Your help is required folks. Have you any old bed sheets, or the like, lying around, maybe old ones that you have previously used as dust sheets when you managed to convince the old man into doing some decorating. Your club needs them!

Now don't panic, we are not setting up a bed and breakfast during the summer months, instead we have decided that the upstairs lounge is just about due a 'make over'. Well certainly it needs repainting at the least. Obviously it is rather a large area, so we will require as many sheets as possible to cover not only the carpet, but the honours boards and seating area as well.

Now, I know you understand that us men are experts when it comes to these tasks. When we undertake to paint, you never see a drop spilled accidentally, and we always clean things away when we are finished, so really we could probably manage without any protective sheets. But just in case, better safe than sorry.

If you have any such sheets or dust sheets or whatever you use in the home, and you could either lend or give them to the club, we would appreciate it.

Hopefully we will be starting the decorating in the next week or so. If you can help, just take them down and drop them into the pavilion. Leave them on the benches down in the foyer. If you wish them returned when we have finished the work, leave your name on them, and we will assure you of their safe return. Please try and help.

NEW WELSH COACH

Congratulations to Geoff Spiller, one of our 'summer' members, on taking and passing the coaches course in his home area of the Rhondda.

Geoff very kindly helped out last year with the coaching of our own youngsters. He enjoyed it so much he took the course in his own area, but will be bringing his coaching talents down with him in the summer, and hopefully will be able to help our own coaches with their extremely busy schedule. Well done Geoff.

ST. BRIDES ELECTIONS

The St. Brides members met last Sunday to elect their captain and selectors for the forthcoming season. A good turnout voted unanimously that Tony Shaw be captain, with John Lawrence and Gwynfor Davies staying on as selectors.

JOURNEY TO

THE UNKNOWN

I headed off to visit Jamie Shields in hospital last Sunday. Just as well I took my passport, as I thought we would never get there, but I was safe in the hands of Jamie's wife Sue. A comfortable drive saw me nod off a couple of times - something that you certainly would not be able to do if Jamie was at the wheel!

The poor guy has been starving. It seems that the hospital food, 'shall we say', is not very satisfying. I think that is what he said. Anyway, Sue took a cooked chicken to tide him along. And what a scary sight, talk about the 'wild man of Borneo', he was so hungry I swear he even managed to eat the bones as well.

Health-wise, he is not too bad; it is more the boredom of having to lie still and being so far from friends and family. To that extent, anyone who fancies a trip out to cheer Jamie up would be made more than welcome. If you 'phone Sue, she can give you the details.

HIDDEN TALENTS

Although technically still recuperating from her operation, Joyce Waters, fed up with nagging Lyndsay all day, is now busy designing the new fixture card on her computer. Various suggestions were given to her and she is beavering away getting it all ready for printing.

Joyce is another one of those members who is not content to sit down doing nothing. She looks for something to do and if it helps the club along the way, so be it. Keep the nose to the 'mouse' Joyce, we are very grateful.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

Come on now, be fair, I have not mentioned fees for at least a week. George is still hoping that a number of members will get along to see him early and pay their fees. As we have said many times before, there are still bills to be paid, and early payment of your fee helps balance the books and will save George a lot of work on opening day. Go on, you know it makes sense.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

It's a while now since anyone let it slip it was their birthday, but I just managed to hear on the grapevine of the following twosome having special cakes to eat. Hopefully they will not bother with candles - the fire service have enough to do!

Gloria Dugmore had her big day last Monday. I don't know what she got as a present from John, but he tried to borrow a couple of pounds from me as he was skint.

Also eating birthday cake last week, albeit in hospital, was Jamie Shields. He seemed amazingly upset when I told him I thought he was 54; he went to great lengths to explain he was only in his late 40s.

Hopefully you both had a great time, and enjoyed your days.

WHIST EVENING

A smashing turnout of the old faithful to support the whist night, with six-and-a-half tables on the go.

Winning the accolades as top scorer on the night was B. Lawrence, while scraping home as first lady was G. Cleaton, with E. Fryett running her a close second. Making sure that the menfolk did their bit was F. Buckley as first gent, his nearest challenger being J. Austin as second gent. The first half top scorer was H. Buckley, with the second half award going to G. Irving. The booby was taken by V. Austin and having a restful night as longest sitter was N. Ruff.

The raffle prizes were won by T. Shaw, R. Baggot and M. Robb.

Special mention to V. Austin, who only moved twice all evening, sitting eight times on each table.

NARROW BIAS