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Newsletter

HPBC LATE MAY / JUNE 2025 NEWSLETTER

I’m writing this a little early as, hip hip hooray, we’re off on a well-earned holiday, cruising to the Baltic from 31st May to 13th June. Those of you who know us, realise that we enjoy our regular cruises.

NOTE TO ALL MEMBERS - PLEASE REMEMBER THAT OUR CLUB OPEN DAYS ARE 24th and 26th May. Our publicity team has advertised this extensively so we need as many club members as possible to welcome members of the public. Hopefully they will then join our club.

Our season is well underway and so far no games have been cancelled but I’m spending many hours telephoning members to drum up sufficient names for the teams. Can I remind everyone, that when you’re at the clubhouse, please sign up for the games that you are available for. The sign-up book is always on the desk. If you can’t make a game that is up on the notice board, PLEASE call the captain of the day, don’t just cross your name out. I’m still short of bowlers for many of the games in May and June, including the away Town Challenge on Wednesday 4th June. I really don’t want to cancel games due to a shortage of bowlers.

This also goes for both the Mid-Sussex and Nellie Mercer leagues. The availability lists are up on the left-hand end of the notice boards. Please sign up for as many games as possible; these games can’t be cancelled; they must be played otherwise we lose large numbers of points in the league.

The club has gained quite a few new members this season so can I encourage our new members to sign up to the games, friendly and league, where you are able. This way you will gain experience and enjoy the social aspect of playing other local clubs.

Just a reminder, to make parking cheaper, we have discounted parking at the Pavilions, so if you haven’t already done so, please give your car number plate to Kamran. In addition, the BT car park is free after 5.00. It all helps.

Results from the games so far have been mixed. I’ve sent out the report on the Cranleigh game, not the best. At the time of writing we’ve won 3, lost 2 and drawn 1 game.

Our club night is on every Monday where we play Peters Shield; a great way to practise your bowling and learn the role of different members of a team.

There has been a couple of instances recently where members leaving the club haven’t locked up properly.  If you are the last to leave the club, can you please ensure that you check and lock the toilets, in particular the ladies toilet, as it sometimes has been known that the flushing button sticks down and it continues to run. In addition, please turn back on the electric fence and also make sure the small key box is shut correctly and that the combination on all padlocks is scrambled.

The warden duty list is up on the notice board in the club-house. Can you please check when you are on duty and be there to open at 11.00. The publicity team have advertised extensively that the club is open at various times including Saturdays for any potential new members to come and try bowls for free. Please make a note of names and contact details of anyone who turns up. If for any reason you are unable to perform your warden duty it is important that you find someone to take your place.

Our green manager David Clifton continues to work hard to maintain the green. Seton Wood, who doesn’t play bowls, also comes down 2 or 3 times a week to mow and maintain our equipment. A big thank you to David, Seton and the team for all their hard work. BUT the team still need volunteers to help, so if you can spare time on a regular basis can you please let David Clifton know.

Bryony Wood, in addition to being our committee secretary, ladies Captain, also manages the in-house competitions. The sign-up lists are up on the notice board in the locker room. Please sign up if you would like to play in any of the competitions.

Have fun and here’s hoping for a successful season.

All the best

David

HPBC MAY 2025 NEWSLETTER

I’m writing this at the end of April and a heat wave is forecast for later in the week, amazing for this time of year. At the time of writing, we’ve played 2 games, lost 1 and won 1.  Southwater, as always, have many members and played very strong teams against us and we lost on all 4 rinks. Thankfully our first home game against East Grinstead was much better. We won 2 rinks and lost 2 but won overall by 22 shots. Let’s hope this bodes well for the future.

For my sins, I am now Club Captain once again as there were no volunteers to take on this role at the AGM. (Just a reminder I will definitely not take on this thankless task next year.)  As always the sign-up folder is on the desk in the club-house so I would appreciate it if you would make my life easier by signing up to as many games as you feel able to play in.  I am still short of bowlers for many of the early season games, including the Mid-Sussex league games which start on Tuesday 6th May and continue through until Tuesday 5th August. Without members signing up to play in friendlies and leagues, I will have to cancel games if we are short of bowlers.

David Clifton has put up the list of Wardens in the club-house so please check when you are on duty. If for any reason you are unable to perform your warden duty it is important that you find someone to take your place.  It is essential that the club is opened on Saturdays as the publicity team has advertised extensively for potential new members to come and try out bowls from 10.00am. Let’s face it, we need lots of new members for the continuing viability of the club. When on warden duty, if there is a home game on the Saturday or Sunday, these will be shown on the notice board, can you please lay up the tables for tea, it will save the Match Captain time on the day of the match.

Our green is looking very good for the time of year, but the green team will need help throughout the season so if you can spare time on a regular basis can you please let David Clifton know.

As most of you will know, we have 2 important early season fixtures. These are known as the Town Challenge where we play a home and away game against our local rivals, Horsham Bowls Club. If you can play in this year’s games on the 25th May and 4th June, please sign up, it would be nice to win again.

Just a reminder that at the last AGM we voted for only one Club Night on a Monday evening where we play Peters’ Shield.  These games are ideal for all new and experienced players. We play 12 ends and after each 4th end we redraw for playing position and rink.  It’s a good way to get experience of playing in different team positions. If you are available, please come down to the club.

We have discounted parking at the Pavilions so if you haven’t already done so, please give your car number to Kamran so that he can register it with the council.

Have fun and here’s hoping for a successful season.

All the best

David