NEWS & NEWSLETTER
CLUB SHIRTS
Here are the results of the recent survey undertaken to decide on OBC's new club shirt.
SHIRT A – 23 VOTES
SHIRT C – 19 VOTES
SHIRT D – 5 VOTES
SHIRT B – 0 VOTES
16 Members did not cast any vote despite 11 of them being present at Opening Night when the shirt pictures were on display.
7 Members disliked all and made no choice.
It was a close-run thing but the result, therefore, is that the OBC new club shirt will be Shirt A.
We are currently getting samples of shirts from Shot Bowl for sizing purposes and hopefully these will be available to try very soon.
MESSAGE FROM THE OPEN DAY COMMITTEE
OPEN DAY – Saturday 18 May
Following our successes over the past four years, the 2024 Open Day will be held on Saturday 18th May [11am to 3pm].
1. We do need our members to assist on the day in a friendly and professional manner to ensure that our visitors have an enjoyable experience.
Assistance is required:
- On the green, with visitors of all abilities.
- Showing visitors around the Club.
If you are prepared to assist, please contact Clive Morris or Keith Hart. The more volunteers the better, then we could do two shifts [up to 1pm, and 1pm onwards].
There will be a practice ‘dry run’ for volunteers on Tuesday 14 May at 10am.
2. Publicity.
Social Media, our most successful means of publicity according to our visitors, will be our main thrust again this year, plus some selective local advertising with posters.
[We have previously delivered leaflets to all households in specific areas; this is not only very labour-intensive, but also has brought in very few visitors, so we are not doing it.]
This year, therefore, we are asking Every OBC member to distribute a Minimum of Five leaflets to people they consider might be interested in bowling - family, friends, neighbours, acquaintance, etc.
We will get the leaflets to all members by early May for distribution. Please think about who you can give them to, and remember more are available if required.
Clive Morris: 07947 802352: [email protected]
Keith Hart: 01572 868277: [email protected]
Chummy mornings
There is a new look to chummy mornings this year. Rosemary will be offering coaching and informal bowling on Sunday mornings, commencing, hopefully, 14th April tbc. Wednesday chummy mornings will start on 17th April, again tbc.
Friendly matches
The availability sheets are on the main notice board in the club house, for the Thursday, Saturday and Sunday friendly matches. All full members are eligible to play and we look forward to seeing these sheets filling up with names. Any queries, please don’t hesitate to give me a ring.
Club Competitions
We had a very encouraging number of entries on Friday night, but of course there is still time to get your entry in for the club comps this year. Give me a ring, or drop me an email with details of the competitions you’d like to enter. Deadline is 20th April. If you’d like any information about the club competitions then please do give me a ring.
Look forward to seeing you on the green very soon
Janet
MARCH NEWSLETTER
As we roll on towards the end of February this week the start of the season edges ever closer. Before then there is work to do on the green, around the green and in the clubhouse.
MOWERS & MINDERS
If you can help do this vital task please get in touch with Ray Gregory [email protected]: tel. no: 07397 959266. At present he has only had one volunteer to mow, and 2 volunteers to mind. Obviously we need more help than this. For more information, get in touch with Ray please.
SATURDAY GANG
Commences Saturday 16th March from 9am. (Also 23rd & 30th March). Please come down and you will be assigned a task by gangmaster Ray W. There’s lots to do and your help is very much needed please.
Coupled with the Saturday Gang we shall have a CLUBHOUSE SPRING-CLEAN GANG as well on 16th March. Areas to be worked on are the Kitchen, Changing Rooms, Storeroom and main Clubhouse room. So if you don’t want to work outside we can find you a job inside.
As I’ve said before many hands make light work, and you will be rewarded with a tea/coffee break and a warm snack. Hope to see you on 16th March.
SHORT MAT
I understand the short mat season has been very successful and very well supported. Our thanks have to go to Kath & Roger for organising this, and to Derek, Betty, Fiona and Simon for keeping your thirsts at bay. The last evening will be Wednesday 20th March.
The Executive have voted to replace the clubhouse tables, which are rather past their sell by date, and an order for new tables has been placed. Hopefully these will arrive for the start of the season. This means we will have to dispose of the old small square tables. If you know of any organisation or anyone who can make use of these, before we take them to the tip, do please let us know. We also have a large circular table that is no longer used plus one small freezer surplus to requirements. Again if they will do someone a good turn, please get in touch.
Membership renewal has been excellent and is now very healthy, and must be the envy of many clubs in the Rutland, Leicestershire and Stamford areas. You will have heard that very sadly Melton outdoor bowls club has closed as their membership had dwindled to just a few players. It will be a shame not to see this fixture on our card this season. Hopefully because of our healthy members’ list we will have no trouble fielding teams in all our friendly matches this year. It is the team captains’ ambition not to have to cancel any matches due to lack of players this season, so we hope you will give us your support.
I’d like to thank Paul and Sue for their excellent quiz held in January, and whilst the turnout was disappointing the questions, close finish and fun certainly weren’t. The interval refreshments were the best we’ve had, so you missed a treat if you weren’t there. It was an excellent evening, enjoyed by all that attended.
On Saturday last Beryl’s Bonza Bingo night was held and this time the turnout was really good. She was ably assisted by Barrie, Doreen, Paul and Sue. Thank you to them all for a super night. Of course on both occasions our thirsts were looked after by Betty and Derek, so thanks as always to them.
Would be really good to hear from more gentlemen who would be willing to help with after match teas on Saturdays and Thursdays.
Fixture cards will be coming out very soon, and these will be accompanied by the Club Competition entry form. I’m hoping that this year we have a bumper entry across all competitions – go on make my day!!
OPENING NIGHT FRIDAY 5TH APRIL FROM 6.30pm
President Beryl will bowl the first bowl on the green and we are good to go. Come down and reacquaint yourself with everyone, enter the club comps, put your names down for the friendly matches, and generally get in the mood for the season to come.
Just a reminder that our Open Day is on Saturday 18th May. A separate notice will be going out in April giving further details, but once again we will be looking for volunteers to help on the day. Last year we had a fantastic turnout of volunteers so it’s hoped you will help us out again this year.
And some very sad news to finish this newsletter - we heard recently that Sue Noble has passed away. Many of you will remember her and Graham who were members here for many years. Our thoughts and condolences go to Graham and the family.