Author: George Hitchmough

The Club’s first internal competition took place on Sunday,
attracting a good turnout of 31 members.

In the top half of the draw, the 2011 President’s Cup winner, Sue
Andersen, was in fine form and picked up some impressive
scalps. Sue’s first victim was former club President
Bill Nowell (21-15), followed by another excellent win
against 2013 Rose Bowl winner Jim Halsall, also by a 21-15
scoreline. The quarter-final was expected to be a difficult
test for Sue against Dave Bedford, who had enjoyed a 21-10
success against Kyle Dawes in the 2nd Round. It was Sue,
however, who progressed to the semi-final with a 21-9 win,
where she faced Wayne Graham. Wayne had reached this stage
with wins against Pat Miller (21-7), Sue Davies (21-20) and
Tony Livesey (21-11). Sue and Wayne were locked in a close
battle until the 16th end, when Sue scored the first of 3
successive twos to take an 18-13 lead and despite Wayne
pulling a chalk back, it was Sue who reached the final, the
scoreline being 21-14.

The bottom half of the draw saw Eagles’ player Fergal Wright
progress comfortably to the semi-finals with wins against
Don Parish (21-9), Ted Moule (21-13) and Margaret Langley
(21-15). Fergal’s semi-final opponent was the club’s
2015 President, Ray Sutton and this was to prove a close
battle between one of the club’s youngest players and
the vastly experienced Ray. Although Fergal had to concede a
handicap of four chalks against Ray, he seemed on course for
a comfortable win, leading 15-11 after 17 ends. Ray is
always a tough opponent however and won five out of the next
seven ends to take an 18-17 lead and go within a couple of
ends of victory. At this stage though, Fergal was able to
maintain his concentration and scored the four singles
required to take him into the final, the winning margin
being 21-18.

The outcome of the final was difficult to predict but Sue, starting on
+4, looked to be in the driving seat as she won four ends
out of the first six to lead 10-3. From this point though,
Fergal got in and playing a straight mark extremely well,
won eight consecutive ends to ease into a 14-10 lead. Sue
was able to pull a couple of chalks back but Fergal was able
to continue his consistent form to eventually run out a
21-13 winner and take the 2015 Rose Bowl. Congratulations to
both finalists on an excellent standard of play throghout
the competiton but especially to Fergal Wright on claiming
his first Hesketh Arms singles title.

The next weekend event will be a Round Robin this coming Saturday,
2nd May, starting at 2.00pm. All members welcome to
attend.

Chairman’s Message April 2015
The 2015 season is well and truly underway and most of you will have been down to the green already. I am sure you will agree that it is in excellent condition and the surrounds, including the new boards, flagging and lights are a big improvement. I would like to thank all the members that have been involved in the numerous projects.
All the club’s teams have started their campaigns. I am very pleased to report that most of the Captains have good sized squads. However, if anyone is interested in playing for a team we can accommodate you. We are especially looking for players on a Wednesday afternoon so please contact one of the committee – contact details can be found at the bottom of the message.
The club has made the decision that we will be entering additional teams in both the Burscough League and the Southport Parks League for the 2016 season.
The first of the club competitions is on Sunday 26^th April – please note the earlier start time of 12.00pm for all competitions this season. There is a full list of this season’s competitions on the website and in the clubhouse. The Tuesday Round Robins are also underway and you are welcome to join Jim and his helpers any time you wish.
Is there anyone in the club who would like to lead a new project? The flower bed on the graveyard side requires a bit of love and attention. We would like a member or members to volunteer to lead a tidy up and makeover. Once we have someone willing to take up the challenge you will receive all the support you need from the club.
Likewise, does anyone fancy the task of stripping down and painting the green benches? You will be reimbursed for the materials.
Please note that all subscriptions are now due. If you have not paid, then please can you pass them on to your captain or a committee member as soon as possible.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of the above, or you would to be kept informed about the new teams, or if you wish to feedback any ideas please contact any of the following :-
Chris Harding –  07761733024 and  chrisharding10@hotmail.co.uk
George Hitchmough – 07977 500131 and  secretary@hesketharmsbowlingclub.co.uk
Mike Milne – 07752352065 and hesketharms21@yahoo.co.uk
Website – https://www.hesketharmsbowlingclub.co.uk/
Facebook – Find and like us

Regards,

Chris Harding

EASTER ROUND ROBIN
Many thanks to all those who supported the Club’s Easter Round Robin on Saturday. A large turnout of 40 members took advantage of the fine Bank Holiday weekend weather to get some early season practice and found the green to be in excellent condition.
At the end of an enjoyable afternoon’s bowling, the Club’s new President for 2015, Ray Sutton, presented the prizes.

In joint 4th place on a score of +18 were Margaret Langley and Pat Miller.

Jim Finnimore was third with +19, just behind Mike Burrill in 2nd place on +20.

However the clear winner, with an impressive aggregate of +23, was Sue Andersen.

Just to remind all our members
The green will be open from Saturday the 28th March
The first competition is a Round Robin on Saturday 4th April, 2.00pm Start
Mike Milne will be at the green to collect your subscriptions.
Team captains will be making their own practice arrangements.
The green has been booked by the Aughton league teams for Wednesday afternoon the 1st of April for a practice match Hawks vs Kestrels
The green has been booked by the Harriers LV league team for Wednesday evening the 1st of April for a practice match From 6.00pm

George Hitchmough

Hesketh Arms Bowling Club welcomed the presentation of a Defibrillator to the club by the Heart 4 Heart charity.

The Defibrillator is now securely installed in the clubhouse.
The item is one you hope you will never have to use, but it is good to know that this potential life saving piece of equipment is available on the premises of the bowling club.
14 members undertook the related CPR and Defibrillator training courses organized by Heart 4 Heart and the North West Ambulance service and I hope we are now well equipped to deal with a cardiac arrest emergency.
Jayne Eustace, Ray Sutton, Jim Finnimore, Tony Aindow, Dave White, Norma White, Richard Rawcliffe, Eileen Rawcliffe, Roy Heyes, Judith Farrell, George Hitchmough, Vera Johnson, Fiona Woods, John Howard

It is my sad duty to inform you of the death of Sheila Tobin
Shelia passed away on Wednesday the 9th of March 2015
Shelia was a member of the Hesketh Arms Bowling club for a number of years and also captain of the Ladies Bowling teams at the Botanic Gardens Bowling Club
Shelia was well liked and she will be sadly missed.
Our condolences are with Leo and his family at this sad time.
The funeral will take place on Tuesday the 17th of March at Southport Crematorium at 10.00am and afterwards at the Richmond.

The committee would like to thank everyone who assisted the club hold its Race night fund raiser last Saturday.
Our thanks go to the Ticket sellers, the Owner and Jockey sellers, the people who donated raffle prizes, the people who bought tickets and attended the event and participated in the betting and purchase of raffle tickets.
Once again the event was a huge success with a substantial amount raised which will go towards improvements at the bowling club.
Our thanks go to Eric Morris our MC for the evening and everyone else who assisted behind the scenes to make the event the success it was.

The Spring 2015 News Letter can be read on the News Letter page of the web site
NewsletterSpring15

I would remind all our members that the Race Night is being held on Saturday the 7th March
Tickets are selling well and if you want to come please get your tickets ASAP to avoid disappointment
There are also a few Race Horses still for sale.
Any donations of Raffle prizes would be welcomed by your committee

Chairman’s Message – February 2015
With the start of the season on the horizon I thought it would be a good time to reintroduce my monthly message.
We have had a busy close season with a number of events taking place including the Awards Night, a Club Social (with Ken Waters) and The AGM. I would like to thank Ken for volunteering his services and to all those who attended any of the functions.
The 2015 Race Night is on Saturday 7^th March, at the Churchtown Conservative Club, starting at 7.45pm. The following are still available:-

• Tickets priced £5, including a buffet. There are only a few left so please act today to avoid disappointment.
• Race Sponsorship. There are two races available at £20.
• Owners and Jockeys priced at £3 and £2. There are plenty available.

Please phone me on 07761733024 or reply to this email or see George / Mike if you can help with any of the above. Also, if you are attending on the night and wish to bring a raffle prize, they will be gratefully accepted.
The AGM, in early February, was well attended. The main points are as follows:

• Bill Nowell’s term as President has come to the end. On behalf of everyone involved with the Club, I would like to thank Bill for his enthusiastic and dignified approach to the position.
• Ray Sutton was proposed by the Committee and voted in by the meeting as the new Club President. Ray is a long standing and respected member of the club. We wish Ray every success in the role over the next two years.
• Subscriptions for 2015 remain the same. Full membership is £35, Social membership £15 and Junior Membership continues at £15.
• The Committee reported that progress is being made with the installation of floodlights. Quotes have been sourced and the application for planning permission is underway.
• There are a number of ongoing maintenance projects being carried out, including replacing the boards and loose paving flags.
• Thanks to Bernard O’Malley and Nationwide Produce PLC for their continued financial support.

We are delighted to announce that we have a new club around green advertiser, J & L Designs, which provides bespoke fitted furniture.  I would like to thank the proprietor and my good friend Jason Taylor for his support. Jason intends to be an active sponsor and he hopes to meet some of our members soon. Please can you have a look at his excellent website which contains all the information required about J & L Designs http://www.j-ldesigns.co.uk/.
A list of all the 2015 club competitions is on the website. If you are on Facebook please find and like us. If you prefer, I am always available for a chat about anything connected with the club 07761 733024.

Many thanks,

Chris Harding