The Annual Club Dinner took place yesterday at Ashridge Golf Club. Great job by the staff, there, btw! Dinner and service were excellent and nearly everyone stopped to say how much they had enjoyed themselves before leaving.
The annual trophy presentations took place and there'll be photos on the website soon.
And I got through my review of the season speech with only a slight pause to cut out a whole slice although a couple of jokes went with that.
Thanks to Geoff not only for being Master of Ceremonies but also for the very kind words he said about me before we closed.
Don't miss our upcoming events -
7th December - a stirrup cup of mulled wine and a mince pie as we go for a bit of Winter madness with Croquet on the Playing Fields!
10th December and 14th January - Soup and Socials at the Clubhouse from 12 noon
And a new event, 15th January 19:30, a quiz - come along as a team or join one when you arrive. Ploughmans and quiz (price tba).
Look forward to seeing you there!
Friday, 28 November 2014
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Winter Bowling
For all you diehards who don't like to find something else to occupy your time over the long winter months, you can still join us and bowl! Mondays 10-12 and by arrangement with Lesley & David, Tuesdays 19-21:00, similarly with Ted and co Thursday 10-12 there are sessions on run by club members at Dunstable Leisure Centre.
Contact me if you don't have the right telephone numbers.
So that's that one.
Also over the out season, we will be holding some events in the clubhouse including soup & socials and quizzes. There may be other events, too so watch out for newsletters and on line here, on the website and at the LGBCC site on Facebook.
I have some news on next season coming shortly.
Contact me if you don't have the right telephone numbers.
So that's that one.
Also over the out season, we will be holding some events in the clubhouse including soup & socials and quizzes. There may be other events, too so watch out for newsletters and on line here, on the website and at the LGBCC site on Facebook.
I have some news on next season coming shortly.
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
Bread Pudding Cup
Vs Wing - 1st Leg
First Leg of the inaugaral Bread Pudding Trophy and we were away at Wing. I had some concerns about the team I had been left to field but Wing has always been a friendly game and I hoped they would make allowances for a couple of players that I had put in against my better judgement.
Sadly, it was not to be. Despite the experience of the two players making up one triple, the poor old chap I put in out of kindness struggled to reach the head and the opposition bowled long jacks to make it worse. They went down 39-8 and took the rest of us with them. On the first two rinks, my three and my wife's three both won by 8.... but that 16 was just not enough. Overall, we were down 27 as the other rink, which had started so well sunk down - the other player(s) I was worried about also gave up the game. That's been the pattern and there are a few I am watching who need to learn a couple of things.
- That when you are up, there are ways to keep the concentration going and defend your lead
- That you need to fight not give up and say it's just a bit of fun... it may be a fun pasttime but you're letting your team mates down if you don't rally when the going gets tough.
Mentality is so critical in sport. You have to know where to find reserves and how to re-start your game. I don't accept playing is all. We mostly play to win. We should look to win at least as many as we lose. It's not fun to keep losing and that small minority will have to make way, sadly, for folks who understand what being part of a team means.
We have 27 points to get back when the second leg comes around. Even at home, that's a tough call. My error. I thought it would be played out in a kinder atmosphere. It proves that you should always put the best side available on the day in, especially when there is a trophy at stake.
Sadly, it was not to be. Despite the experience of the two players making up one triple, the poor old chap I put in out of kindness struggled to reach the head and the opposition bowled long jacks to make it worse. They went down 39-8 and took the rest of us with them. On the first two rinks, my three and my wife's three both won by 8.... but that 16 was just not enough. Overall, we were down 27 as the other rink, which had started so well sunk down - the other player(s) I was worried about also gave up the game. That's been the pattern and there are a few I am watching who need to learn a couple of things.
- That when you are up, there are ways to keep the concentration going and defend your lead
- That you need to fight not give up and say it's just a bit of fun... it may be a fun pasttime but you're letting your team mates down if you don't rally when the going gets tough.
Mentality is so critical in sport. You have to know where to find reserves and how to re-start your game. I don't accept playing is all. We mostly play to win. We should look to win at least as many as we lose. It's not fun to keep losing and that small minority will have to make way, sadly, for folks who understand what being part of a team means.
We have 27 points to get back when the second leg comes around. Even at home, that's a tough call. My error. I thought it would be played out in a kinder atmosphere. It proves that you should always put the best side available on the day in, especially when there is a trophy at stake.
Midsummer
Midsummer looms, Wimbledon echoes to the sound of heavy forehands and powerful services, the strawberry plants are laden and England are struggling in the latest test series. Here at the bowls club, we are getting ready for our second open day on Saturday 28th June.
It's going to be a busy week. We had the WI on Thursday to add to our usual coaching session. This week we have county in on Wednesday, Scouts join the coaching on Thursday, the cricket club come and play on Friday and Saturday is an all day open club day to recruit new members.
So how is it going? About as well as I expected but not as well as I hoped. We have recruited new members but I wanted 20-25 and we have managed a little shy of the 20 so far. Of those, I'd say only 10 will make team bowlers.
I wanted to win about half of our matches but we have lost all bar one so in the end, no better than previous seasons. We have lost more closely but lost none the less. We'll change that, soon. I'm seeing good progress. It's just a small number letting us down in more ways than one.
I wanted to have the vast majority of people motivated and pleased with the progress and we have made enormous progress given previous years - an average of 3 or less new members, two victories and little change vs this season, nearly 20 new members, a refurbished club with 4 trained coaches holding regular sessions and all the signs that we are going places.
Of course, that's not enough. The doubters and moaners want to know how we are affording it all, don't listen and don't want to know about the opportunities and although they are friendly enough to the new folks, they don't seem to register their existence - if you say a name of anyone who hasn't been there for years the answer is usually "I don't know him/her" Why not come and join the coaching sessions, recruitment days, initiatives that we run? That little core of older members don't want all that..... Maybe they'd rather we went bankrupt and closed up than everything changed. I can't wait to see what they say when they find they haven't been picked for games because the new folks have passed them by.
The thing is, the new players are keen, see the purpose of coaching and have been introduced into the club in the right way. Soon, we will have a new core,built around the new, younger committee with more people who want to help and want progress.
I feel sorry for those who just cannot see it in themselves to make a bit of effort to change and enjoy the new offerings. I suppose they think themselves above needing coaching and think they have seen it all before. Wrong on two counts.
Little Gaddesden is going places. We'll be more than just a friendly club, we'll be a club with a bit of verve and energy. People are going to know our name.
Sunday, 8 June 2014
Midsummer Highlights and Lowlights
The coaching programme is proving an undoubted success. We have put about ten or so people in one end and so far, five have come out of the other. I have now begun work on the more complex subject of tactics and understanding the game.
Hilary, Marika and Frank have done a great job with the coaching, assisted by myself, Chrissie, David and Lesley. We have definitely got four players ready for match play. There are two others who will join those within a week or two.
Now it's time to start putting more of the existing players through some coaching. We could all do with improvement. Some could do with thinking about what they do more than others!
This week has been a disappointment. Two games played, two games lost closely. The away game was always going to be a tough call against a strong Abbots Langley side on their green but we dropped the game on my rink after leading by a good margin, losing and regaining the lead twice only to lose on the last end. The second rink went down more heavily. Yesterday, we lost on our green by 5 overall. One rink went down by 10. We won on mine by 5. We ought to have won that one overall given we know our green (or should do) and the opposition play on artificial grass at home. If a home team in such different circumstances can't set off to build a decent lead , there is something wrong. We were down on three rinks when I looked about. Only mine was leading and by a good 10 at that point. I expect good players to come back but we were already 10 or 12 down next door....
So there's a new lesson we need. How to concentrate and not lose when ahead and how to build a lead when we have an advantage. We should know how to cut down heavy losses when the opposition has four or five against us but we don't always show good tactical awareness, such as ensuring we have woods behind the jack, blocking the route to a drive, coming the right way so we don't sweep the jack to their wood(s) behind the jack... and giving much better information about the head to those who are bowling into it.
Highlights and Lowlights for certain. I hope as the Summer goes on, we are going to have more highlights to celebrate. I'm beginning to grow tired of excuses why we lost....
Hilary, Marika and Frank have done a great job with the coaching, assisted by myself, Chrissie, David and Lesley. We have definitely got four players ready for match play. There are two others who will join those within a week or two.
This week has been a disappointment. Two games played, two games lost closely. The away game was always going to be a tough call against a strong Abbots Langley side on their green but we dropped the game on my rink after leading by a good margin, losing and regaining the lead twice only to lose on the last end. The second rink went down more heavily. Yesterday, we lost on our green by 5 overall. One rink went down by 10. We won on mine by 5. We ought to have won that one overall given we know our green (or should do) and the opposition play on artificial grass at home. If a home team in such different circumstances can't set off to build a decent lead , there is something wrong. We were down on three rinks when I looked about. Only mine was leading and by a good 10 at that point. I expect good players to come back but we were already 10 or 12 down next door....
So there's a new lesson we need. How to concentrate and not lose when ahead and how to build a lead when we have an advantage. We should know how to cut down heavy losses when the opposition has four or five against us but we don't always show good tactical awareness, such as ensuring we have woods behind the jack, blocking the route to a drive, coming the right way so we don't sweep the jack to their wood(s) behind the jack... and giving much better information about the head to those who are bowling into it.
Highlights and Lowlights for certain. I hope as the Summer goes on, we are going to have more highlights to celebrate. I'm beginning to grow tired of excuses why we lost....
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Gala Time
May 26th - Berkhamsted Open Triples Gala
Thirty One teams entered the Berkhamsted Gala on the second May Bank Holiday. We had been having a busy weekend already and now, arriving on a wet Monday morning with a whole day of bowling ahead, were uncertain how it would go. We entered two teams. I was leading LG Blues and Frank had the LG Reds. Playing their first Gala were Lesley and David, new to bowling last year and part of my new team. Grete and Frank brought experience with Chrissie and I providing enthusiasm but a lot less years in competition than them.
Grete, David and I started off at 10 - we would play 4 matches with an hour between each. The first was...Berkhamsted 1sts on their own rink, having played on wet ground just the day before. It wasn't the best start we could have had. We went down. The Reds drew the mercenaries, Century, who had travelled up from Middlesex with two of their men's county players and then borrowed a lady from Berkhamsted....both teams down. The Reds complained to me that Century had not been friendly and had employed gamesmanship. It was to become a familiar theme across the day as they made themselves the least popular club in any Gala I've attended. Obviously there for the money, they didn't endear themselves to Herts and Bucks....
Back we went and got down to it. Despite it raining virtually all day, despite the temperature never lifting and despite the slightly miserable start, we all enjoyed the experience. It was well run, we were well supplied with tea & coffee, home made cake and lunch. In the end, we found our stride and had we not dropped a second game by a single point after winning most of the ends, we would have been at least 4th. Little Gaddesden Blue - 7th. What a good performance, I said... the six teams that beat us included two out of area specialists, Century and Aylesbury Town plus Herts, Garston Kings Langley 1 and Berkhamsted 1. All six had at least two county players in their teams. Our teams didn't even have anyone who had entered a county competition. Little Gaddesden Reds - 12th. Also creditable. Little Gaddesden previous teams have aimed not to come last. We'll be aiming higher next year.
And everyone was glad when Century blew the last game to come 3rd. Well done Aylesbury and Garston who ended up above them.
We'll, as Arnie would say be back.....
Thirty One teams entered the Berkhamsted Gala on the second May Bank Holiday. We had been having a busy weekend already and now, arriving on a wet Monday morning with a whole day of bowling ahead, were uncertain how it would go. We entered two teams. I was leading LG Blues and Frank had the LG Reds. Playing their first Gala were Lesley and David, new to bowling last year and part of my new team. Grete and Frank brought experience with Chrissie and I providing enthusiasm but a lot less years in competition than them.
Grete, David and I started off at 10 - we would play 4 matches with an hour between each. The first was...Berkhamsted 1sts on their own rink, having played on wet ground just the day before. It wasn't the best start we could have had. We went down. The Reds drew the mercenaries, Century, who had travelled up from Middlesex with two of their men's county players and then borrowed a lady from Berkhamsted....both teams down. The Reds complained to me that Century had not been friendly and had employed gamesmanship. It was to become a familiar theme across the day as they made themselves the least popular club in any Gala I've attended. Obviously there for the money, they didn't endear themselves to Herts and Bucks....
Back we went and got down to it. Despite it raining virtually all day, despite the temperature never lifting and despite the slightly miserable start, we all enjoyed the experience. It was well run, we were well supplied with tea & coffee, home made cake and lunch. In the end, we found our stride and had we not dropped a second game by a single point after winning most of the ends, we would have been at least 4th. Little Gaddesden Blue - 7th. What a good performance, I said... the six teams that beat us included two out of area specialists, Century and Aylesbury Town plus Herts, Garston Kings Langley 1 and Berkhamsted 1. All six had at least two county players in their teams. Our teams didn't even have anyone who had entered a county competition. Little Gaddesden Reds - 12th. Also creditable. Little Gaddesden previous teams have aimed not to come last. We'll be aiming higher next year.
And everyone was glad when Century blew the last game to come 3rd. Well done Aylesbury and Garston who ended up above them.
We'll, as Arnie would say be back.....
A week of mixed fortunes
The season really starts properly, for me, when two things happen. One is we start playing games against other teams and the other is the start of the internal cup competitions.
11th May - Kitcheners
Our first fixture of the season (discounting the Vets) and we were away to Kitcheners. Kitcheners used to be the Welcome Trust team whose offices were based in Berkhamsted and "Up the Hill" in what is now Castle Village retirement centre. The club has grown significantly and has actually had to close its doors to new members twice in the last two seasons as it has hit maximum. Financially and in membership, it stands a long way above Little Gaddesden.
We set out to attack and although we lost the match, we went down by 11 over the 4 rinks having led on three right up until the break and one until the last two ends. I reflected on past efforts and was satisfied that we had made progress. We were playing a number of newish players and new triples who didn't play together last season as I start looking to build some regular teams.
14th May Berkhamsted
Traditionally, Little Gaddesden have always lost to Berkhamsted. One of the area's strongest clubs, they are always very welcoming and complimentary about our continuing efforts to move forward. It had been a rainy night and we started under cloud watched by a small crowd and a lot of rabbits along the top bank. At the halfway mark, my rink was 11-1 up and I glanced down the other scores to see to my surprise that we were up on three of the four. As the sun came out, the crowd grew and our confidence with it. At the end, we won by 11 overall - our first ever victory against Berkhamsted and away, as well. I went away feeling so pleased that the coaching and the lift in morale and belief is finally beginning to come through into our game.
A week of mixed fortune but there was promise in both matches. I think this season, Little Gaddesden will set new records. I was still feeling good even after I drew last year's men's champion, my father-in-law, Frank in the singles competition. Go on Little Gad!
11th May - Kitcheners
Our first fixture of the season (discounting the Vets) and we were away to Kitcheners. Kitcheners used to be the Welcome Trust team whose offices were based in Berkhamsted and "Up the Hill" in what is now Castle Village retirement centre. The club has grown significantly and has actually had to close its doors to new members twice in the last two seasons as it has hit maximum. Financially and in membership, it stands a long way above Little Gaddesden.
We set out to attack and although we lost the match, we went down by 11 over the 4 rinks having led on three right up until the break and one until the last two ends. I reflected on past efforts and was satisfied that we had made progress. We were playing a number of newish players and new triples who didn't play together last season as I start looking to build some regular teams.
14th May Berkhamsted
Traditionally, Little Gaddesden have always lost to Berkhamsted. One of the area's strongest clubs, they are always very welcoming and complimentary about our continuing efforts to move forward. It had been a rainy night and we started under cloud watched by a small crowd and a lot of rabbits along the top bank. At the halfway mark, my rink was 11-1 up and I glanced down the other scores to see to my surprise that we were up on three of the four. As the sun came out, the crowd grew and our confidence with it. At the end, we won by 11 overall - our first ever victory against Berkhamsted and away, as well. I went away feeling so pleased that the coaching and the lift in morale and belief is finally beginning to come through into our game.
The Horton Trophy
Every year, we have a match early-on between the Captain's team and the President's team. We try to start by ensuring there are a few players of a decent standard on each side to skip and then draw the rest at random.
The trophy (Horton Trophy) was hand carved by John Horton, a local woodworker and is without doubt, our most unique (and I think most lovely) trophy. Sadly, I had to give it up, this year as the President's team won through. Congratulations to our new President, Ted Bolton on a winning start to his tenure.
Once again, John's widow, Peggy, who was one of our regular bowlers until recently, came along with Barbara, Gladys and Marion to make the tea and provided home made cake in honour of the day. We are very grateful to her for continuing to support the trophy day every year and we look forward to seeing some of our former stalwarts. Thanks ladies... it was another good day all round. I very much hope to get the trophy back next year and restore it to its proper place on MY mantlepiece. :)
Once again, John's widow, Peggy, who was one of our regular bowlers until recently, came along with Barbara, Gladys and Marion to make the tea and provided home made cake in honour of the day. We are very grateful to her for continuing to support the trophy day every year and we look forward to seeing some of our former stalwarts. Thanks ladies... it was another good day all round. I very much hope to get the trophy back next year and restore it to its proper place on MY mantlepiece. :)
Open Day - 28th April
Ok, so I have some catching up to do..... Let's begin at the beginning.
Late April, the skies had finally cleared after several days of rain. The season opening looked full of promise and indeed it was....
The green is being cut shorter, this season. I took the decision that I wanted a rink that was closer to the standard we find elsewhere. Once this was discussed and agreed with the Greens & Buildings Manager and the committee in general, the order went out. It looked so good on the opening day.
We had over 20 people, many from the 32 who had expressed an interest at our recruitment drive in Hemel. Our target, remember, for 2014-15 is 50 new members. That represents the number required to make the club financially stable.
Of the 14 who were genuinely there with a view to joining, we recruited 9 with 5 down to return later and consider a little longer if they were going to join up. Not a bad start. We also got back two valuable former members who had been much missed, having left looking for more competition. Seeing what was happening at Little Gaddesden and my ambitions taking shape, they returned to the fold and a big welcome.
In parallel with the other activity, we had committed to getting some coaches qualified through the BDA. Now, setting out coaching rinks, our new trainee coaches begun their work in earnest. Over the next six to eight weeks, they were going to run coaching rinks every Monday morning and every Thursday evening.
With high hopes, then, we began the season proper.....
Late April, the skies had finally cleared after several days of rain. The season opening looked full of promise and indeed it was....
The green is being cut shorter, this season. I took the decision that I wanted a rink that was closer to the standard we find elsewhere. Once this was discussed and agreed with the Greens & Buildings Manager and the committee in general, the order went out. It looked so good on the opening day.
We had over 20 people, many from the 32 who had expressed an interest at our recruitment drive in Hemel. Our target, remember, for 2014-15 is 50 new members. That represents the number required to make the club financially stable.
Of the 14 who were genuinely there with a view to joining, we recruited 9 with 5 down to return later and consider a little longer if they were going to join up. Not a bad start. We also got back two valuable former members who had been much missed, having left looking for more competition. Seeing what was happening at Little Gaddesden and my ambitions taking shape, they returned to the fold and a big welcome.
In parallel with the other activity, we had committed to getting some coaches qualified through the BDA. Now, setting out coaching rinks, our new trainee coaches begun their work in earnest. Over the next six to eight weeks, they were going to run coaching rinks every Monday morning and every Thursday evening.
With high hopes, then, we began the season proper.....
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
So, just a couple of weeks and the new season will be here. As the days get brighter and warmer, it just increases the anticipation.
I can't wait to be out there with the sunshine on my back in that peaceful setting. Little Gaddesden has much to offer, not least an escape from the hurley burley of life in general. On the bowls green with the birds singing, the wind whispering through the grasses in the adjacent field and the sun falling on the distant church, you can take a deep breath and feel removed from it all, for a while.
This year, we have set ourselves an ambitious target. We will double our overall membership to 100. The aim is to increase the active bowling section by enough players that I can run three teams seperately and still have competition to get into all three.
I have already accepted an invitation to join the Berkhamsted Gala Day in May. I just need to sort out who is playing there. With the former ladies champion returning to us, there will be increased competition in that section, too. We will be entering a ladies team in the West Herts League from next season.
Open Day 26th April. Our first chance to see some of the would be players. Monday 28th 10-12 also - the first casual roll up of the season. Let's hope this is a good one for the club and the beginning of a long warm Summer.
I can't wait to be out there with the sunshine on my back in that peaceful setting. Little Gaddesden has much to offer, not least an escape from the hurley burley of life in general. On the bowls green with the birds singing, the wind whispering through the grasses in the adjacent field and the sun falling on the distant church, you can take a deep breath and feel removed from it all, for a while.
This year, we have set ourselves an ambitious target. We will double our overall membership to 100. The aim is to increase the active bowling section by enough players that I can run three teams seperately and still have competition to get into all three.
I have already accepted an invitation to join the Berkhamsted Gala Day in May. I just need to sort out who is playing there. With the former ladies champion returning to us, there will be increased competition in that section, too. We will be entering a ladies team in the West Herts League from next season.
Open Day 26th April. Our first chance to see some of the would be players. Monday 28th 10-12 also - the first casual roll up of the season. Let's hope this is a good one for the club and the beginning of a long warm Summer.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)