That's it then, thank goodness. All over and done with. The Christmas decorations have been taken down, the fairylights have been disconnected, the indigestion tablets and hangover cures have been put away in the first aid kit until next time. All you have to do now is sit back and wait for the credit card bills to arrive. Oh such joy!

I must say, though, I have been very impressed with some of the fairylights that have adorned the various houses. I applaud those who take the time to decorate their houses. I have just had a great idea: next year we could have a prize for the best decorated bowler's house from the club!

Amongst the members this year, I would lay odds that the displays created by Jamie Shields and young Dana Rogers would have been up at the top.

SAD LOSS

Although not a member of the club, Tom Cole, of Courtlands Caravan Site, had supported the Ladies Open Week for some years. Unfortunately, Tom became ill and went into Withybush before Christmas. He passed away on Monday, December 29. The older members of the club will, I am sure, remember Tom and his family from the village.

BIRTHDAY BOY

Every year he hopes that because it is so near Christmas and New Year, everyone will forget to mention that John Dugmore is getting even older.

Last Tuesday he managed to celebrate yet another birthday. I cannot find out his true age, but someone did tell me that they saw a photograph of him when he was in the Forces. It seems he was standing next to Napoleon Bonaparte. Hang on, he can't be that old can he (answers on a postcard please).

Anyway, hope you had a good time John. Those tablets are working wonders.

KEEP IT QUIET

Did you manage to get down to the sea-front on New Year's Day to watch the swim? I could not do that bit, I prefer having my early morning swim when no one is about. Mind you I did get a couple of wolf whistles this year - what do you mean in my dreams? Can I help it if I am just a shy retiring type of person? Come on now, can you imagine the panic that would ensue if I stripped off in front of all that crowd to take part in the swim? There would be outright confusion, plus a complete eclipse of the sun.

I must admit every year I say to myself that next year I will take part. It seems a good idea at the time, but as the months pass, I begin to realise that when you are wrapped up in a thick woollen jumper and heavy warm coat anything seems like a good idea. Instead, I will let my dreams drift on and content myself by just sticking some coppers in the buckets.

CELEBRATION TIME

My apologies to Macky Brace. The other week I mentioned that the club had two members taking part in the swim. I did not find out until New Year's Day itself that Macky was also taking part.

It was not until the swimmers plunged into the sea and this tidal wave occurred, I recognised him (something about the pot and kettle comes to mind here). Seriously though, those that did brave the elements deserve their medals. Well done to you all.

Oliver Dugmore was chuffed when his lot won the best dressed group. They were covered in real fathers from the turkey farm in Penally. What he did not realise was that the smell was still there, even after being in the water. He could not understand why people were moving away from him. Laugh, I could have cried.

The New Year's Eve itself was rather wet to say the least. At one time I thought we would have been able to have our own swim on the car park. Unfortunately, it must have stopped people calling in to the club. Those that did had a pleasant night.

The clubhouse after the swim was a complete house full. You could not swing a cat. The hot cawl went down a treat. Thanks to the girls for their efforts and Brian behind the bar was working overtime.

All in all, a smashing day and the perfect finale to the festive occasion. Now we can get back to normal and look forward to April and the opening of the green.

WHIST EVENING

The first whist of the new year and the gang came out in force to show that they had missed us. With six-and-a-half tables running we had a lady and gent flirt, with plenty of talk about the best diets to get rid of the excess put on during the break.

Results were as follows: top scorer - Audrey Williams; first lady - Gerry Meaney; second lady - Gladys Irvine; first gent - Barry Lee; second gent - Dave Robb; first half top scorer - Joan Lee; second half top scorer - Beryl Lawrence; booby prize - Vera Burrows; longest sitter - Robert Irvine; raffle - Frank Buckley and Richard Jones.