Newsletter for all members March 2026
New Outdoor Carpet
As you all now know we have agreed funding arrangements with the Town Council for a new outdoor carpet. This followed an unsuccessful bid by the Town Council to the Community Infrastructure Levy to fund a new carpet, but too late to have a new carpet fitted before this year’s summer bowling season. A date has been agreed with Greengauge that they will fit it during the week beginning Monday 2nd November.
Potters Resort
This year’s visit was clearly very enjoyable and has proved popular for the next visit in January 2027. If you haven’t yet paid your deposit, please see Mandy or Jackie Jackson asap.
Friendlies
Our thanks are due to Graham Laird, Terry Fish and Vic Baker for offering to organise some friendly matches. We will host Cullompton BC from Devon on Saturday 6th June. Details of these and other pre-season friendlies are/will be on the notice board and all members are welcome to play in them.
Easter Egg Draw
Please buy your numbers for this, 50p each, in time for the grand draw on Monday 23rd March after morning roll-up.
Short Mat
The season is progressing well. The latest league table is on the noticeboard. The last matches will be on Tuesday 24th March, with the fixtures scheduled for 13th January being played, starting earlier than usual at 9.30am and 11.00am in order to finish on time for an end of season celebration lunch.
Social Events
We have Fish and Chips with Bingo on Friday 20th March, a Race Night on Friday 27th March and the annual pre-season lunch on Thursday 23rd April. Details of these and any other events are/will be on the noticeboard.
Winter Members
On Monday 30th March we say goodbye to our winter members after morning roll-up. As you know there will be a good lunch and a raffle. We wish them a successful season with their clubs (except when playing Totton & Eling!) and look forward to their joining us again next winter.
Photo Board
A new photo board will be fixed on the wall in the Clubroom, displaying various events involving members and giving an opportunity to celebrate some successes. Please feel free to suggest any that you would like to be displayed.
Membership Renewals
Details about membership renewals have been emailed to you and are on the noticeboard. From Wednesday 1st April you can renew your membership, pay your fees and collect entry forms for the Club competitions this summer. Mike Way and Mandy will be in the Clubroom from 12 noon on that day, but you can pay at other times when convenient for you.
Annual Charity
Thank you for your support for last year’s charity which raised an excellent total of £1685.61 for Testwood Lakes Sailability. A letter of thanks is on the noticeboard. There will be a formal big cheque presentation at Testwood Lakes on Thursday 13th April (time to be confirmed) which we hope will give a publicity opportunity for both our Club and Sailability. If you would like to attend, please let me know. This year’s charity is New Forest Community First Responders and I am waiting for them to deliver leaflets and a collection pot.
Chewing Gum
If you indulge in this habit please be good enough to wrap the used pieces in some paper before depositing them in any of the bins – thank you.
I trust that we are all looking forward to an enjoyable and successful season in the various leagues that we play. If you are not playing in a league match, do come and support our teams and enjoy the afternoon and evening sunshine.
Steven Brice, President, on behalf of the GPC
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