting this.
Nobody has so far volunteered to organise Friendlies and I have been obliged to turn down requests from several clubs. However, there will hopefully be reciprocal pre-season friendlies in April v Fordingbridge and the annual Palmerston BC visit will continue.
Please see the photograph on the third page of the club tie incorporating our crest. The GPC have approved this. Thanks are due to Derek Boden for enabling it. It would be good if all of the men who have a club tie could bring it to the office in order to have the club crest transferred on to your tie, no later than Friday 28th February. Please make sure you have your name attached to you tie in an appropriate way. The unsold stock of ties will also have the crest placed on them. Club funds will pay for this work.
The Club Memorial Bench will be delivered soon, on which we will begin to place plaques in memory of members who have died.
We have purchased a card payment machine which can now be used for any payments to the Club. It is kept in the bar. No receipts will be available.
This year’s President’s Charity is Testwood Lakes Sailability. We raised over £1660 for last year’s charity, the Waterside Gateway Club – thank you to everybody who contributed in any way. I shall be presenting a cheque to Shani Elms on Friday 31st January.
The Spring Fayre is on Saturday 10th May. It will be predominantly a sale of plants. The idea is that plug plants will be purchased and members invited to nurture them so that there is a good selection for sale. There will also be cakes, a raffle and refreshments, plus an opportunity for visitors to ‘have a go’ at bowling. Jill Holgate will be publishing details soon about the plants, but do please talk with her if you are interested in helping with the plants.
Our contribution to Bowls’ Big Weekend, initiated again by Bowls England, will be on Saturday 23rd May from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Details will be on the noticeboard in due course and volunteers to help will be needed, please.
There is a proposed visit to Ashbury’s at Okehampton, Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th September. Please see Jill Holgate or Graham Cassell for details.
Our thanks are due to Joyce and Bob for organising several social events, details of which are on the noticeboard or will be nearer the time.We have a Fish and Chips Lunch with Bingo on Friday 31st January, and also on 28th February and 28th March. New Age Bowls afternoon is on Thursday 6th February, and we have been invited to play Skittles at Brockenhurst BC on Friday 21st February. This year's Panto has been postponed to a later date. There will be a Race Night on Friday 7th March. We will hold a VE 80th anniversary Fun Day on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May. There will be some fun bowling followed by an afternoon tea reflecting wartime food and rations and possibly a singalong to Vera Lynn and other wartime songs. £5 charge with a club provided raffle.
You should soon see a new outside clock, replacing the one that no longer works. Bob has fixed new netting on the entrance gates. If you see any other jobs that need doing, please contact him.
With thanks, as always, for your support. Steven
Steven Brice, President, on behalf of the GPC.
