I've just returned from our last pre-season Sunday lunch. Very good it was too. A splendid turnout, on a cold, but sunny spring day. Ann and her cohorts weaving their spells in the kitchen. Again all enjoyed their roast beef lunch with a glass of something warming to keep out the chill wind. A chorus of Happy Birthday for Joan Lee rounding off the meal. By the time this goes to press British summer time is only two days away and the green opening is three weeks away. We have planned to start the opening (April 15) at 3 pm. Format will be as established by tradition with a first wood, a spider, and a 10-end competition. A buffet supper will be provided so that we can come off the green into a social evening. Or a refuge, should it have the temerity to rain on our initiation ceremony. George will be there to collect late subs., which should have been paid, by March 31. Please don't forget the friendly on Sunday, April 16, against Five Arches away. Availability sheet is on the board. This has been perhaps the quietest week since the start of the year. A lot of correspondence to get through, people talking to sponsors and a bit of ad hoc planning for the season. I was amused by some of the suggestions emanating from Australia. We were in danger of being governed by soccer style rules. Rotating positions in the rink order throughout the game and substitutes being among the proposals. WBA turned them down. Some of juniors, however, may have seen this as a route to Wayne Rooney type remuneration, book deals and Bling buying girlfriends. I am really glad that we have been spared players ripping their shirts off, weird celebration dances, players hugging and kissing every time they win an end. I leave it to readers' imagination to put people to activities, my mind is in overdrive. We have been asked to submit names for Welsh trials. I will be seeking appropriate nominations from team captains. If, however, you feel you have the track records to go forward, please ring me. Club night is tonight (Friday). The next one will be once we start bowling in April, and will involve on- green and clubhouse activities. The card sharps were out in force again Monday night. It's great that the night is getting more support. Ann and Joyce have holding the fort whilst Beryl has been off sunning herself in warmer climes. Results March 20: top score - John Evans; 1st lady - Joyce Waters; 2nd lady - Marion Evans; 1st gent - Audrey Williams; 2nd gent - J. Mills; highest 1st half - Vera Burrows; highest 2nd half - Mabel Whittaker; lowest score - Yvonne Price; lowest sitter - J. Rose; raffles - Barry Lee and Vera Burrows.
Phoenix