This should be a quieter season than last – no major International series! Well. Not quite:

Short Mat: The Club is hosting the British Isles Short mat Bowls Championships on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th of October. Once again, we are proud to welcome our fellow bowlers from across the UK and Ireland to this very prestigious event. Thus – there will be no normal leagues for us on both of those days.

Subscriptions: Usual reminder at this time of year: October 10th is the deadline for paying subs (unless you took out last year’s offer of 5 years!). Anyone missing this deadline will pay the full Sub of £65.

AGM: The AGM passed off relatively quietly and the new Officers and Sub Committees will be posted shortly.

However, at this point I wish to announce that our President, Ivor Cargill, is standing down after 10 years in the post. Ivor was a founder member here and has held virtually every post in the Club, but he has held the highest offices not only at Irish, but at British and World level too. We wish Ivor all the best in his well- earned retirement.

However, I am pleased to announce that our past Chairman, Ian Bamford, has agreed to take up the Office of Club President.

At the September Management meeting all other Offices and Sub Committees were elected. A full list can be viewed on the Secretary’s noticeboard.

Members did however pass a Notice of Motion regarding re-spotting jacks after being moved from the head. Notices will be handed out at the start of the season with the scorecards explaining the change.

Rink Changes: If during the course of the season you need to make any changes to your rink you must inform the Office. Subs can of course be used, but they can not skip except in the pairs.

Reminder: if any rink is short of a player please refer to the subs lists on the boards. If any rink members are joining this season you must ensure they are fully paid up members of the Club before they play their first fixture.

Fixtures : copies of all fixtures are available at Reception. They may possibly change – please ensure you always have the most up to date copy.

Summer Leagues: We did have a successful season of Summer leagues – 4 in all. Winners are below:

Monday : JLBoyd and DMyles

Wednesday : DBrown and WMcConkey

Thursday : DBryans and PThompson

Friday : OMcEwan and PMcEwan

Honours Boards: We are purchasing some new Honours Boards for the Club and this is an opportunity for someone to have their name, or a relatives’ name, front the new boards. Costs will be negotiable. See Richard or myself.

Good news: both bowling greens have been stretched.

Once again, I repeat – a brand new carpet has been laid in the Restaurant area, and I would appeal to all our members and visitors to be careful with their trays and cups.

Clifford Craig has been appointed as the new Irish Indoor Bowls Manager : congratulations to him. At his suggestion we are offering a new league on Friday evenings – a 3 bowl pairs event for those with Inter Association or International experience.

Still with the AIIB – in this year’s Inter- Club series we are entering TWO teams, which will mean hopefully some competition for places!

NOTE: Closing dates for Men, Ladies and Seniors competitions  is September 15th.

Advance Notice: Wednesday 18 October is the day for our annual Charity Coffee Morning. This is organised by our Ladies President, Liz Kinder, and her charity is Tiny Life. This is a great cause and I would appeal to all our members and their friends to support this event.

The new Coaching season will get under way on Monday October 9th at 7.15. As usual I appeal to all our members to recruit new members for the Club.

Editor

Ken Armstrong