Following the relaxation of guidance Monday’s Club Nights are back from tonight. Although Social Distancing is still the order of the day the Clubhouse and Bar will be open and tables and chairs will be available for a drink and a chat. And there will be the usual roll-up. Come and join us.

Ember’s Social Distancing Bowls was off to a prompt, if quiet, start at the stroke of midday on Saturday.

Ember’s Green is now open for Bowls, subject to Social Distancing Rules. If you want to participate you will need to book a rink. Full details of how you may use the Green under Social Distancing rules are here and the page will give you a link to the booking system.

Please note that the Clubhouse and Changing Rooms remain closed.

We are opening our Green for Social Distancing Play from Saturday 23rd May. 

Playing conditions follow Bowls England and Government advice and include the need to pre-book a rink.  Full details are on  our website page Social Distancing Bowls – Playing Arrangements.

Work started this morning to install an effective root barrier to prevent further damage to the Green from the neighbouring Leylandii hedge. The work will take a couple of days and involves digging a narrow trench, cutting existing roots and installing the barrier to prevent further ingress. Some of the larger roots can be seen laid on the tarpaulin. Afterwards new turf will be laid in readiness for play next season.

Diary Dates:

Spring Social Event – Saturday 29^th February 2020 at 7.00pm for 7.30pm start

Indoor match at Cambridge Park – Sunday March 22nd at 2 pm

Pre-Season Meeting – Thursday 9^th April 2020 at 7.00pm

Green Opens – Saturday 11^th April at 2:30pm roll-up

MEN’s CAPTAIN

We are still without a Captain for April & September, how about some more volunteers please.

Just to remind you our Captains for the other months are: –

May – Robert Postle, June – Malcolm Baird, July – Colin Jones, August – Andy Hughes

LADIES CAPTAIN                                                                                      ANNA HUGHES

To all the Lady Bowlers.  I think I’ve invited you all to the Pre-Season Lunch. If not, then I’m sorry.  Also, some of you might not have received the e-mail. (Me, computers and technology do not mix). 

Anyway, ALL lady bowlers are invited, so please let me know if you can come ASAP.

The Lunch will be at La Orient on Wednesday 18th March at noon for sit-down at 12.30.  Cost £22. Please make your cheque payable to Anna Hughes, and either send it to 17 Woodside Avenue, Esher, Surrey KT10 8JQ, or leave it on the notice board at the Club.

SPRING SOCIAL EVENT – Saturday 29^th February 2020 at 7.00pm for 7.30pm start

To celebrate Leap-Day we will be running a “Games Night” which will include shuffleboard, bagatelle, shove halfpenny and putting.

There will be an element of competition and prizes for the winners. There will also be a 2-course winter warming meal.

All this comes at a giveaway price of £10 per person. We have already had a good response so please book early to avoid disappointment by contacting Ken Homewood. (01483-282384 or kenhomewood@live.com) If you or your guests have any allergy issues please advise Ken when you contact him.

INDOOR BOWLS                                                                                                              

MOLE VALLEY CUP– Adam has selected teams for our games in the Mole Valley Cup and our first game is on Friday January 31st at 6 pm.

INDOOR MATCH AT CAMBRIDGE PARK SUNDAY MARCH 22nd AT 2 PM –Although still some way off, Adam still needs players to be able to fulfil this our second and last indoor friendly of the winter season.

Anyone who would like to play can sign up on the club’s notice board or contact Adam on 01932 889662 or e mail b.willson@ntlworld.com.

BOWLS BUDGETS                                                                                                                             DAVE BARDSLEY

We have had a good year to date due to successful hosting of outside events (NWS finals and Surrey competitions), our own fundraising efforts and reduced expenditure on green and equipment maintenance.  Many thanks are due to the helpers, supporters and attendees at these events and those who give their time to maintain the upkeep of the club.  We anticipate making a good surplus this year and Committee have agreed to use this to offset our depreciation charges in future years’ budgets, thereby reducing pressure on next year’s and future budgets.
Nevertheless the absence of any external hosting of events next year together with general increases in costs has still left us with a potential budget shortfall for next year.  To address this Committee have agreed a modest £1.00 increase in subscriptions for next year to £84.00 (£168.00 including Sports Club subscription) for full members.  New members fees will be discounted to £45.00 (£129) for their first year.  Match fees will also increase to £3, the first increase in several years, to help offset increased catering costs.
Committee is constantly looking for cost savings and other sources of revenue, including sponsorships.  If you are aware of any potential sponsors or advertisers, please let Ken Homewood know.  In the meantime, please join Easyfundraising.org and use it where you can for any internet purchases, including travel and holidays.  The few members who are currently using it raise about £80 for us each year; please join with them.

THE GREEN

We have damage to the green caused by the tree roots from a neighbouring garden. We have contacted the neighbour but at the moment we have not had a positive response. We have decided that we have to act as delay will only increase the damage, so work will start in mid-February so that the green will be playable for the beginning of the season.

NAME BADGES

Have you forgotten that Sylvia has name badges available £2 pin badge, £2.50 magnetic badge, white writing on green?  Order yours now (you only have to remember your own name at this stage!) from Sylvia:  01932 788701 or sylviatheaker@ntlworld.com

SWEATSHIRTS

Sweatshirts are still available lovingly embroidered with the Club badge and maybe also your name?  The costs range from just £22 – £25 approx.  Badge only, to sew onto existing clothing, is available for £4.  If you would like to place an order, or arrange to see the samples, please contact Sylvia 01932 788701 or sylviatheaker@ntlworld.com