Latest BBC News (Banwell Bowling Club, that is!)

Ladies painting the changing room last year

Help us get the club ready

The new season will soon be upon us. Preparation is under way;

President Barry volunteering to paint last year

• Paul Aldus is getting the green ready for use - see details below. Trevor Burnett and Gerry Bean normally help with this, and more volunteers are needed

• Mike Dolling is replacing the door from the car park into the clubhouse, with help from Hilary as well as Allan Shattock

• Allan is overseeing the other works needed to make the club fit for opening in April. Most of this is painting and cleaning. Work will start on Sunday 22nd March for a week. Allan will need help, if you can spare a couple of hours, please contact him or speak to him at the pre-season drinks on 21st March

Don't forget to sign up for the year!

Most people have completed their online renewal forms, and paid the year's subscription - if you haven't done it yet, we need you to complete the form over the next 2 weeks!

The club handbook will be printed soon. If you haven't completed your renewal form, there is a risk that your contact details will be inaccurate or missing from the handbook. Click here to access the form, or look on the Spaces app.

The season's fixtures - 99 in total - have all been arranged and added to the website/Spaces app. The match calendar is open, so you can request to play online from now on.

The club gets its new defibrillator

After discussions at the AGM in November, it was agreed that we needed a defibrillator. Wendy is on the case, and the defibrillator will be installed

in mid March. CPR training sessions will be arranged once the defibrillator is in place.

If anyone would like the opportunity to contribute, you can still to donate a month’s hire (£30) to help cover the cost.

Easyfundraising

The club has received £33.85 from easyfundraising, raised from members, friends and family going through the app when shopping. Look out for a feature in the next newsletter on how to help raise funds, just by having the app on your phone.

Green report

Paul Aldus tells us that there is a lot of moss in the green, and lawn sand has been applied. Volunteers are needed to help with the following pre-season green works - please contact Paul if you can help:

1. Clean/power wash ditch backboards to remove moss/algae, weeds and accumulated soil.

2. Clear ditches of accumulated soil and debris.

3. Remove soil from and unblock all ditch drainage holes.

4. Paint rink marker boards (two coats red cedar).

5. Reinstate astro turf (removed for close season) into all ditches. (These are colour coded and numbered and will need some direction) 

6. Clean all rink markers and numbers. Re-paint/touch up as necessary (kept in equipment shed).

This season, the club will purchase a hose, applicator gun and wetting agent tablets to spot treat dry patch during the summer. Paul has reinstated the watering system but would like someone else as a back up to understand how to do this. Any volunteers?

New tech in the clubhouse

As you know from the last news bulletin, we were awarded £500 from the Tesco

initiative we applied for last year. This will be used to provide some secured screens in the clubhouse to help members to make better use our website and app. Training and advice will also be available as needed.

We will be trying a new online 'reserve a rink' feature for informal rollups and competitions, meaning that people will be able to see where the spaces are and book from home as well as in the clubhouse.

Look out for the new equipment and feel free to have a go!

President’s day, Sat 11th April

There will be tea provided on President's Day for £5 per head, to be paid on the day. Just to let you know, we will also have Cheddar Ales Gorge Best beer on tap.

And finally....

We are hoping to put on more social events this year, and have made a good start, with 2 successful short mat sessions in the clubhouse.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Steepholmers musical evening on 12th March at 7pm - thanks to all those who have RSVP'd to help us arrange sufficient seating. You can also turn up on the night. Don't forget your £3 cash at the door - proceeds to go to the RNLI.

We are also looking forward to pre-season drinks in the clubhouse on 21st March at 3pm. If you know anyone that would like to have a go at bowling, bring them along - see you all there!