West Wickham Bowling Club 2018 - Players Guide The purpose of this document is an aide memoire to the Handbook and is principally aimed at new members but existing members will hopefully find it of some use. It will be continuously updated so if you have anything to add or notice any errors or omissions please advise us. THE ITEMS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, HOPEFULLY FOR EASE OF REFERENCE Aggregates Is the title of a twice a week competition. It is run throughout the season on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Those wishing to play have to sign in by 1-45pm with the game starting at 2-00pm. There are monthly prizes. It is run by Graham Evans and Eileen Evans. Availability Players MEN Unlike most clubs the Men operate on the basis that if you have not made yourself unavailable in one of the books provided for this purpose (by the telephone near the kitchen) you are considered available for selection. When the teams are selected they are put on the notice board. Players must then tick off to confirm their availability, as soon as possible. If it is an Away match put a D by their name if they propose to go direct to the venue. Otherwise it will be assumed you are going to be at the Club in order to travel with team mates. If subsequently you find you cannot actually play put N/A by your name and inform the team manager. Players LADIES Have a book in their changing room where you indicate whether you are available or unavailable for selection. When the teams are selected they are put on the notice board. Players must then tick off to confirm their availability and if it is an Away game put a D by their name if they propose to go direct to the venue. Otherwise it will be assumed you are going to be at the Club in order to travel with other team members. If subsequently you find you cannot actually play put N/A by your name and telephone the Captain. 1
Changing Rooms Men As you enter the club from the green they are on the far left. Ladies As you enter the club from the green head to the men s changing room and they are on the right before the door to the men s Visitors Outside the club, turn left as you pass the Machine Shop if you are coming in from the car park. Charities The Club supports a charity each year and this year s charity is Parkinson s UK. The proceeds from Presidents Day and Captains Day go to the chosen charity. Cleaning and Maintenance There is a weekly cleaning and maintenance team operating in the season and monthly during the close season. Tuesday mornings from 9-00am. All help is welcome. Club facilities We would ask you to either acquaint yourself with the location of all the facilities in the club or to ask any Officer to run you through where everything is. We would also ask you to make sure you know where the fire exits are and also the first aid box, telephone etc are in the case of an emergency. It must be stressed that only authorized persons can have access to the bar and its stores and that if the kitchen is used any crockery & utensils must be cleaned after and the area left in the condition it was, hopefully, found in. Coaches The club has four qualified coaches (David Figg, Barbara Marsden, Ann Saunders and Barbara Way) so any new bowlers are encouraged to contact them to arrange for some sessions to ensure that bowls is a game that you are going to enjoy. Barbara Marsden and Ann Saunders are also qualified National Umpires. They can also advise as to what equipment, bowls, shoes etc you require together with advice as to the etiquette of the game. 2
Competitions Delegates Men s External and Internal There are numerous Bowls England and Kent Competitions that can be entered. Rather than list them all please discuss any queries with your Captain, Vice Captain or Kent County Bowls Association (KCBA) Delegate. Ladies External and Internal There are numerous Bowls England and Kent Competitions that can be entered. Rather than list them all please discuss any queries with your Captain, Vice Captain or KCBA Delegate. There are several delegates who represent the Club at the various League and Association meetings and AGM s. Men Kent County - PCL League - LX League - NWK League - Bowlers Hospital Amenities Fund B.B.&D.B.A. Ian Way Malcolm Whitehead David Figg John Muddle Keith McQuitty Keith McQuitty Ladies Kent County - NWK League - Ann Saunders Pauline Palser Dress Code Is as described in the handbook. However please note:- Men s Fixtures Club shirts for all representative games. LX League Games Club shirts with grey trousers. NWK League games Club shirts with grey trousers. Ladies Fixtures Jubilee League Games NWK League games Club shirts with white s below the waist and white shoes. Club shirts with grey s below the waist. 3
Mixed games Club shirts. Entry to the Club and the Pavilion The main entrance and car park is off Corkscrew Hill and this is the entrance that should be used during the bowls season. The car park gate and the inner gate to the green both have padlocks which operate off the same key. Likewise the entrance gate from Silver Lane also opens with the same key. These entrances should be open when you require access for matches and competitions. Access to the Visitors Changing Room is also by key and this allows access to two toilets should the Main Pavilion be locked. Keys to the main gate and Visitors Changing Room can be purchased from the General Secretary Peter Searle for 5 which will be refunded to you if you return them should you leave the club. These keys will not provide access to the main pavilion if it is locked. Equipment The mats, jacks, score boards and other equipment are stored in the shed next to the old water feature in the corner of the green next to Silver Lane. This container has a padlock on it which has a 4 digit code which can be obtained from any Bowls Club committee member. The ability to open the main clubhouse, pavilion and changing rooms etc is limited to around 20 Officers of the club as it is protected by a security alarm. During the bowls season the clubhouse will, generally speaking, always be open when there are games being played and every evening so you need to keep abreast of what is going on by looking at the fixture book and the rink reservation book. The reservation book can be found on the ledge by the main doors of the pavilion Finals Day Is on Saturday 15 th September. Anyone entering competitions should ensure they are available for Finals Day. Green We are very protective of our green and there are two notice boards which indicate whether ground sheets and or pushers (equipment to move bowls around the green) can or cannot be used. This is controlled by the Green Ranger or one of his committee. The ground sheets and nails can be found in the equipment locker. Seek help if you need to lay the ground sheets. 4
Handbook Each year a club handbook is produced, normally in March / April, which contains a list of all the clubs fixtures for the season plus a full list of the names and telephone numbers of all full members plus the Life and Social Members. Also listed in the booklet is a list of all the Officers of the club and the various committees together with a summary of Club Rules and some Important Notices which we would urge all members to make themselves fully acquainted with. Handicaps Men The handicaps are worked out by Phil Broomfield (Competition Secretary) and then discussed with the Selection Committee ( Keith McQuitty, Ian Way, John Muddle, Geoff Bailey) before ratification. Any queries should be raised with the Competition Secretary. Ladies The handicaps are worked out by Anne Simmonds (Competition Secretary) and then discussed with the Captain and Vice Captain. Any queries should be raised with the Competition Secretary. These handicaps are only used in some of the internal competitions. History The club is over 100 years old, having been formed in 1908. For many years it was male only and it wasn t until the 1970 s when the ladies section was formed. A lot more of the history of the club is recorded and celebrated in the Centenary Brochure and a copy is available to all new members should they want one alternatively see copy on the Club website. Laws of the game The best way of keeping updated is to go to the bowls England web site, https://www.bowlsengland.com/ However we should have copies of the following at the club. A handbook called Laws of the Sport of Bowls Crystal Mark 3 rd Edition. A handbook called Guidance for New Bowlers Issue 14. 5
Leagues Men PCL League Always weekend games 4 Rinks (21 ends) No age restrictions. LX League Weekdays mainly Wednesdays 4 Triples (18 ends). Have to be over 60. NWK League Thursday evenings at 6-00pm and 5-30pm in August. No age restrictions. Ladies Jubilee League NWK League Normally 2 rinks (21 ends). Thursday evenings at 6-00pm and 5-30pm in August. No age restrictions. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR SELECTION FOR THE LX AND NWKL GAMES YOU WILL NEED TO TICK THE RELEVANT BOX ON THE AVAILABILITY FOR SELECTION FORM (which comes with annual subscription forms) Lockers Men Can be purchased for the season through Colin Webb. Ladies Can be purchased for the season through Anne Simmonds. Maintenance There is a weekly maintenance and cleaning team operating throughout the year managed by the Maintenance Manager Keith McQuitty. Tuesday mornings from 9-00am. All help is welcome. Management of the Club The overall running or Management of the club is handled by the Management Committee who is responsible for the overall finances, the green, the bar and the maintenance and repair of the club and its surrounds. This committee is presided over by the President. Both the Men s and Ladies bowls sections also have their own committees who are, generally speaking, responsible for all matters relating to playing the game. They are also responsible for picking the teams and dealing with organizing the playing of all outside competitions the club may enter. There are also various sub-committees for the Green, the Bar and Social who organize social functions which help raise money for club funds. 6
Newsletter We used to post a Newsletter but now virtually everyone is on e mail the web site is the main source of information if you require anything posting speak to David Figg or Malcolm Whitehead who manage the site. Prize Draw The Club runs a lottery style monthly competition offering monthly prizes of 100, 50 and 25 plus two 250 prizes at the Opening & Closing Suppers, depending on the number of participants. The entry fee is 5 a month for each number and membership is limited to Club members only. Speak to one of the organisers if you are interested in joining, Jeanette and Malcolm Whitehead and Peter Wakeford. Rinks (Availability) As mentioned elsewhere to ensure you have green space for a game and even a roll up it is wise to book a rink on the appropriate sheet just inside the Club house door. Failure to do so may end in disappointment. Note :- There is a pre-determined order of priority which will dictate the order the rinks should be drawn before the session starts. If unsure please discuss with anyone on either Bowls Committee. Selection The principal role of the selectors is to pick the teams and to then monitor the availability of players and act accordingly where changes or new names are required. The Selection Committees for the Ladies and Men s sections are listed in your Handbook. Certain teams are delegated by the Selectors to other individuals and these are as follows:- Men LX League and Mid Week friendlies NWK League Division 1 NWK League Division 5 David Figg John Muddle Dave Brown Ladies NWK League Division 1 NWK League Division 3 Pauline Palser Pat Walkinshaw. Social Events Run throughout the year but mainly in the close season. Please keep an eye on the Social Notice Board which is situated immediately on your right as you enter the club from the Silver Lane entrance. 7
In the close season the Bar is only open on Friday evenings 9-00pm until closing and Sunday lunchtimes 1-00pm until closing. Web Site We try to keep our web site http://www.westwickhambc.org.uk/ updated regularly but speak to David Figg or Malcolm Whitehead if you notice anything amiss or have anything for input. 8