The cold winds, and equally bitter cold water (I will take someone's word on that), meant that there was a mad rush for the warmth of the pavilion following the New Year's Day Swim last week. The many visitors to the village who also called in were also full of praise for the warmth of the welcome they received. As usual the girls had surpassed themselves with the boiling hot cawl, and it was soon gratefully gulped down. Normally, a raffle is held to raise the money for the cost of the ingredients, but this year with the disaster of the Tsunami at the forefront of people's thoughts, they asked that instead the proceeds go to the fund. When the count came, it was an amazing £79. The winner of the whisky, Elaine Shaw, then asked if it could be auctioned to try and raise the money to the round £100. When the auction was called to a halt, the final figure was a fantastic £130. This money has now been paid into the disaster fund on behalf of the bowling club.

OVER-INDULGENCE OR WHAT?

The next time Graham Poole or John Dugmore decide to have fun, I am off! With the cawl filling a space, it was time to down the first whisky of the new year and another etc. etc. After a few hours, I was heading down the stairs to the car to go home and I swear someone tripped me up. As I looked wistfully back up the stairs, my aching body had left its mark on each one. Roy Kennion decided he was too tired to walk home, Steve and Dave Poole having to carry him. Gloria Dugmore decided that she enjoyed watching my triple salko down the stairs, so she tried it in Valley Road, and, horror of horrors, John Dugmore cannot find his beloved burberry hat - a reward will be offered to the finder I believe. As you can see, just another day at the club.

BIRTHDAY BOY

Celebrating his birthday yesterday was the 'feurher', John Dugmore. He is getting on a little now, stepping from the 60s to the next grade. Hopefully by this time he will be out of mourning, having found his cap, or maybe someone will buy him a new one as a birthday pressie. No matter, all the best John.

MANAGEMENT MEETING

I am asked to remind all committee members that there is a management meeting on Tuesday evening in the pavilion, starting at 6 pm. Please make the effort to attend.

EXPERIENCED TRAVELLER

Young Mathew Dick was off on his travels again last weekend, building up his CV of stadiums played and gaining much-needed experience against players much older than himself. Last weekend it was the Under 25 singles at Cardiff, which he had qualified for after winning the Heatherton final last season. In the first round he played some super bowls to defeat the experienced Carmarthen winner. He then came up against a much older player from the local club, and despite playing out of his skin, found that experience does help. Certainly far from downhearted - and he had no need to be so - Mathew is looking forward to even more opportunities in the future.

WHIST EVENING

The regular whisters are reminded that things get back to normal on Monday night, with the first drive of the new year. As usual, things get underway at 7.30 pm - look forward to seeing you all on the tables.