Newsletter to all members. July 2026
I hope that as many of you as are able will take part in this year’s President’s Day on Saturday 15 August. It will follow the usual format, with some fun bowls activities organised by Graham Laird, a quiz or two with help from Ken Attridge and a good lunch. We’ll need some volunteers to help, please – Fiona Brewster has offered to prepare teas and coffees but the offer of an extra body is always welcome. Gill Bushell will be preparing BBQ food in the kitchen but we need a BBQ chef (or two) as our usual Smokey Bob is in Scotland that weekend chasing haggis on the fells. As always, family and friends are welcome to join us on the day. Charge for lunch will be £8. The raffle will be for this year’s charity which is New Forest Community First responders and any donations (no candles, please!) will be most welcome. Further details and a sign up sheet will be on the noticeboard in due course.
Unfortunately, Bernie Crick has had to give up his work as joint Green Secretary. He has worked hard, often largely unseen, keeping the green and surrounding areas in good order, plus other jobs, with Vic Baker. We do need someone to work with Vic as soon as possible, even though we hope that Bernie will feel able to resume his work at some time in the future, perhaps next year. Please have a word with Bernie or Vic if you feel able to help.
Baz Fish has had an amazing season so far playing in the Hampshire West and Isle of Wight area Champion of Champions competition. On Saturday morning 27 June he ‘played a blinder’ to beat his opponent from Boscombe Cliff BC. He will now play in the final on the IoW on Sunday 12 July. I am sure that we all wish him well for that match. Baz and Terry Fish have reached the quarter finals of the NF Aussie pairs and Pairs Plate. Mike Way has reached the quarter finals of the NFBA Officers’ Cup.
NFBA and NFWBA hold several ‘badge’ matches during the summer season. They are usually on Wednesday afternoons, are sociable and finish with a good afternoon tea or other light meal. If any of you are interested in participating please let me know. Further badge matches this season are on Wednesday 12 August v S&DBA/S&DWBA at Meon Valley BC, Sunday 16 August v Bowls Hampshire at County BC and Wednesday 2 September v B&DBA at Lymington BC.
You may have noticed that the memorial bench has been moved. This is to help accelerate the drying out process of the natural resins that are in the wood. Please don’t sit on it or you might get a stain on your clothes.
We can expect to see some new cushions in the shelters in a few weeks’ time. These have been paid for using the proceeds of the end of winter season raffles organised by Les Maffey. Your comfort is assured.
Later this year we should be having some new scoreboards. Kevin has been researching new ones for some time and based on his recommendation the GPC has agreed to go ahead with bowlscoreboard.co.uk. However, we need to wait to see what sponsorship deals can be done before committing to ordering them. In the meantime, he is doing his best to replace broken numbers on the existing boards. We also have some new pushers so there is no need now to share pushers when all seven rinks are in use.
Steven Brice President, on behalf of the GPC 6 July 2026
