‘BIBC NEWS’ – 2015 Summer

Welcome to the Summer edition of your Club Newsletter. I trust you have had a pleasant and dry summer. However, onwards and upwards as they say. We are looking forward to a big year in Belfast. For a start the Club is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary- more details anon.

I am glad to say that our 3 Summer leagues have gone well, and for the future I can only see more leagues at this time, since weather patterns seem to be changing.

Maintenance: A new carpet will be fitted in the entrance hall, but please continue to wipe your feet well etc in order to protect our bowling carpets.  As usual the maintenance team have been busy painting and sprucing the place up ready for another season.

Driving: the aspect of driving has come up again. While we cannot ban driving we may consider banning members from driving in PRACTICE. But once again, can I ask members during match play – if they are going to drive to advise neighbouring rinks. This is for health and safety reasons!

Another yearly concern- Disabled Parking. I would (yet again) appeal to our members not to use these spaces if they are fit enough to use the rear carpark. Secondly, for those who do use Disabled spaces, you MUST display the appropriate sticker.

Men’s AIIB Competitions: Looking ahead – a change for the AIIB Championships this year. All matches will start in October with the Club matches following later in the year. Watch the noticeboards. Entry forms for the AIIB competitions will be included in the summer packs or in e-mail. Men’s Club competition entry competition forms will be available from November.

Advance notice: Scotland’s Alex Marshall will be in the Stadium promoting the new range of Aero bowls early in the season. Watch for the date on the noticeboards.

The AGM – this year will occur on Tuesday 25^th August at 7.30pm.  On this, our 50^th anniversary, I would appeal for a big turnout. A vote will be taken regarding subscriptions. The usual incentive of free membership for the year ahead is on offer.

Open Days for New Members: Wednesday 26^th and Friday 28^th August from 4-11pm. Once again, I would appeal to our own members to encourage friends, relatives etc to join the Club. Remember, a bigger membership helps to keep subscriptions and expenses down. Coaching will be available on those days. Our own members can bring new friends etc along on those days but we would ask them to only bowl on their own open days later on.

Members Open Evenings: This year our members open evenings will be held on Tuesday 8^th, Wednesday 9^th and Thursday 10^thSeptember, from 4 – 11pm.  Our usual incentive remains – if you propose a new member, you will get a voucher for 4 x 2hr sessions of bowling.

Coaching: The usual Coaching classes for Beginners will happen in October – watch for dates.

Club Shop: The bowls shop continues to grow from strength to strength due to some of the most competitive prices in the UK.  Keep an eye out for special offers during the season.  Speak to John for prices and available stock.

Subs Lists: A reminder if you are not part of a rink and would like to be, you can add your name to the relevant subs list stating your availability.

Rink Changes: Again another reminder that if any changes occur to your rink during the year, due to ill health, injury or someone dropping out, must be notified to the Management

Winter Leagues: This Newsletter is going out with the Summer packs as we call them.  For those responsible for returning league entries etc please reply asap.  There are always late entries and these hold up the Management staff from completing the winter leagues.  Assuming all the entries are received on time, the new leagues will be available from Friday 4^th September.

The new leagues will start on Monday 14th September!

The Club’s facilities are open to members to use for anniversaries, and other celebrations. The Restaurant will be happy to help out in this regard. Talk to the staff. Enjoy the rest of your Summer!

Editor