Open Day and Fixtures

The new season is just 2 weeks away.

This is the first of several newsletters which will come out over the next few days. All the information is very important so please have a good read and respond as appropriate

Green Opening – 2pm Thursday 20th April.

First club afternoon of the new season. The March rain has put the work on the green behind but the greenkeeping team are still hopeful that the 20th will happen.

Open Day 30th April 2023 10am to 4pm

It is really important that we attract new members and our first open day will be a great opportunity to welcome people to the green and give them the chance to have a bowl. Publicity will be going out shortly and we will need a team of members along to help. Any visitors will be invited back to follow up sessions with coaching as needed to encourage them to join. To cover we need volunteers for the the following slots:

9.45am to noon, 11.45am to 2pm, 1.45pm to 4.15pm.

This will allow for setting up and putting away plus a small overlap between sessions. Ideally, we would like at least 6 per session in case we are busy!! Kim will be running the event and please can you let her know by WhatsApp (07795802630) or email ([email protected]) if/when you are able to help.

Good chance for a roll up during any quiet spells. We will serve tea/coffee/squash plus biscuits. Any cakes would be very welcome too.

How our teams will be selected.

Sadly, no one has put themselves forward to be captain or vice-captain and so after much deliberation the committee has agreed the following:

Friendly and Mermaid League Matches – 3 members of the committee will meet on Thursday afternoons to select teams at least 10 days ahead of the fixture date. As in the past selections will be made from people who have put their names forward as being available via the website or on the sheets at the clubhouse. The selected teams will be posted at the club house and on the website. A captain of the day will be chosen for each match. (More about this later as we will need to identify those members able/willing to undertake this role). It must be stressed that everyone playing is responsible at home matches for welcoming our visitors, getting out/putting away equipment and ensuring that the toilets and changing rooms are clean and ready!! All those who play in friendlies will be expected to do “teas” at least once during the season.

Weald League Matches – Martin Giles has agreed to “manage” the Weald League and will select the teams from the squad of players who put their names forward either to play regularly or as fill ins. Martin will use email address [email protected]. Teams will be posted up at the club house and on the website. Please can you email Martin if you would like to be in the Weald Squad stating whether you would like to play on a regular basis or are willing to fill in.

Friday Night Mens Maidstone League Matches. – Paul Buggins has agreed to “manage” the Maidstone League team and will select the teams from the squad of men who put their names forward either to play regularly or as fill ins. Paul will use email address [email protected] Teams will be posted up at the club house and on the website.

All of the fixtures and competition details are already up on the website.

Friendly (F) and Mermaid (M) fixtures start with a run of 5 home games – 29th April Staplecross (M), 3rd May Iden (M), 10th May Sellindge (F), 14th May Rye (M), 17th May Lenham (F). Availability sheets for these games are up at the green and on the Friendly/Mermaid fixtures page on the website. So please get your names down!!

Competitions

Another newsletter will follow shortly outlining what is planned and how to enter.

Easter Egg Trail around Biddenden

Look out for our amazing club EGG on the village egg trail this weekend. Brilliant creation by Jeannette (I think assisted by grandaughters!!)