July 24 update

We are halfway through the season - very scary as summer is rushing by but I am sure prolonged warmth with only gentle overnight showers will arrive soon.

Lots has been happening so here goes with a quick update

Friendly Matches

We have got teams out for all our games and have had some good results although sadly had to cancel our home friendly v Headcorn due to rain. However, we are struggling to select full teams for several matches coming up. The lists are up at the club house but we need names for these fixtures if we are to get out enough triples. Please can you check for Sunday 21st July away at Charing (we need 2 more), Thursday 25th July away at Ashford Rail (we need lots!) and Sunday 28th July home against Staplecross. These 3 are all good fixtures and it would be very sad if we have to go out short or in the worst case cancel. If you can play, please email Christine.

Good news is that last week against Northiam we had 3 of our newer bowlers (Janet, Kathy and Ranjan) playing lead in each of our 3 triples. They all played really well and we won overall and on all three rinks.

League Games

Our Weald A team has gone top of division 2 after a good win against Headcorn away last week. (4 games left). The Weald B team have had some very tough games but are 6th and well ahead of the teams below them with 5 games to go. The men are 2nd in the Maidstone League Division 5 with 4 games left- They play the current leaders, Headcorn, at home this coming Friday - support welcome!! Good luck to the players in the remaining matches.

Juniors

We ran a really successful interschool match between years 5 and 6 from John Mayne and St Michaels Junior Schools. After the spider and 2 rounds of matches John Mayne won by 168 points to 164. 36 chlldren took part (with over 40 having attended coaching and activity sessions over the previous 3 weeks). Many thanks to the helpers.

Our intergenerational tournament took place last Saturday. 6 pairs with a player over and under 18. Each team played 4 sets of 6 ends in the Bowls Bash format and took part in a spider and corner to corner. Ruth won the main event with 9 year old Chloe (now a member of our junior section). Roger and grandson Michael came 2nd.

Junior sessions continue to take place most Sunday mornings on 2 or 3 rinks from 10 to 11.30. We now have 5 junior members hopefully with one more joining shortly.

Work on the Green / work crew / Regular volunteers

This morning's work crew (Paul, Jim, Jeannette, Roger, Ken, David, Ruth, Kim) scarified/verticut the green 2 ways and mowed. The green was weeded and squirrel holes filled (they have been digging up buried acorns!), club house cleaned and final boards fitted beside the new ramp. Cleaners cupboard was mopped as water is getting into the back of the toilet block we think via the gutter- needs clearing! Shirley has fitted a slow drip irrigation system on the bank and Roger has weed killed paths/along metal fence. Green and surrounds need ongoing work so please if you can help talk to Paul or come along on Monday morning. As we left today 7 wagtails were happily on the green and flying up to chase bugs.

Mike, Gail & Barbara are brushing one day a week and Ken, Paul & Martin W are mowing one day a week. The COGS team did the Chelsea chop and conintue to maintain the bank/planters, Jim/Jeannette are busy creating tubs/hanging baskets and 9 members on the "toilet rota" ensure the block is cleaned once a week.

Our club really does depend on this support.

Ladies Day

Planning is going apace and hopefully lots of you have agreed roles in the days running up to and on the day. If you have any queries please get in touch with Barbara.

Canterbury Ladies Tournament 14th July 2024

Ruth, Sue and Kim played in the tournament and won all 3 of their games (v teams from Folkestone, Canterbury and Aylesham). After a count back of ends they finished 3rd out of the 27 triples entered. Well done Girls!!