For New Members

Information & Help for NEW MEMBERS As a new member of the Club the Committee and all its members would like to welcome you to Birstall and hope that you will enjoy your time with us.The thinking behind this information goes back to discussions held with previous new members who said they would have welcomed some introductory information to help them understand the game and what it meant to be a member of the Club. This information sheet therefore has been devised to not only assist those who have not played before but also for players joining us from other clubs.I do hope you find it useful, but should you have any questions, please speak to any member of the committee and we will do our best to answer them.DRESS CODE: This is given inside the front cover of the Membership Card, a copy of which is on the Notice Board in the Changing Room. Obviously, when you are a new member you may not have all the 'gear', but you may be able to pick up a pair of shoes temporarily from the locker. The most important thing initially is to wear flat shoes when bowling, and look to have regulation attire as soon as you are able. Please make sure your shirt has sleeves and if you are asked to play in a match, arrival in black shoes is expected. Any problems, please do speak to a committee member, as we may be able to help.BOWLS: Don't go out and buy a set of bowls yet! Try different ones out if you can. We have some coaching bowls donated to us by the Parish Council which are in sizes ranging from '00' to '1' and if you feel you need bigger bowls there are some older ones in the locker or I am sure one of our members may let you have a try with theirs. Keep an eye on the Notice Board for second-hand bowls.COACHING: In order for you to learn the correct way to bowl, we do have people who would be more than willing to coach. Please ask the Captain who they are and she will be pleased to give you a contact number so you can arrange for some one-to-one coaching. It is difficult to do this sometimes on a Club Day. If you learn now, you won't pick up any bad habits!!ETIQUETTE: When playing in a game of bowls, as in any other sport, there is an element of etiquette which should be observed. The advice given below will help you and others enjoy taking part in the game of bowls, be it in a friendly game or competitively. Basically good manners prevail.*** Dress correctly for all games.*** Greet your own team members and opponents at the start of a game and congratulate or compliment them at the end of play. Shaking hands before and at the end of a match is part of the fine tradition of the game.*** Compliment your opponent on a good shot.*** Admit to a fluke with good grace.*** Stand still when a player is on the mat.*** Do not walk or make a noise behind the mat when a player is about to deliver a bowl.*** Remain behind the mat or behind the head when it is not your turn to play. Always remember that as soon as your bowl has come to rest, possession of the rink passes to the opponent.*** Keep to your own rink. Do not become a wanderer and distract other bowlers. Walk down the centre of your rink when you are changing ends.*** On sunny days be aware of your shadow. Do not let it mask the jack or permit it to fall in front of the mat when a player is about to bowl.*** Try to avoid obscuring boundary pegs, rink plates or rink markers.*** Never criticise your opponent, the Green, or your own team members. If you cannot say something positive, don't say anything at all.*** Pay attention to the game. Nothing is more frustrating to your team mates than to have them feel that you are not giving your full attention and best efforts to the game by your lack of concentration. Save your socialising until after the game.*** Stand well back from the head when drive shots are being played and warn others on adjacent rinks of the fact.*** Learn the laws of the game and abide by them.All members are entitled to the EBA Booklet which contains rules of the games and other useful information. Generally issued on opening day. See an Officer if you would like one.*** Be a gracious winner and a good loser.Best of luckWith grateful acknowledgement to the Ladies Club for making this available for the Web Site, some changes have been made appropriate to the men’s Club but courtesy and manners are ‘unisex’Rough Idea of Costs You will find it to be relatively inexpensive to start Bowling, a set of 4 Bowls or Woods as they are still called by many, expect to pay between £20 - £60 second hand, check the date stamp is valid if you expect to enter County Competitions otherwise these will not be allowed. They must be stamped 1985 or later. It would be wise to try out the bowls first and the most important factor is are they the right size ? They are made in sizes from 00 – 6 and will be stamped if made after 1985 with the size and weight. You might find that if they were made before 1985 the size will be given in Imperial for example 4¾ which is equivalent to size 1 - see the table below. The most popular size for Men is 4's or 5's. There are significant variations of ‘lines’ bowls take, either wide swinging woods, or tight straight line bowls. The latter are generally more suited to indoor surfaces or very fast outdoor greens. Talk it over with an experienced member as this is your most important purchase, and try out different types of bowls. Once you are sure on size and weight and if you really want to splash out for a new set B&H have sets from £99 up to £150Size ..........00..........0..........1..........2..........3..........4..........5..........6Dia inch 4 9/16... 4 5/8... 4 ¾...4 13/16... 4 7/8...4 15/16...5...5 1/16Dress : White Shirt £12.25 – Grey Trousers £15 – White Trousers from around £15 to the specialised Henselite at £29.95. I have a pair of Henselite and have worn these for 7 years now and they still look good and wash superbly (so my wife says) Navy Blue Blazer £67.50, Blazer Club Badge £5, Club Tie £12. Waterproof Jacket £34.50 – Trousers £16.50. Warm zip up top £25.50 – Bowling Shoes from £27.95Most of the prices above are from B&H Midland Services at 1 Norman Way Melton Mowbray, They also have a Web Site at www.BHmidland.co.uk with an online catalogue so you can either call at the shop or buy on line. So as you can see it is very reasonable to start off Bowling unlike many other sports, and you are likely to have at least some of the items required like a white shirt, grey trousers and possibly a Blazer. You can often pick up some real bargains at Charity Shops, I don’t mind admitting that I have a spare pair (Just in case!) of Marks & Spencer’s white trousers that I got from Age Concern for £2.50 – as new. We often have kit for sale at the Club and you could put up a ‘wanted’ sign for any items you are looking for.

Welcome to NEW MEMBERS 2009 A warm welcome to the following NEW MEMBERS : Merv (the swerve) King - good decision Merv moving up from Associate to FULL MEMBER April 2009. Look forward to seeing you in some matches Merv, all the best.Also moving up to FULL MEMBER Colin Gilbert who has been with the Club quite a few year now and again welcome Colin and love to see you playing in some matches. By the way the new clock in the Kitchen made and donated by Colin. Simply beautiful clock Colin. Thank you.Another FULL Member this season and a walm welcome to Albert Richards. Well done Albert, get your whites ready for some Thursday and Saturday games.

2007/8 Nev Cass who has joined us from Thurmaston and has had some 'previous' - (Bowling Experience I should add) - warm welcome Nev and look forward to playing with you. Gary Norman also from Thurmastone and likewise has bowled before and looks to have the prospects of making a very good bowler and I'm sure will be a great asset to the Club. Welcome Gary. Darren Hickling also from Thurmaston Bowling Club and mates with the above two, Warm welcome Darren. Mark LeGood, after an absence of nearly 20 years on the greens joining us, previosly bowled for St Margaret's and Rolls Royce, served in the RAF and a member of the Queens Flight. Although you don't have to call him Sir if you wish. Make him very welcome - I'm sure he will respond in the accepted services manner of getting you a drink. (understand the usual is a Gin & Bitter Lemon with ice !)_

Roger Wildbore joining us as a first time bowler, warm welcome Roger and I'm sure you will soon settle in and make new friends at 'The Friendly Birstall Bowling Club'Joining us as an Associate member is Paul Jeffrey - welcome Paul and we hope you will enjoy Tuesday evenings and other times at the Club.

Peter Ackroyd introduced by Mick Barnacle, joining as an Associate Member and look forward to seeing you Peter on and off the green.

Michael Ross introduced by Tony Boswell joining as a FULL MEMBER, welcome Michael and look forward to seeing you in matches

Bill Alexander and Merv King both moved up to FULL Members and although both a little dissapointed to be playing against other Birstall Players in match on 21st April this was due entirely to Ashby letting us down. Albiet that Welcome to you both and many more games ahead.

April 2006 Richard Coulson, joining as a FULL member and introduced by Richard Smith. Richard has played bowls before but he admits it was a good few years ago, however I am sure he will soon get into the 'swing' of things and he enjoys a good social event. Look forward to seeing you regularly on and off the Green Richard. A warm welcome.

William (Bill) Alexander, joining as an Associate Member, introduced by John Boden. Hope you enjoy your Bowling Bill.

James (Jim) Paterson who is joining us as an Associate Member also introduced by John Boden, and is looking forward to playing on Tuesday evening Club Nights. Maurice Jeffrey has joined us as an Associate Member. His wife Maureen is Lady's Club President this season, and we all hope he will enjoy this season particularly with us and carry on next season as a full member.

Tom Grundy, introduced by Steve Day is joining as an Associate Member - welcome Tom.

Dave Callahan who has been a Social member with us for a number of years but now is going to join us as an Associate Member and try out Bowling on the Green.

Nev Brown who is moving up to FULL Membership from Associate, look forward to seeing you in some Saturday and Thursday matches Nev - Don't forget your white trousers !

Mervyn (Winston) King, just joined as an Associate member and I am sure after a few weeks bowling will soon get the 'jist' and enjoy playing on Tuesday evenings. Welcolm Merv - PS he did reveal to me strictly confidentially that on Tuesdays he has a shower - whether or not he needs one, and missed the last Club Night drying his hair. Nice shower Gel however Merv ? Christian Dior or Tesco ?

John Jenkins who came along on our open evening and was suitably impressed and joined initially as an Associate Member, Welcome John and forgive me with all the new members this season if I might forget your name - just give me a good kick in the googlies. Unfortunately with all the games going on at present I don’t know if it’s breakfast or tea time. But I hope you really get into our Club and enjoy your Bowling with us. Very warm welcome and I wish you all the best. The rest of the Committee will be advised and I hope to be along on a good few Tuesdays and keep you company.

And finally John Hodgetts and John Exton who both had to temporarily take a 'gap' year, welcome back as FULL Members and all the best wishes to you both.Wishing you all a very happy season and good bowling. I am sure all existing members will make you most welcome and you will soon feel 'at home'

from the Commitee of Birstall Bowling Club & Webmaster Grahame WhiteApril 2009