Bowling Club News - November 2011
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - DENNIS
At the last AGM the position of Club secretary remained unfilled. I am delighted to say that Pam Newton has since stepped forward to fill this roll, we look forward to welcoming her to the next committee meeting. Once again, a big thank you.
Although the role of Social secretary remained unfilled, Linda offered to organise the Xmas party which I believe was a great success contributing over £330.00 to club funds. Linda writes: "The party seemed to go very well, hopefully everyone who attended felt the same way. I would like to thank Pat, Sheila, Phil, Roger, Syd and Heather for their help to make it a success. The other success of the evening was the new cooker, it certainly made life a lot easier in the kitchen. We will be hoping for your support when we have more socials throughout the year. Please keep an eye on the notice board for these events".
One of the outside maintenance jobs planned by the committee was to clean and repair the gutters of the clubhouse and to paint the outside back door. Last night, it was indeed a surprise to find that the work had already been done by outside contractors at no charge to the club, the cost being paid for by an anonymous donor. To this person a big 'thank you'.
And finally, a warm welcome to Hilary Cartwright who has joined us to play short mat. We trust you will enjoy your bowls and also the social side of our activities.
As there is no committee meeting scheduled for February there will not be a Newsletter.
Reporting of Results
So that the Cobham web page can be kept up to date, will the captains please send the results to Norman ASAP. Thank you.
OUTDOOR CAPTAIN - ELIZABETH CHAMBERS.
I am sure you will be as pleased as I am that David Wood has agreed to be a Vice Captain for the coming 2012 outdoor season.
The first game of the outdoor season is Sunday 22nd April. As there will not be a Newsletter in February I would like to give all Captains of the day plenty of notice of a meeting to discuss our plans for the coming season. I hope Wednesday March 14th at 7pm is convenient for you. If you are unable to attend please let me have any ideas or suggestions for discussion. I look forward to seeing you at the clubhouse.
TUESDAY LEAGUE - PHIL
Elizabeth has asked me to look after the Tuesday League this year. If I can get enough people to play, I thought it would be good to select players at the start of the season. I think it would need nine players to be available and to please let me know of any holidays. This information is needed by early March so that the teams can be selected. We can give this idea a try if it does not work out we will go back to the week by week basis. The season will be every Tuesday from 1/5/12 until 28/8/12.
COMPETITIONS
A reminder to the few members who have not paid their competition fee. We would appreciate payment ASAP to Norman.
We currently do not have a Competition Secretary. The competition system is all set up, all we need is someone to operate it. If you are interested please contact a committee member.
SHORT MAT.
BLUE TEAM -ROGER
The Blue team suffered its second defeat when playing away to West End Village on 13 December. We are however, still second in the table with Shalford Alliance being top. We played Shalford Alliance away and drew; and we are due to play them at home on 25 January. So anybody wishing to see what I hope will be a cracking game of bowls, and also wishing to come along and support us, will be very welcome. Before Shalford we played on Wednesday 4 January against Lyne and I am pleased to report that we won by 59 shots to 17 giving us a maximum of 4 points.
Stop Press The Blue Team are currently top of their division.
On behalf of the Blue Team a very Happy New Year to everybody.
YELLOW TEAM - HEATHER
The Yellow team have won two matches and lost two so far this season. Needless to say the wins were at home. It proves a struggle to win away games but we are determined to keep trying. We lie third in the League at the moment.
FRIENDLY GAMES - LES
Thank you to all the players who supported me last season, I hope they will continue to support me this season.
SHORT MAT CAPTAINS PRIZE GRAHAM
To qualify for consideration as the winner of the Prize a participant needs to play in at least 10 sessions. We are now reaching the stage where players are starting to qualify. To date 35 of you have played at least once and 3 have now played the magic 10, 2 are on 9 and 2 are on 8. As of today Sebra is on 189 points with Archie leading on 200. Under the scoring system no one will get the dreaded "negative" score so roll-up and get stuck in.
IAN MCLEOD
To do justice to Ian's contribution to Cobham Bowling club would take too much paper. I am sure we all have anecdotes that could sum up Ian - let it be said he will always be remembered with love and respect.
He came to bowling when he retired, starting off at Ripley and moving on to us here at Cobham. As we all know walking was his first love but bowling was something he and Cindy could do together. Cindy didn't fancy 100 kilometre walks.
Short mat was his specialty although he played outside as much as his other activities allowed. His enthusiasm for "short mat" was infectious instilling a keenness to succeed. New members (and old!) were in awe of his ability to bowl his bowl just where he wanted it to land. He was a doughty opponent in competitions.
After being elected as Short Mat captain last year, he was looking forward to steering both teams onwards and upwards and organized the winter programme before his health made it difficult to participate.
Ian's approach to his illness was an example to us all, always positive. We will miss you Ian, thank you for being you. Rest in peace.
A collection has been started by some members for Prostate Cancer Research and a box will be on the Bar until the end of February should you wish to contribute.
PATRICK THOMAS
By the time you read this newsletter you will be aware of the death of Patrick on 20th December.
Patrick was a very kind and gentle man. Private and quietly spoken, he was devoted to his wife June and their two daughters Amanda and April.
Patrick loved his bowling, always happy to stand in if we needed more players and so pleased when he had words of praise after playing good shots.
He had another love, that was his allotment. We knew he was a keen gardener but it was the allotment that he spoke of most, spending many happy hours there.
Patrick spent the last year in a nursing home with June and the girls taking it in turn to visit him.
A true gentleman and a good friend to all who knew him.
Deadline for National Competition entries 2012
Bowls England wishes to remind members that the final date for entries in the following National Competitions is Wednesday 1st February 2012. National Mixed Pairs, National Mixed Fours, National Men's 55 & Over Singles and Pairs National Women's 55 & Over Singles and Pairs, National Family Pairs.
Entry cards for the above can be downloaded from the Bowls England website. Just go to www.bowlsengland.com and click on 'National Events'. You may also e-mail: comps@bowlsengland.com to request entry cards.
Entry cards for the following National Competitions were distributed directly to clubs and counties - these are not available on the website. National Champion of Champions - Men and Women, National Men's Club Two Fours, National Top Club - Men and Women, National Mixed Over 60 Club Two Fours - Tony Allcock Trophy.
All entry forms with the appropriate fee (cheques made payable to 'Bowls England') should be sent to: Chief Executive, Bowls England, Lyndhurst Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 2AZ. The closing date for return of all entry forms is 1st February 2012.
CLUB CONVENOR - HEATHER.
Thanks go to Len for the very smart certificate shelf above the French doors.
Next year we will have a new Christmas tree thanks to Pat and Phil.
EASY FUNDING.
You will have read in the November Newsletter that we have registered with Easy Funding. So far we have earned £20. Several members bought goods through Easy Funding over the Christmas period. It is simple to operate and most goods can be purchased through regular well known companies. If you have any problems please contact Norman.
EMAILS
Please advise us if you change your email by contacting cbc@encief.co.uk or elizabeth.chambers99@yahoo.co.uk
MACMILLAN.
Many members are reluctant to take money towards the cost of petrol when they chauffeur members to and from matches.
We have applied to Macmillan for some small collection boxes that drivers can keep in their car for those passengers who wish to make a small donation to Macmillan. If you would like a collection box please contact Elizabeth.
ETIQUETTE.
It has been requested that a mention is made in the Newsletter on a point of etiquette. It is customary to wait for all members, club and visitors, to be seated before eating.
MARLEY KEYS
Once again the keys have been left inside the Marley when the doors were closed. May we remind you that whoever opens the Marley is responsible for returning the keys to the clubhouse and not leaving them inside.
SECURITY DOOR ALARM.
If you are in the unfortunate circumstance of accidentally setting the alarm off, will you please phone Syd 01932 864863 immediately. The alarm automatically triggers the telephone to phone various people, even though it has been switched off. If you phone me, I will know that I do not need to attend immediately to check for intruders, as it is a false alarm.
SUGGESTIONS
The committee welcomes your suggestions to improve the running of the club. However, if a question or point of view is put into the suggestion box, please add your name so a reply can be given.
EQUIPMENT & CLUB MAINTENANCE
Members are asked to report any damage to club apparatus (whatever the cause) to a member of the committee so that repairs can be put in hand.
50 CLUB DRAW
December - Winner Heather Griffin, second - Jane Pettinger.
January - Winner Ron Heather, second - Barbara Cornish.