V
I
BOWLS
ENGLANDNewsletter June 2013
CONTENTS
WELCOME
PRESIDENT’S PROSE
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
OBITUARIES
AGM VOTING RESULTS
TOURNAMENT REPORTS
Roundwood, Norwich.
UK singles
GOOD NEWS
Well done Jack!
Ambassadors for VIBE
CALENDAR
CONTACTS
WELCOME
Welcome to VIBE’S newsletter for June 2013. If you have any thing of interest to be included in future newsletters (not necessarily about bowling), or if you would like to receive the newsletter in a different format, for example by tape or e-mail, please contact me (contact list on back page).
On behalf of the VIBE committee I wish all the England team for the IBBA World Bowls at Worthing in July - fair weather, enjoyment meeting old or making new friends, good bowling, and, ’lots ’ of medals!
Nearer the time IBBA (International Blind Bowls Association) will have a website on which you may follow the results.
Gay Worden. VIBE secretary.
PRESIDENT’S PROSE
Dear Members, as you may be aware the results of the nominations were read out at the AGM on Saturday 13th April 2013. As a result I was elected as your President for the next two years. Therefore I would like to thank you all for voting for me. I will be attending as many tournaments as possible and hope to meet up with you around the green.
Best wishes to you all and good bowling.
Eric.
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
Hello members and friends, I would just like to take this opportunity to say a big ‘THANK YOU’ for voting for me in the recent election. I will do my very best to fulfil my role as Chairman over the next two years. And, hopefully working with all the committee to continue the general good work of VIBE. If anyone needs to speak to me please do not hesitate to ring me on 01692 581589 or e-mail me via Gay on . I look forward to seeing you all soon. Good luck with your bowling this summer.
Scott Vallance. VIBE Chairman.
OBITUARIES
I’ve lost two great pals!
Members of VIBE will know that we have lost two great guys, both George Simmons and Les Turner will be missed by all who knew them.
I first met Les after a function I had attended, which had been organised by Blackpool Society for the Blind. I well remember a lady asking me what sort of activities I was involved in, after telling her that because of poor sight I had stopped playing bowls and was doing nothing at the moment. The lady said that she a certain Les Turner who was still playing bowls I replied that if he could still play crown-green bowls his sight couldn’t be as bad as mine. The lady set up a meeting between us. It was then I found about flat-green bowls and Les was a member of Preston and District Blind Bowling Club. Les and I soon became great friends and we were always seen together at tournaments. I will be forever grateful to Les for the enjoyable times, and, for all the bowling friends he introduced me to.
I visited Les at the hospital each day and had gone to visit Les on the day he died, but unfortunately he had been transferred to a different hospital and didn’t get to see him. On arriving home I sat in the garden and was there only about 30 mins when Janet came to tell me that Les’ cousin Colin had phoned informing us that Les had died that morning. After we had talked of our bowling friends only a couple of days earlier I still find it hard to believe Les is no longer with us.
As well as bowls Les introduced me to the Blackpool Royal British Legion. Whether in the ’Legion’ or on the bowls circuit Les was known by everyone. I’m not sure if people at the ’Legion’ will be to happy to know that it was Les who got me to go on stage, I was going to say, to sing, but the jury is still out! Those who attended the Nationals at Great Yarmouth will remember the terrible weather, particularly the day the greens were under a foot of water. As the tournament organiser I had to decide that day either to delay things or call things off for the day. It was decide to delay play for a while and asked for everyone’s patience, informing them that Les was to come to the microphone to give us a song. Janet had gone shopping and when she returned I told her that Les and I had been entertaining people by doing a bit of singing. The pair of us were absolutely gob-smacked when Janet told us that everyone in Great Yarmouth knew about us because the sound system had been pointing to areas far beyond the bowls green.
One of the first tournaments I attended with Les was the Weston Tournament and it was here I found out how bad Les’ sight really was. After playing a pairs game Les suggested we go for coffee. Les ordered the coffee and I told Les that I was going to see what it was like in the bar. It was there that I met Big George and we hit it off straight away. Chatting to George longer than I had anticipated I told George that I had left Les on his own longer than I should have done. When I returned to Les a lady came up and said that she couldn’t see his ginger-haired mate anywhere in the bar. Les told the lady that she need look no further as I was now sitting next to him. It was then the lady told him that my hair was not ginger but grey. Typical Les, in his quiet way, he just said ’I’ve known Jim all this time and always thought he was a red head!’
Needless to say, George and I soon became good pals and could always be found at the bar. Like Les he was a grand chap, and although the three of us didn’t always agree, I can honestly say that we never fell out. Although, both different characters both of them had a cracking sense of humour. Les would go about in a rather quiet way, usually with a lady in attendance. George was - dare I say it - more a man’s man. The pair of them made friends where ever they went and were always made welcome on their return.
George was never happier than when he was organising some kind of event. Those who went to on one of George’s ‘do’s’ will tell you there was never a dull moment. To write a short item of the fun we had would be impossible, besides, when I get writing, it’s like when I get talking - I never know when to stop! We always had fun, never more each time we went to Hastings. I’ll never forget the time we went to the Hastings’ Legion for a bit off entertainment. George suggested we had a drink while the bingo was on. As we went out of the main room I noticed a large pair of step ladders propped against a wall. I told George to grab hold of the steps and suggested that we pretend to be decorators who had come to paint the ceiling in the concert hall. The bingo caller realised that George and I were joking when we said that we must have come on the wrong day and we were in fact part of a bowling party, everyone bean to giggle. Then when George and I were carrying the ladders out a lady on the door told us off, telling us - had we realised there were a lot of blind people in the club! On another occasion we all went for an evening at Hastings Haven Holiday Park, for a concert and a ’glamour grandma’ competition. I’m afraid, although the bowlers did their best to glam me up as a good looking grandma, I didn’t win, this to the dismay of the audience and the comedian, Stretch. All agreed it was a good laugh. Another fine mess George got me into!
Not everything George planned was a success. When he was running the Brenda Simmons pairs at Dundonald Park in Wimbledon we ran out of beer. George did no more than send a car to the local supermarket and shortly a barrel of lager arrived. Trouble was, it came without the utensils to open the darn barrel. ‘Never mind’ said George, ‘we will soon be on our way to Hastings and I know a couple of places that will buy the beer off us!’ Needless to say, after carting the barrel all over Hastings, George had to take the beer back home where it stayed at the bottom of the stairs longer than it should have done.
I spoke on the phone to George on a regular basis, the last time just before the VIBE AGM. I’m sorry to say that George wasn’t happy about certain things that happened at Scarborough and the treatment that he had received from some bowlers. George didn’t mention names or what had happened. What I say to those responsible for the irresponsible behaviour should be mindful of the fact that without organisers such as George there would be no tournaments. Causing disruptions in front of local people at tournaments does our association no good at all. George was a good man and whatever got to him, I’m sure, should not have happened.
Les and George, I am privileged to have been a friend to you both. The bowls scene will not be the same without you.
Jim Bithell
Thank you Jim for those obviously precious memories of two good friends.
As most members know, George had in the past been the ENAVHB Chairman and recently VIBE’s President.
The VIBE committee and members extend their thoughts and sympathies to Les and George’s families and friends.
Gay.
AGM POSTAL VOTING RESULTS
VIBE EXECUTIVE.
President;
Jim Bithell;88
Eric Shackleford; 121
Chairperson;
John Newcombe;40
Scott Vallance; 165
Treasurer;
Patrick Lovell;85
Steve Simmons; 106
Secretary;
Gay Worden;unopposed
Committee;
Lynn Bourne;65
David Mears; 102
Clive Robinson; 122
Doreen Metcalf; 117
John Newcombe; 78
Bernadette Robinson; 76
Paul Hawkes;65
Sue Wherry;91
Therefore the committee members are;
Clive Robinson, Doreen Metcalf, David Mears and because there are already two sighted persons on the committee (Gay Worden and Doreen Metcalf) according to the constitution John Newcombe will be the fourth member.
PLAYING RULES AND GUIDELINES
Instead of trial ends only 1 shot at the first 2 ends in all tournaments to be counted.
For;168Against;72Abstain;35
HONORARY MEMBERS
Geoff Rawlinson.
For;69Against;72Abstain;35
Jim Bithell.
For;98Against;55 Abstain;29
TOURNAMENT REPORTS
ROUNDWOOD BOWLS CLUB TOURNAMENT FOR B2‘s.
Roundwood Bowls Club in Norwich was the setting for a two day singles competition, over the weekend of 16th, 17th March 2013, to which B2 bowlers from around the country were invited. They competed for a trophy donated by Co-operative Funeral Care Ltd.
There were twelve invited bowlers (many of whom had represented England at international level) who were split into two groups. They played a round robin within there groups over the two days. The winner of each group played in the final and the runners up played for third place. Each game was 21 shots or two hours whichever occurred first. The standard of play was high and more than half the games went to the two hours.
Group 1 consisted of the following;
Steve Dewitt (Preston), Lynn Bourne (St Leonards on Sea), Ron Homer(Yeovil), Jackie Venus (Twickenham), Jack Pulfer (North Walsham) and Scott Vallance (Stalham).
Group 2.
Martyn Kaye (Bridgwater), Geoff Wherry (St Austell), Mick Bourne (St Leonards on Sea), Patrick Lovell (Bridgwater), Reg Williams (Bedford) and Eric Shackle ford (Bridgwater).
Group 1 was won by Ron Homer who won all five of his games, Lynn Bourne runner by winning three games. In Group 2 Reg Williams and Geoff Wherry both had four wins. The winner was chosen by shot difference. Reg had +32 shots whilst Geoff had +29.
The final was a close match with Ron Homer beating Reg Williams 18-13.
In the third place play-off Geoff Wherry beat Lynn Bourne 21-6, although the result didn’t reflect the competitive nature of the game.
Rebecca Field, the new Ladies Indoor Bowls World Champion, presented the trophies. Rebecca took time out from her hectic schedule and brought her Ladies World Bowls Championship Trophy, together with the British Isles Championship Trophy for everyone to admire. She was highly impressed by the standard of bowling, together with the competitive nature of the tournament and in particular the friendly atmosphere amongst all the competitors and those running the tournament.
After the tournament the bowlers agreed that it was one of the best tournaments that they had attended. Every thing was provided so that all they had to do was concentrate on their games. Roundwood Bowls Club provided helpers for those who hadn’t brought their own. The markers were provided by the Norfolk County Bowls Coaching Association. Hotel accommodation was provided for the bowlers and their guests with transport to collect them from the station and between the hotel and bowls club.
The members of Roundwood Bowls Club look forward to welcoming everybody again next year.
Brian Deakins. Roundwood Bowls Club Secretary.
UK SINGLES.
Hello everyone and welcome to my first match report as team manager.
We held a short team meeting on Thursday evening before the UK singles on the Friday. I asked all bowlers and helper/directors to relax and have an enjoyable time. I believe it is important to be able to enjoy bowls as from enjoyment should come good results.
I was able to watch all of the participants and observed some excellent bowling throughout the three days. Some issues were raised and I do have concerns about the attitude of some of our opponents, who seem to want to win at all costs. I am proud to say our players did not slip to their poor standards and represented VIBE with dignity and good humour.
As an Umpire myself I was pleased that Scotland had arranged some 32 World Bowls International Technical Officers, to be in attendance to act as both markers and Umpires. They all handled their respective duties very well, especially as this was their first time as markers and umpires for sight impaired bowlers.
In most groups the results did not go in our favour, but I am pleased to report that our medal tally was as follows;
One Gold Medal - Gail Hepworth B4 Ladies.
Five Silver Medals - Eric Gallacher B1 Men’s, Ron Homer B2 Men’s, Nancy Cheeseman B2 Ladies, Christine Linegar B3 Ladies and Terry Matthews B4 Men’s.
Two Bronze Medals - Myrtle Robinson B3 Ladies and Ann Bryant B4 Ladies.
Overall England easily secured the Silver Medal position with our hosts regaining the Gold and winning the Trophy.
I wish to commend our representatives for their positive contributions to what was an exciting three days of competitive bowling. I look forward to results swinging in our favour at the World Bowls at Worthing in July.
Gareth Wilcock. VIBE Team Manager.
GOOD NEWS
Well done Jack!
On Sunday 14th April Rossis Indoor Bowls Club held it’s Finals Night.
VIBE member Jack Pulfer had made it to the final of the ‘Over 60’s Men’s Pairs’. This competition was a drawn pairs and Jack was playing with club member Danny Vout. Both players had a great game, with Jack playing lead, putting the opposition’s lead under pressure. Jack had bowls in the head at every end. On the last end Jack and his partner were winning 13-12, but, being 4 shots down on the last end and with the very last wood of the game Danny fired put the jack in the ditch with the bowl on top of the jack giving them two shots. They had won 15-12. A really exciting game to watch. As a VIBE member Jack did visually impaired bowls proud. Well done to both players!
This report was submitted by Scott Vallance.
Ambassadors for VIBE.
Rebecca Field and Gregg Harlow, both world renown bowlers, have agreed to become ambassadors for VIBE. Their names have been added to our headed notepaper with our patron Tony Alcott, and, have been asked if they would promote visually impaired bowling whenever they have the opportunity.
CALENDAR
June 22nd. Braintree Triples. Scott Vallance.
June 29th Wandsworth Triples. Richard Stancombe. 01502 580737
July 6th-19th. IBBA World Bowls. Worthing.
July 14th-19th. Hastings Open. John Wilson. 01424 852014
August 6th-8th. UK Outdoor Triples in Scotland.
August 17th. VIBE v Cricketers triples. Leamington Spa. Scott Vallance.
August 18th-23rd. English Nationals. Leamington Spa. Steve Simmonds.
September 1st-6th. Lowestoft Tournament. Gail Hepworth.
October 5th-6th. The Bristol Challenge. Clive Robinson.
Please try to support both the Hastings Open and the Lowestoft Tournament. These are both ’grass roots’ tournament for the visually impaired, and, are two of the tournaments needed to be played to qualify for participation in the Nationals. Unfortunately this year the World Bowls clashes with the Hastings Open, in the future the VIBE committee try to avoid this happening with any domestic tournaments.