A lovely evening to open the green and see so many bowling.  I was a bit too late to join in but it will need a few weeks before proper bowling can be done as it is naturally pushy after all the rain and the cut can’t be as low as it will be by the end of the month.  We will get there and the more we play on it, the better it will become.

Well done to the Greenkeepers and all the ‘green’ members.

Thanks to everyone who sang Happy Birthday and gave me the cake, organised by Karen.  A lovely surprise!  It was Jacquie E’s birthday on Wednesday, Marie’s today and Ange and Ray V’s coming up later in the month – and probably a whole host more.  May is a popular month!

Karen and Shaf headed off to Ashford to play their National Mixed Pairs – not easy when, through no fault of your own, you haven’t been able to deliver a bowl before a competition match.  They came off second, but it was still good experience.

Ann H & Peter J and Paul A & Elaine also came off second in their National Mixed Pairs, whilst Tina C & Ashley scraped through when the opposition skip’s final bowl knocked Tina’s bowl in for shot and match.  Ouch!  Martin must have felt awful snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.  We’ve probably all been on a similar winning and/or losing situation.  It happens and leaves both pairs feeling awkward.

This afternoon, it’s the first Richmond & Barnes League match and we’re heading over to Mid Surrey for a 2:30 pm start.  Tomorrow we’re at home to Masonians (Dave says their green is heavy too) starting at 3:30 pm.  It would be lovely to see any supporters and spectators at both events.  Don’t forget to apply the suncream – it’s due to be 25C today!

Whites with club or white shirts for both matches.

Competition season is now well under way (thank goodness we didn’t have to play on 21st April as one Mixed Pair over in Essex had to!).

Richmond & Barnes draws are up on the noticeboard, but all competitors should have had a copy – please let Dawn know if you haven’t.

Next Saturday, 18th, it’s the Middlesex Ladies Double Rink v Eastcote at 10:00 and on 19th, it’s the Over 60’s Tony Allcock Mixed Double Rink with Peter J, Laurence, Karen, Jacqui, Jean, Dawn, Norman and Steve G taking to the green v Bishop Duppas at 10:00.

This match will be followed by the Middlesex v Kent Ladies Walker Cup starting at 13:30 with Tina and Cathy T from CP playing and Dawn as reserve.

Did any of you who live a bit further out see the Aurora Borealis?  There are too many street lights in London or I just wasn’t terribly observant last night.

Some of us had a County match today v Hertfordshire in Potters Bar. The green was a little spongy but the weather was absolutely glorious – proper bowls weather!

Friday also looks to be pretty good as well

Karen would like your South Middlesex Competition entries by 3:00 pm Friday. If you’re not a the club before then, you can give her a ring to let her know what you’d like to enter.
From 5:00 pm on Friday, Steve B and Jon D will be rolling up to celebrate the green opening with a beer and hopefully lots of you! You can have a few ends, you can play for 30 mins or an hour or longer and sign up for Friday night leagues if you haven’t done so already.
Let’s get the outdoor season going with a bumper bowls and social evening!

Whilst waiting for Friday, have a few practice swings without anything in your bowling arm, just to get the feel of bowls movement, shifting weight from back to front foot. Progress to having a tin of baked beans or the like in your hand so your muscles get the feel of moving with a little bit of weight.
See you on Friday around 5:00!

Thanks to all those who signed up for the matches.  Whites with club/white shirts both days.

Teams are as follows

Saturday – Away v Mid Surrey – 2:30 pm start.  Tea and biscuits after.

Laurence, Ray, Scott & Norman

Tricia, Karen, Gym & Dawn

Ange, Paul A, Jacqui & Steve G

Captain of the Day;  Norman

 

Sunday – Home v Masonians – 3.30 pm start – yes, 3.30!

Paul A, Jon D, Gym & Jacqui

Linda M, Steve B, Karen & Peter J

Tony O’B, Ray, Elaine & Peter T

Captain of the Day:  Peter J

 

Welcome to new members Elaine & Paul (formerly Hurlingham Park) for their first match as well as our Friday Night League organisers, Steve B and Jon D who I believe will also be debuting for CP in an outdoor match on Sunday.

Teams have been emailed from dawnduskmidnight email – so if you’re named above and haven’t received an email, please check your junk folder!

The green will be open for play from 2:00 pm on Friday.
Isn’t that the best thing you’ve heard in the last 3 weeks?!

The Friday Night Leagues won’t be starting this week but hopefully next week. Please sign up on the notice board and Steve B will be delighted to welcome you!

Happy Outdoor Bowling!

Steve B was very disappointed to wake up yesterday morning, one week before the Friday Night Leagues were due to start, only to find some more wet stuff was dropping from the sky.  “Oh no!”, he exclaimed.  And he wasn’t the only one who said words to that effect yesterday!

So, with the green not fit for play today, it means there is less footfall of outdoor members at the Club to sign up for Friday Night Leagues this week, as well as matches – we’re playing Staines away on Thursday and Mid-Surrey and Masonians in the RBL League next Saturday and Sunday.

However, we are looking forward to seeing some of you this afternoon Saturday for a social get together, renew subs and friendships and get into gear for the outdoor season from 2:30.  Peter J is hopeful, with this week’s better, less wet but warmer weather forecast, there is a chance we’ll open on Friday 10th.

If you would like to join in the Friday Night Triples Leagues but can’t get to the club, ring the club or let any club member know so they can add your name to the list, or send a message through the website or to cambridge_park@btconnect.com with Friday Night League in the subject heading. Plenty of options!

Although there are enough names for 6 teams, there aren’t quite enough for 6 squads.   Play starts between 5:00-5:30 and is usually about 12 ends, lasting 2 – 2.5 hours. There has always been a good buzz on Friday nights during the summer with lots of bowls, plenty of banter, good socialising as well as enjoying the summer evenings in good company whether playing or not.

At the moment, all we can hope for is Camelot where …

“The rain must never fall till after sundown.

By eight, the morning mists must disappear”,

In short there’s simply not

A more congenial spot

Than happy outdoor lawn bowling than here in Cambridge Park!.”

 

Thanks to Andy H for his hard work and straight lines!

The sun wasn’t out this morning but evidence of yesterday’s working party is very visible encouraging some sunny, warmer days!
The green is ok on the surface but a little tender deeper down so it needs another week to firm up.
Informal roll up on Saturday 4th starting at 2:30. All welcome. Dress code casual.

Around 22 members came along yesterday morning to prepare the green surrounds on what turned out to be a dry morning. Brilliant!

Andy managed to paint most of the car park lines and will finish off this morning.
Karen and Brian Cr were therefore very busy in the kitchen making bacon rolls for everyone and Alasdair was the barman serving the drinks.  ( Jane is on holiday so we hope she’s enjoying her break,)

A big thanks to everyone on a successful morning.

PS. If you feel you’ve got a bug for working outdoors, please sign up to Karen’s Gardening Club to  do some work on the flowerbeds and not leave it all to Gym !