Biddenden Bowls Club May update

We are nearly one month into the 2018 season and what a start it has been. Playing in glorious heat one day and rain on another!! Highlighted below are a few tasters of what has been happening but for more detail and to see more pictures please look at the other pages on the website. The following is in no particular order.

New Members - Big welcome to Ron (and Ann), Ashley, Roland and Jan, and Michael

biddendenbowlsclub.org has gone live and already contains lots of information about our fixtures, leagues games, club competitions and social events. Have you signed up for email alerts to receive updates when event or news information is posted?

Yard Stick Competition - played on a hot and sunny day. We had 20 competitors which meant that a preliminary round, 1st and 2nd round and semi-finals were played. Maggie was the unlucky one who played in every round including the semi final playing a total of 48 ends in the day!! Well done to Chris and Paul who have progressed to the finals

Open Day - The rain came in and probably put off a few prospective members but a good time was had by all, mainly in the pavilion. Kev and Paul ventured onto the green with returning member Ron who we are delighted to welcome back to the club.

Friendly Matches - These are well underway with a win over Staplecross but losses against Sellindge and Rye. Lots of members have played and in two of the matches a 'friendly' triples game between two Biddenden Bowls Club triples was also played to ensure that everyone who put their name down got a game. Please do continue to put your names on the sheets on the board and don't forget to tick against your name when selected to confirm you know you are playing and still available.

Maidstone Mens Triples League - The boys had their first match against Townsend Hook "C" away. It was a tight affair but we won in the end by 36 points to 33 to gain 4 points. I understand that Laurie played a wonderful final draw to guarantee the victory.

Supporters and Spectators - It is excellent that so many of our social members have been coming along to the friendly matches and competitions adding to the happy atmosphere whilst giving advice, encouragement, support and the odd "heckle" from the pavilion terrace. The new chair and bench cushions bought from the £300 obtained from the AVIVA community fund are being put to good use!

Green Development and Projects - The Northiam Shed has gone and has been replaced temporarily by a smaller but functional metal one. A new seating area has been created where the Northiam Shed used to be. The green keeping team have been doing sterling work on the green and surrounds but there is lots to do and members are asked to come along on Tuesday mornings to help out. The list of tasks is endless - mowing, strimming, painting, weeding, toilet cleaning, work on pavilion, etc etc etc. We may have a problem with the toilets as we suspect a leak under the ladies. This is currently under investigation but highlights the need to finalise the plans and funding for the new toilet block/storage.

Coaching - Chris has put some excellent coaching hints, exercises and ideas up on the coaching notice board. Feel free to borrow the laminated coaching sheets but please return them to the board after use. One coaching session on marking has already taken place but let Chris know if there is any aspect you would welcome a session on either on a group or one to one basis. A skills coaching day is taking place on 12th July - remember to put this in your diary.

Club Drawn Triples Competition - here again the weather let us down BUT the 24 brave competitors battled on, encouraged by the suporters on the terrace, and despite the weather the competition proved to be a great success with lots of laughter, friendly banter and even some good bowls. The games were closely fought with the successful finalists being Keith, Ron, Jeanette and Kev, Colin C, Ken. Quote of the day "Jeannette take a big step and big swing". She did and her bowl ended a foot from the jack on the 2m line to take shot!!

June Boot Fair - Roger and Gill are having a "boot" in the form of van and tables at the Rolvenden Fair to raise funds to help cover the costs of the new greenkeeping equipment which has had to be purchased. Please donate items which can be placed in the box in the ladies changing room or given to Roger, Kim or Denise.