Game v West Ealing - Saturday 24th August
This game has been cancelled because of problems in getting players for a friendly at West Ealing.

Jim starts his term as President
At the AGM today Jim Mcdonnell was elected President ot the Association for 2024

Jim is seen accepting the president’s chain from the outgoing President Carle Atkinson MBE. The presentation was done a week early at the end of the fixture against Cambridge Park as we have not found a method of transferring it by Zoom.

The President’s charity for 2024 is Prostate Cancer

Jim is a Merthyr Lad and he will be taking the Association ‘home’ to play two games in his home town at the end of April.

Bowls England Nomination for Umpire of the Year

One of our members Keith Sawdon has been nominated for Umpire of the year.
His commendation reads
Keith stands out as an exceptional and loyal umpire and marker, for Berkshire Bowling Association and at the Aviva National Finals at Leamington. In an era when qualified umpires are scarce in Berkshire, Keith has demonstrated unwavering dedication by officiating at numerous games, often at the expense of his family time.
Despite the challenges, he willingly gives his time to ensure the smooth running of matches. Keith’s commitment to his role is underscored by his extensive knowledge and fairness. His up-to-date understanding of rules and regulations, combined with his friendly and approachable demeanour, eliminates any questioning of his decisions on the green.  
Beyond officiating, Keith has contributed in many ways to bowls. He has served on the Berkshire Management Committee for many years, where he played a key role in managing the association’s website. As the primary Green Keeper for his club in Bracknell, Keith ensures the quality of the playing surface. His willingness to assist anyone with sport-related issues highlights his passion for the game and his dedication to helping others navigate challenges. 

Going to Leamington

The first news of one of our members qualifying for Leamington 2024. Gary Taylor a member of the Flitwick club with his three teammates won the Bedfordshire Senior Fours on Sunday the 28th of July. Well done Gary and your 3 companions. Best of luck at Leamington. I am sure that there will be more to follow.

Good luck to all our competitors at Leamington.

AGM

The reports and draft minutes from the 2022 AGM are on the website. Please go to the Members area and the AGM heading. The 2022 AGM was held by Zoom on the 30th of January 2022 at 10.30 am. All the relevant papers and the draft minutes are on the website.

Presidents Charity

The presidents Charity for the 2021/2/3 years is the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The charity has, however, received a significant boost from the two of our members. Christine Howard and Jim McDonnell had a close friend who died of MND aged 64 in August 2021. Andrew Seamarks had suffered from MND for nearly a year and a half before he passed away. Christine and Jim have, through their efforts, have raised a significant amount to remember Andrew which they have added to the charity.

Luigi will also had the Motor Neurone Disease Association for his Charity during the 2022 year and Carole is continuing with the charity in 2023. The sum collected so far is nearly £4.000.

Membership

At the AGM in April 2017 the Association opened its membership to include all bowlers born in Wales, of Welsh descent or with a Welsh Affiliation.

Membership renewal for 2024
Many of our members renewed their membership for 2024 on the tour. The Treasurer is now in the process of ‘reminding’ all members who have not renewed their membership. It will be soon be time to call in Keith’s enforcers!!

Old Friends
In May Peter Lee, one of our past Presidents, had the privilege of playing for the Friends of English Bowling against the Royal Hospital at Sawbridgeworth.  At the game Peter came across Trevor John, originally from Pencoed but for many years a resident of Worthing where he played for Worthing Pavilion. Trevor was a member of London Welsh from about 2000-2005 until he retired to Cornwall.
He is now a proud Chelsea Pensioner. Trevor has asked me to pass on his best wishes to anyone who might remember him.  The picture shows Trevor and Peter ‘posing’ on the Sawbridgeworth green