Welcome to the first Newsletter for the 2025 season! It is hoped we can build on the success the club had in 2024 – Winners of Hovingham League’s Waltham Cup, Phil Bointon and Tom Murphy winning Ryedale Vets League’s Vivian Booth Pairs competition and the Scarborough Vets team runners up in the league’s Cup competition – whilst having fun at the same time. Social bowling will continue to take place on a Saturday afternoon. For those who will be joining our club for the first time a very warm welcome and please ask if there is anything you are unsure about. Anyone receiving this newsletter who will not be rejoining this season and no longer wishes to receive emails and newsletters please let me know so your information can be removed from the club’s contact list. Jean.
NEW FOR 2025
The club now has an email address : pickeringbowlingclub@gmail.com, please use this for any correspondence relating to club matters.
We also now have a website – www.pickeringbowling.co.uk – which is still being developed but information regarding the club is on the site, including details of home league fixtures and links to three of the leagues in which we compete.
The committee, in an attempt to give both new and seasoned members an opportunity to play on a more regular basis, have entered a second team into the Scarborough Vets League. Robert Rayner will continue to captain the “Pickering” team, while Geoff Clark will captain the “Pickering Pikes” team. Once the captains receive the names of members who wish to play in the Scarborough Vets League, they will put together a “squad” of players for each team and there will be no inter changing between teams during the season.
PRE-SEASON WORKING PARTY
In order to get the green and surrounding area “ship shape and Bristol fashion” for the start of the season the committee would like volunteers to form a working party on Monday 31st March and/or Tuesday 1st April. This will include, but not exclusively, putting the benches out, cleaning the chairs and mats and general tidying up around the green. If you are able to help please let Stuart, Robert or Jean know. Remember more hands make light work!
BOWLING GREEN OPENING EVENT SUNDAY 6th APRIL from 1.30pm
This will be the same format as last year. After signing on and fees paid (which can be done by BACS beforehand or cash on the day) there will be a short format “fun” game of bowls, organised by Geoff Clark. If you intend to play in this it would help with organisation if you can let myself or Geoff know beforehand. The game will of course be weather dependant as the green will not be open to members until later in the month when pre-season work has been completed, so if it is too wet it will not take place. Following the game there will be a “bring and share” tea so please come along with something savoury or sweet, homemade or bought, if you are able. The club will provide tea and coffee but we do need someone to organise this on the day and for volunteer helpers to set up and clear away. Please contact Jean if you are able to help in any capacity.
BOWLING IS FUN !
FRIENDLY CLUB GAME SUNDAY 13TH APRIL 2PM
A pre-season club friendly between “Afternoon” league players and “Evening” league players is to take place on Sunday 13th April, to have some fun while practising before the leagues start. Robert Rayner will captain the “Afternoon” team and Phil Bointon will captain the “Evening” team. The teams will be chosen from those who have put their names on the team sheets and the friendly sheet on the sign on day. For anyone who is unable to attend the sign on day but knows which leagues they would like to play in and would also like to play in the friendly please email Jean so your name can be added to the lists. This should be a fun afternoon and the fun will begin for the two captains when choosing players who wish to play in both afternoon and evening leagues!!!
Please remember when playing league games, club competitions and friendlies white tops and grey bottoms must be worn in accordance with the constitution. Also in league games bowls should carry Pickering Bowling Club stickers. If you have new bowls and require stickers please speak to Robert or Jean.
CLUB COMPETITIONS
The same competitions as last season will take place and the lists for entry to the club competitions will be on the noticeboard within the rec club from 6th April and names can be added until the closing date for entries on 6th May. Penny Johnson is organising the competitions this season and will be in touch with draw and deadline dates for each round after the entries have closed. Remember you must be available to play on the finals day Monday 25th August, so please make a note in your diaries.
SOCIAL BOWLING SATURDAY’S AT 2pm
We will commence our Saturday social sessions on Saturday 3rd May, weather permitting. At the AGM it was asked whether social bowling could be more structured. An email was sent out to gauge people’s opinions, thanks to those who replied. For this season it has been proposed that the following can be offered: Turn up and play as in previous seasons; Triples, as in previous seasons; or in a quick bowls format i.e. a maximum of three sets of 5 ends; Aussie pairs in a quick bowls format. Also a selection of instruction sheets for bowls drill will also be provided for anyone to use and set up. Everything depends on who and how many players turn up wanting to do each option, there will be no pressure for anyone to do anything they don’t want to. This will be an opportunity for members to get together for a friendly afternoon of bowls, whilst also providing new or prospective members an opportunity to receive instruction in the game of bowls. Everyone is welcome to attend. To assist with organisation a list will be put up on the noticeboard for people who are available to open up and lock up these sessions. Any questions please contact Stephen Chapman, Social Secretary, at thechapmans25@aol.com or telephone 07733 056664. Stephen
BOWLATHON IN AID OF PANCREATIC CANCER
Steve Taylor, former Rec Club steward and member of the bowling club, sadly passed away in February. In his memory we would like to hold a “bowlathon” on Sunday 13th July, as part of the Rec Club’s Family Fun Day. This will require 12 members, 4 teams of triples, each playing 3 x 1 hour games with 1 hour break between each game so there will be bowling continually for six hours! Final details are yet to be made but if you are interested in playing or helping please get in touch with Jean.
