March 2022 New Season 1

37 Days and Counting to the planned green opening!

This is March Newsletter “1” containing updates, information and the odd chaser. Newsletter 2 will follow shortly!!

Planned opening Day

Whilst a bit weather dependent, the grand opening of the green is Thursday 21st April at 2.00pm. This will be our first club afternoon so hope to see lots of members there. Friendlies start in late April so early practise needed. Sign up sheets for the first few friendly matches will be up at the club house from early April

Membership – Message from Linda - [email protected]

Lots of people have already returned their membership forms, entered the knockouts and paid their subscriptions. Just a reminder to those who have not yet renewed their membership - this should be done by 31st March 2022. This allows us to be ready to pay affiliation fees and prepare our membership return to Kent Bowls/Bowls England. Any queries please get in touch.

Cleaning Rota – Message from Barbara – [email protected]

We are planning this year to have a weekly “proper clean” of the toilet block and will need a small team of cleaners. Ideally, we would like to have enough so that people will do the clean no more than once a month. So those of you who don’t fancy or cannot do gardening, green keeping or other maintenance but are good cleaners and would like to join this important team please let me know.

We will be reminding all members that ensuring the toilets are clean and stocked up (toilet paper, soap, paper towels etc) before matches, club afternoons and roll ups is everyone’s responsibility!!

Familiarisation Sessions – Message from Paul – [email protected]

Session 1 took place last Tuesday on Bowls Basics – great to have 9 members there with lots of involvement and discussions. The mat line question in the quiz was widely debated!! 3 more sessions planned – 15th March 3pm: Rules and Measuring, 29th March: Marking, 6th April : Tactics.

For more information have a look at http://www.biddendenbowlsclub.org/community/biddenden-bowls-club-14964/coaching/

Volunteering – a recurring theme - Message from Joy – [email protected]

Over the next month (or 38 days!!) we have a lot to do – work on the green needs to include treatments, spiking, mowing and weeding, edge trimming and ditch clearing. There is work off the green. Shirley’s COGs team has done some great work already on the bank and other planting but slabs need levelling, lines need painting, chairs need cleaning and the club house (including kitchen and ladies changing room) need sorting and cleaning. Please get involved when you can to help and spread the load. Just turn up on a Tuesday morning or contact Jeannette, Joy or Paul if a different time/day suits you better.

First Aid Course – 28th February

What a good day this was. Fun and we all learnt lots. Looking into a defibrator at the club – hopefully we will never have to use it but like insurance it’s good to have. (Carl is on the case).

Ashford Community Lottery – Message from Kim

The first draw is on 19th March and it is great that we have 10 supporters already who between them have purchased 19 weekly tickets. Please do have a look and buy some tickets if you can. Our lottery page is at https://www.ashfordcommunitylottery.co.uk/support/biddenden-bowls-club This is an important new fundraising stream for the club and don’t forget you can win!!