Club Newsletters
NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2025
A happy new year to everybody and I hope we are all looking forward to the rest of our Winter indoor season.
A reminder on Dress code, whilst we did ease up on what to wear for roll ups last year, I have noticed this has stretched to internal league games. Please read the notices and your handbooks regarding Dress Code which covers “Markers” for singles competitions.
Could I please ask everyone to adhere to the correct dress code, and remind team captains that it is their responsibility to make sure their team are correctly dressed.
The executive committee are working hard to find an alternative way for how the Club Cafe is operated. We have advertised in the local papers also in the Parish Magazines, without any success. We have had two candidates, but both have pulled out not wishing to take on the franchise. We have therefore decided that the next move must be to look for volunteers in house who would be willing to help on a rota system rewarded by a similar scheme to the bar volunteers. Any of those willing to qualify to level 2 food and hygiene certification this would be paid for and assisted by the club. This qualification would enable the Club to serve toast, toasted tea cakes and other simple cooked snacks like jacket potatoes. If you are interested please talk to Judith King, Sue Maggs, Sandra Hubbard or Kate Webber
The subcommittee set up for Incorporation have been working hard on all the aspects of the legal requirements including working with Dorchester town council regarding our lease with them and the Duchy. This is made all the more complicated by our irreversible registration as a CASC club, as they have a number of rules that have to be followed.
Could I please put out a PLEA to everyone to please support our 200 club run tirelessly by Geoff Webber. This closes 17 January 2025. This brings in a well needed income to the club which helps considerably. It also gives everyone who enters a chance to win a cash prize.
I would also like to ask that as many of you who can consider our friendly games and put your names onto the trawl sheets when they appear on notice board. Friendlies have always been a strong tradition at Dorchester Bowls Club, but we have struggled to field teams. Again, these games bring into the club a very needed income through away team green fees and the Bar usage.
It will not have escaped your notice that since just before Christmas, the changing room next to the office that was used as a visitors changing room, was closed. It is being refurbished to use as an office/meeting room in preparation for the surrender by the Town Council of the redundant football changing rooms. This has been a long term strategy, which we are still pursuing with the hopes that it may be completed by the autumn
Barry Hubbard
Chairman
CHAIRMANS MESSAGE JUNE 2024
As we are now a couple of months into the outdoor season, I felt this a good time to update members on some of the changes that have and are taking place at this present time.
Outdoors there are numerous internal and external competitions taking place. Good luck to all those participating.
Indoor thanks to all our members new and old -we have a very active summer season-with the Fantastic Five competition running and the two teams in the summer County Mixed league .
I am pleased to confirm that Bowlr is running extremely well, and my thanks goes to all those who were on the implementation committee and are continuing to work hard on its success.
As I explained at the AGM in March, we have now started the process to convert from an Unincorporated Community Amateur Sports Club to an incorporated Community Amateur Sports Club which will mean we become a limited company by guarantee.
You may be aware that our caterer Joyce is leaving on the 28th June, Joyce has been with us since September 2018 and has always been loyal and hard working. I am sure you will all join me in wishing Joyce well in whatever she decides to do in the future.
With Joyce leaving the Executive Committee will be looking at alternative ways that we run catering for members and may be looking for help and suggestion from our members.
Looking forward to the next few months we have several events taking place. Keep an eye out for County Finals taking place at Dorchester Bowls Club in July and August We have this year combined Presidents Day with the Colver Trophy which traditionally is in August.
The Pheonix trophy and Dorchester Timber Trophy will take place in October.
Whilst writing this newsletter just to cover a few housekeeping rules.
Could everyone please keep to our dress code when playing in League games. Also score cards need to be completed correctly.
You will I am sure all have seen. The new construction in the outdoor bowls area. This has replaced the old tin shed which had past it sell by date. Thank you to Bryan our President for the construction and several members who have volunteered and helped.
One final request please keep an eye on the notice boards for all our up and coming events. Especially to support all our friendly games both indoors and outdoors that Dave Caundle works so hard to arrange.
Barry J Hubbard
Chairman
CHAIRMANS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2023
I have tried throughout the year to keep everyone informed of the current situation in the club with regards to our heating and lighting costs.
I must congratulate everyone for their understanding and patience throughout the year.
We are currently on track with all our measures to be in a better position than was anticipated this time last year. We will not know the full story until the end of this financial year when we receive our end of year Account.
All the social functions that we have held have helped with our income and have been most enjoyable from Tony`s race nights, Roger's Music nights, the Ukuleleans' night, Robbie’s Bingo to last Saturdays Special Quiz night organised and run by Gerald and Val.
To all our new members that joined us over the past few months welcome, and I do hope you are enjoying your Bowls. Please keep your eyes on the notice boards for social events which help keep the club viable and help our President with his charity this year the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
I do hope to see as many of you as possible at our Christmas Fun Day on the 16th December. Christmas jumpers are the order of the day, not forgetting Geoff Webber will be drawing this year`s final 200 club, the top prize being £1000. And I do hope everyone has signed up for the 200 club for 2024. We also have our Christmas draw; Numbers can be purchased from the Bar and Joyce.
Thank you to everyone for all your support throughout the year and a Very Merry Xmas and a Happy New year to you all and your families.
Barry J Hubbard
Chairman
CHAIRMANS MESSAGE AUGUST 2023
Following on from my last newsletter you will all have seen that the new lights have been installed in the Bowls Hall. Together with some more improvements on electricity in other parts of the building we are showing savings. We however hope to achieve even more by strict control of the electricity usage.
As mentioned in my last Newsletter three new boilers are due to be installed this month (we may have some disruption during the installation) and we apologise for this.
For everyone’s information Alexander Wilson will be standing down as Men`s Outdoor Secretary for next season. With Alexander leaving the role of Men’s Outdoor Secretary we do need a replacement so anyone who would like to take on this extremely rewarding job please come forward at the next outdoor men’s meeting
Another thankyou must go to Mike Lofthouse and Graham Crockett. Mike has stood down from the Coaching co-ordinator’s role in which he has done an excellent job over the past few years. Graham has been extremely helpful in all the work he has carried out on the fitting of electrical equipment which has been beneficial to the club with reducing our electricity usage.
You may or may not be aware that the retirement apartments in Dorchester Somerleigh Court are a particularly good sponsor to Dorchester Bowls club. They will be holding a presentation on Thursday August 10th at 10am in the Alexander room with complementary tea/coffee and cake. The presentation should only last an hour and you may find it highly informative. There is a poster on the notice board with a sheet to put your name on if interested in attending.
Barry J Hubbard
Chairman
CHAIRMANS MESSAGE MAY 2023
As I sent out a couple of newsletters during the winter months, I felt it only right that I should update everyone as best I can with our latest information.
We have had our first 4 months of gas and electricity charges and there has been some savings due to the very strict control everyone has adopted in switching off lights when not required. The action we have taken in the cellar in cutting down our cooling systems has also made a saving.
We are now planning to replace our lighting system in the bowls hall (some inconvenience I am sorry to say). This upgrade will make a saving for the future with a payback in just under a year.
Again, the problems we had with the heating over the winter has led us to replace the three boilers we currently have (they are 20 years old) this is planned for July.
On a much more positive subject Martin Puckett, as I am sure most of are you are aware, represented England at the recent World Championships in Australia and won two Bronze Medals one in the mixed pairs partnered with Kirsty Hembrow (Ilminster BC) and one in the singles. We will be holding a celebration evening in July please keep an eye on the notice boards.
Hopefully you will continue enjoying your bowls indoors and outdoors.
Barry J Hubbard
Chairman
CHAIRMANS MESSAGE JULY 2022
Dear Members
We need your help, continued support, and co-operation in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of our Club.
The Club like so many businesses, Sports Clubs and Community Centres are beginning to understand the financial implications of the past two years- Covid and the war in Ukraine- as indeed are all households.
Although the Club’s energy costs are “capped” until the end of the year, all costs are going up at an alarming rate as you all know from your own household costs. The Club’s energy costs will rise dramatically in the new year.
The Executive Committee are seeking ways to minimize the impact on your club and would ask for your help and co-operation - for example turning off lights when not in use ; not using a rink on 4-6 when there is one free on 1-3 (or vice versa).
Your help in supporting the club in an endeavour to increase membership- we do have excellently organised and run open days- for which volunteer leaflet droppers are really wonderful - concentrating on specific areas of the locality. And we will be holding our next one on September 17th.
Also enquire about “Taster Vouchers” to bring a neighbour or friend for a “taste of our wonderful sport.
I would like to thank everybody for their support and understanding to keep our great club alive for the foreseeable future.
Barry Hubbard (Chairman) July 2022