Issue 2
March 2025
Welcome to the second edition of the Greenwood News. You heard at the AGM some of the things that happened over the past 12 months, but in this edition I will try to put some detail to the headlines.
The club is still basking in past glory, (see later) and we continue to attract new members. Some only come once or twice then drift away, but some of you stay and join us for weekly roll-ups or more. I just want to reiterate a few details, rules if you prefer about the club that we all need to abide by.
Mats:
Firstly the mats are an expensive item, and something we don’t want to frequently replace. In order for these to remain in the fairly good condition ours are in, its important everyone brings a change of footwear to play bowls in. Your outdoor shoes, will contain dirt from the carpark or driveway which will easily transfer onto the mats.
These shoes / trainers should be designated for indoor use – playing bowls / stepping on the mats. Ideally bowling shoes, but if you don’t possess a pair, then flat soled footwear is perfectly acceptable.
Another important item about the mats is cleaning. I’m sure we all hoover our carpets at home and they look and feel better afterwards. The mats here require the same attention from time to time. We have 2 cordless cleaners which are easy to use. Rather than re-introduce the cleaning rota it would be nice if we all took it in turns to clean them once a month. The good news is, if we all took our turn it would probably work out everyone would be doing this once every 3 years!
On playing days, we only know how many mats we need and how to spilt people across those mats from the signing in sheet. You can help by trying to be here in good time and pay as you enter. Just one late person arriving after the cards have been given out, may result in an extra mat and change the format on those mats. Therefore it is much easier if the numbers are correct in the first place.
Finally on the playing front is clearing away. We know there are only a few members fit enough to actually roll the mats up, but all the other equipment is easy to put away. Jacks, foot mats, score boards and blocks are light in weight and almost everybody should be able to manage these. So please lend a hand, many hands make light work and it will make it much quicker for everyone. Help us to help you. 
Safe Guarding Officer:
It has been brought to our attention from Herts County, that every club in every sport must have a SAFE GAURDING OFFICER by 2026. This has is being introduced for sports such as Football Rugby or Netball, but all sports must comply. The definition of safeguarding means protecting a person’s health, wellbeing and human rights, ensuring they live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is a collective responsibility of individuals and organisations. The role of a Safeguarding Officer is for managing and reporting concerns within an organisation, promoting their well-being and ensuring a safe environment. We cannot ignore this, so if you are interested in being that person, please let a committee member know.
Refreshments:
A polite and gentle reminder that that our refreshments have to be paid for. As well as covering the cost of the tea, coffee, milk and sugar, it also pays for the biscuits, cakes and sweets. So if you partake in any of these, please ensure you put your 50p in the tin, thank you.
Internal Competitions:
Our internal competitions are in full swing at the moment. The Aussie pairs finally finished recently. It seemed like the longest in history coming close to the 2020 Olympic games! The eventual winners were John and Val T who beat Penny and Parvin the final.
At the time of writing this, we are in the latter stages of all 3 competitions and should finish by mid spring. The prize money is sitting waiting.
Barnet League News:
Last year I mentioned our teams were 2nd and 4th in the league. At the end of the season, our Peckers team of Brian, Audrey, Mark and Colin J, beat all other teams to win the league, with the Hawks team of Val T, Barry, Darren and Bill D finishing 4th , but going on to win the Gaylor Cup.
This year with 3 weeks remaining our teams are currently 1st and 2nd in the league. Things are looking good for it to finish that way. It’s very close and could end in a tie with winners being decided by shot difference. We will have to wait and see! Once the league is finished, the cup competition will take place with Hawks defending their crown. We have also entered a third team in this competition.
County News:
This season, the county were put in a group with West Midlands Essex and Oxfordshire, Essex eventually withdrew before a game was played. Hertfordshire finished second behind a very strong West Midlands side. This resulted in a quarter final clash with a Dorset team containing several England players. The game was played in Guildford. Hertfordshire played well but were not strong enough to overcome Dorset, so they progressed to the semi-finals. Over the duration of these matches Greenwood were represented by 11 of our members who all played in at least one of the games.
National Qualifiers
Some of our bowlers played in the various national qualifiers and the finals will take place at Melton Mowbray during March and April. We will be represented by Audrey, Sue K, Malcolm W and Brian in the mixed fours. Also Angie, Wendy, Mark and Darren in the same event.
In the singles, we will have Darren with Darren and Mark in the pairs. They will also be in the triples with Audrey and joined by Brian in the fours. 
I’m sure all Greenwood members wish everyone success in their matches!
External Competitions
If you are interested in playing in any external competitions please let Barry or Brian know.
In addition to the competitions above, there are events normally held in Stevenage during the summer for any club players. These are a more relaxed type of event and players can be slotted into teams on the day, although prior booking would be required. As soon as we have any dates they will be published on the notice board. These are a good way to improve your play, as well as getting used to playing on different mats with different quirks.
Easter Tea:
Good news – the Easter tea will be held again this year. It will be usual format, Bowling until 3pm and then the tea. This will include a raffle with a club presented main prize.
Could everyone please remember to all bring in an additional prize. On the day, please keep and check your numbers as we had 4 prizes unclaimed at Christmas – these will also be in the Easter raffle.
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