Well the Winter has felt extremely long but we are finally only days away from the Green opening and endless weeks of playing under the blazing sun (one must be optimistic!)
As previously announced the Green will be opened at 6.30pm this Friday evening with the first bowl from our President, Gordon. Thereafter members are free to take to the green to loosen their arms with a few ends. Dress code is as usual for roll-ups, casual, no requirement to where club kit, but bowls shoes of course a must. At around 8.30pm the Highworth Rooks will be playing the Highworth Pigeons in a rearranged Swindon Skittles League match so why not stay around to have a drink and have a laugh with/admire the talent on show, maybe it will encourage you to get involved next year during the long Winter months.
Hopefully we will have a great turnout of members and friends, the bar will be open and those not able to be around during the close season can see all of the many improvements undertaken by our brilliant Greens Team and the volunteers who helped out on the Working Party events. Sadly, work on the green has been hindered slightly over the last few weeks by the irrigation pump failing and having to be replaced at a cost of over £2000. But again, Shaun and the team have rallied round to keep the grass growing by watering by hose so that we can still open on time with a lush surface.
The Rink Booking system is operating as usual and members can book rinks from Saturday onwards using this as we have done previously. The only change this year is that the green will now open at 10.30am each day. This will allow the Green Team to have a little later start each day or to be sure to be finished in good time for the early attenders.
Other Reminders:
Men’s Tea & Biscuits: Thank you to all who showed their interest in playing by completing the list in the changing rooms. The team Captains have now finalised the Squads for each team and you will have seen the email about this last week. The team availability sheets should be up in the changing room very soon if not already there. Teams A & B have their first games of Tues 19th, so to ensure that the Captains can pick their teams it would be advisable to let them know of your availability immediately.
Club Competitions: The sheet is filling up with many entries in some competitions. Reminder that this will be removed on 29th April and the draws made on Friday 5th May (more news to follow on the format for this evening). Only people having paid the £1 entry fee per competition by the draw day will be entered. It would be great to have more entries particularly from lady members.
For Sale: We are starting to get books/puzzles and CD donations appearing on the bookshelves at the back of the clubroom. Feel free to have a browse and make the appropriate donations in the red cashbox.
Club Kit Orders: New club kit ordered has now arrived and will be available for collection on April 15th Club Opening Night.
Team Sheets: Team Sheets for the first games for Men, Ladies and for Friendlies are up/will be up for Friday in the Changing Rooms and corridor noticeboards. Please get your names down early to assist the selectors to get the team sheets up as early as possible. Men can show their availability for Evening S&D and Wilts games using the ‘Teams’ tab in the Rink Booking system but sheets will also be up for these in the changing rooms. The first Men’s S&D game is on 21st April so the team will be picked on club opening night. If you wish to be considered to play then please show your availability using ‘teams’ on the rink booking system, by e-mail to Stuart or on the sheet in the changing room before 8pm on the 15th.
Men’s S&D Competitions: The sheet to enter these are up in the men’s changing rooms and will be sent to the S&D in early May.
Midweek & Friday Afternoon Internal Leagues: If you are interested in playing in these please enter your name on the sheets posted on the corridor noticeboards. A decision will be made on or about 24th April as to whether both events are viable and in what format depending on numbers.
Social: The next Social is Bingo on Saturday 16th April 7.30pm. See you then for a bit of fun and maybe even a small win! Keep a close eye on the website, club noticeboard and for emails containing news about additional social events through the summer.
Sponsors: During the Winter we have been looking to secure Sponsors for the club and I am delighted to confirm that the following companies have pledged support of various types for this season. Firstly, our own Andrew Sears of High Street Butcher fame and Mick Woolmer continue to support the club, Mick through undertaking all of our electrical works and Andy who will be sponsoring a new tournament to be held at the club this year, news to follow on this later.
We are also pleased to welcome back Hilliers Funeral Services and Franklins Memorials as sponsors, both of whom have been with us for several years now.
In addition, this year we are delighted to welcome two new Sponsors, Richard James Estate Agents and A-Plan Insurance who will hopefully be major sponsors for years to come. More details will follow in due course but A-Plan will donate additional money to the club for each policy taken out with them when HBC is mentioned.
It would be great if members could recommend friends and family to use the services of all of our Sponsors and to ensure that our name is mentioned when doing so, so that they appreciate the value they get from being associated with the club.
Many Thanks
Chris
Chairman