Newsletter
HPBC JULY 2025 NEWSLETTER
Well, I’m starting to write this in the first heatwave of the year and temperatures are rising into the 30+C. Too hot for comfort. Unfortunately, I have developed a nasty chest infection and am struggling to breathe so I’ve opted out of a few games.
Would you believe it but we’re almost halfway through the season. Results so far aren’t too bad. We’ve played 18 games, won 9, lost 8 and drawn 1. Bryony’s ladies won their first Nellie Mercer league game playing away at Lindfield. They won on both rinks and by 13 shots, 39-26. A great result. We haven’t done so well in the Mid-Sussex League, winning 2 games but losing 3.
Fortunately, I haven’t had to cancel any games so far, but I spend many hours on the telephone ringing around members trying to drum up bowlers for games where we are short. To make my life easier, I would appreciate it if, when you are down at the clubhouse, you take your diaries with you and sign up for games that you are available for. Even if you’re new to bowls, there’s no better way to get experience than to play in competitive games.
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ve been either Club Vice Captain, Club Captain or Chairman (or recently both) for over 14 years and I will be resigning at the end of this season. It’s getting a bit much for me now, I’m well into my 80s. We will need a new Captain next year so if any of our newer / younger bowlers would like to join me as Vice-Captain for the remainder of this year to get to know how it all works with a view to taking over next year, please let me know asap.
Similarly, Bryony has been Secretary, Ladies Captain and Competitions Secretary for many years and also needs a number 2 who can take over in the future.
The Competitions have been difficult this year as there are too few bowlers signing up for them and some have had to be cancelled through lack of numbers. Once again, competitions are a great way to refine your bowling skills so when you’re going through the sign-up book, please put your name down for the competitions.
At last year’s AGM a vote was taken re Club Night and by an overwhelming majority the vote was for Peters Shield on a Monday night. Well, that hasn’t worked out too well, as recent Mondays have seen only a few members turning up. The publicity team have done a great job gaining us new members and we have seen some coming down on Monday evenings to get to know the club and learn how to play bowls. This only works if our members come down, join in the Peters Shield and help with any new members.
While I’m on about new members, we also advertise that the club will be open on Saturdays between 11.00 and 01.00. A number of people interested in bowls have come through the gates to see what it’s all about so can you please ensure that if you are down for warden duty, that you open up and make members of the public welcome. The warden duty list is up on the notice board in the clubhouse. If for any reason you are unable to perform your warden duty it is important that you find someone to take your place.
I hope you all know that Sunday 6th July is a Fun Day in the Park, it’s on the fixture list. This is a great opportunity for the club to be seen in action by the public so we need as many bowlers as possible to come down to the club from about 12.00. In particular it will be a good opportunity for all our new bowlers to get to know your committee and other club members; I know most of your names, but I don’t think I would recognise you. Your esteemed committee also thinks it would be a great opportunity for new members to be given guidance and training for when they’re playing in a game, which I hope many of you will.
Our club, in addition to playing bowls, has a number of social events throughout the season which only work if people sign up for them. This is not just for the members, but their other halves are also very welcome.
Earlier this year we had our coffee morning which is a great way to renew friendships before the season starts.
Last Sunday we held the Strawberry Tea, which, after a short game of bowls, involved eating delicious scones, jam and cream (or cream and jam, depends which county you support) plus lots of juicy strawberries. 2 triples games took place prior to the tea, the home teams versus the away teams. The individual results couldn’t have been more different but the combined score in the end was that the away teams won by 1 shot, 16-15. The home team of Angela Spurr, Pam Venn and new bowler Eleanor Ricketts took on Terry Crispin, Josie Allen and another new bowler, Julie Stone. Angela’s team won 12-3. On the other rink, the home team of Sheila Howard Robin Merritt and Farron Calver took on Bryony Wood, Graham Roots and David Dunnington. This time it was Bryony’s away team that won, 13-3, giving them the 1 shot win. These team scores do not reflect the quality of bowls played.
Coming up on the 20th July, there is the BBQ. I think we all know about BBQs so there’s no need for me to go into details. There’s also a short game of bowls before you’re allowed to eat. The bowls game will be similar to the one played at the strawberry tea. If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for the bowls and BBQ or even just the BBQ if you can’t manage the bowls.
On Monday 22nd September we have the Fish and Chip supper. No need to explain, we buy in the fish and chips and enjoy another social get together.
Lastly, we have our Christmas lunch, date and details to be published nearer the date.
Well that’s it for now, have fun and here’s hoping for a successful remainder of the season.
All the best
David
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