Notes from the Club Captain at the AGM Oct 2007.

During the winter we run a darts team who are in a Bowling Club league.
We did not do as well this year as we did last year. However I am pleased to report that Shaun Dempsey won the Men’s Singles championship.
The short mat was won by the organiser Alan Bailey. This year saw the introduction of a club triples league. The winners were John James, Edna Barnes & Robin Gordon.
We also introduced a Purley Bury Indoor pairs competition open to all members, this was held at Donyngs on Sat / Sun mornings in March & April. We had to restrict the number of entries to 16 pairs, however next year we can have more. For those of you not at the presentation evening a trophy has been donated it is called the Derek Cook indoor pairs trophy. The winners this year were Dave Staples & John Tucker.
Having won the Halifax league at Donyngs the year before, it came as no surprise to me that they changed the rules to favour the smaller clubs, therefore we did not do as well. As a result I submitted a request for the larger clubs to be given the option of having two teams, this would enable players to play more than twice. After much deliberation & phone calls they have agreed. So this year we will be entering two teams, you will not be able to play for the other team if they are short.
Now to the outdoor season I thought it would be a number of years before we would come anywhere close to last years achievements, I could not have been more wrong I am pleased to say.
Muriel has already mentioned what the ladies have done. I must also add my congratulations they have had a marvellous season. I must make mention in particular to Maureen winning her Surrey Badge. Also to the Borough Semi finals day where at one stage there were 14 players on the green 9 of them were Purley Bury.

Well what did the men do?

• Alan Bradshaw deservedly won his Surrey Badge.
• Graham Paxton got to the Semi Final of the Surrey Champion of Champions.
• Our National Double Fours reached the Area Semi Final for the first time.
• We reached the NSL Ron Willson triples semi final
• We reached the NSL Top Ten semi final
• Mike Trendell reached the Pickard Final & narrowly lost 20 - 21.
• Peter Pickett won the Jubilee Final.
• Fred Jaques, Ric Lovejoy & Dave Staples reached the Borough Triples Semi final
• Dave Popejoy, Steve Cooke, Peter Pickett & Joe Cable lost out in the Scratchley Fours Semi final for the second year running.
• We came 8^th in the Triples league 10^th last year
• We came 6^th in the Fours league   5^th last year
• We won 20 Lost 3  & 1 drawn in our friendlies.
• Lansley Cup  MO’s 2 pts – 138, Caterham 2 pts –16, PB 8pts +154
• Finals day was very successful with a great deal of good bowling. There are three games that come to mind when I think of the day.
• Diane v Muriel in the Handicap singles
• Margaret v John in the Junior Cup
• Alan v Ken in the Mens championship
• All very close & had us on the edge of our seats
  .
  Others events that stuck in my mind
   
• All the people that helped with the levelling of the green 125 hours in all.
• The pace of the green on day 1, also on New Surrey Finals day in September.
• Roger Chapman taking Pat Bourne to an extra end on two wood day.
• Fred Jaques doing exactly the same.
• Robin Gordon & Ken Harwood winning their very first Surrey pairs match. That has to be an inspiration to everyone to enter.
• Captains Day & the 80 raffle prizes, I am still gobsmacked.
• The green flooding on Friday 20^th July. When I arrived Anne Brown was up to her shins in water collecting bowls that were under water. We still managed to play on 3 rinks at 18:00 pm.
• Geraldine winning a session as skip on Invitation Triples Day, when both Alan Bradshaw & myself failed to do so. What a great day that was, well done Dave & Dave.
• Geoff Hannington passing away.
• I was sad to hear from Rusty that he would not be bowling anymore very early on in the season. Despite the obvious difficulty he has getting around he is one of, if not not the best supporter come critic we have.
• Peter Milton also said goodbye to bowling this year.
• I am amazed at Joan & Reg Lovejoy & the support they give, it is always good to see them. It always makes me smile when I see Reg zooming off on his buggy & poor Joan is left way behind. It was sad to hear about Joan’s stroke when we were on tour.
• Presentation evening was a different format this year. I would like to thank Mo & Phil for organising it. I would also like to thank our two in-house DJ’s Ric & Simon.
• Special mention must be made to Richard & Dot Cook for presenting the Derek Cook trophy to the first winners. Derek is greatly missed.

Thanks

I would like to thank all those who did the following :-

Steve for being my Vice-Captain
Muriel for being Ladies Captain & Janet for being Vice-Captain, I wish her well next year as Captain.
The committee members over the past 6 years. It has been good working with you all.
Fred Jaques for volunteering to help Geoff with the green, you have done a great job between you. I have had nothing but praise from visiting teams.
I would like to congratulate Fred on becoming our new Green Keeper & I wish Geoff all the best for the future.
All those who helped me with the work outside during the winter.
ll Catering staff especially Geraldine & Simon for my Captains Day
All of the Bar staff, you do a great job.
Flower beds, it was especially nice to see Gillian back in harness again.
Those who cut the grass & edges, Taking cuttings to the dump, those who helped on cleaning day.
The Queen of Raffles, books, Bridge days etc, Elsie. She raises a lot of money for the club during the year for which I am grateful. I dread to think of how many hours she spends looking for BOGOF’S.
Hedge cutting, this is done solely by Robert & all the hedges have to be cut four times during the season. I would also like to thank Robert on behalf of the Committee for all the work he has done as Match Secretary.
My thanks go to Ian & Betty for organising the tour, it must have been a strain this year bearing in mind the problems you encountered with your house move. It was a good tour & I am already looking forward to the Isle of Wight next year.
Judy for organising the Candlelight Bowls. Judy has done this for at least 4 years & would like a rest, so if anyone is willing to organise it for next year would they please speak to the new Club Captain.
In particular I want to thank Paula Thompson for providing us with the fixture cards, winter programs & the Tour programs. She does this every year out of the goodness of her heart. Thank you it is greatly appreciated.
Most of all I want to thank you all for the support you have given me over the past two years as Captain (both ladies & gents) It has been an honour & a pleasure to be your Club Captain. I know that I will never forget the great achievements the Club has attained.
You have raised a fantastic sum of £1181 for Children in Need this year. With the £326.80 last year, it makes a grand total of £1507.80.

I would like to share with you why I think this is the best Club in Surrey.

• There is a great welcome for all who walk in to the Club.
• There is support for each other that is second to none.
• We get excited when other members succeed ( no jealousy )
• There is a friendly, family atmosphere. (which must be cherished)
• We are generous in giving both time & money.
• We are not satisfied, we always want to do better.
• Wherever you go now people have heard of Purley Bury. We are definitely on the map.
• Fairness, everyone is given a chance & treated the same regardless of ability.
   

 Finally,

• The last two years as Captain have been two of the best years in my life, they are two that I will always remember.
• I trust that you have all had an enjoyable season & are already looking forward to next year & more successes.

Please support your new Captains & Vice Captains as you supported me. also your Committee, without your support the job is so much harder.

Winter well.
 Happy Christmas & God Bless you all.