NEWSLETTER MARCH 2014
CONTENTS
WELCOME
PRESIDENT’S PROSE
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
OBITUARIES
TOURNAMENT REPORTS
GOOD NEWS
SUMMARY OF EC MEETINGS AND OPEN FORUM
CALENDAR
CONTACTS
WELCOME
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2014. Please remember if there is anything that you would like to put forward for the Newsletter’s contact me. Enclosed with this Newsletter is a National’s entry letter and form, those of you whom receive this Newsletter on tape should have already received your copy in printed form, if you have not received it and would like a copy please contact me. Also, those of you that wish to enter the 48th Hastings Open please contact John Wilson (see Calendar for details) or me.
Gay Worden.
PRESIDENT’S PROSE
Hello everyone, this is Eric Shackleford your President speaking! Although this is a figurehead position I am greatly honoured to have been elected at last year’s voting.
Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the AGM this year, so, I would like to take this opportunity to praise your committee for all the hard work they have put in on your behalf. With the aide of Tony Allcock and the office of Bowls England they put on a very good show at the World Bowls.
It is unfortunate that numbers for National tournaments appear to be dropping. I can think of a couple of reasons, it may be the cost of travel and accommodation, and the other is - we are all getting older and there is not a lot of young blood coming along, but enough of doom and gloom let’s look forward to things picking up.
Thank you for all your support, I look forward to meeting you around the circuit.
Eric Shackleford.
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
Members and friends, I hope you are all in good health and having some of this good weather that we are having in Norfolk. For a change the sun even came out in Scarborough! What a lovely weekend of bowling we had! I would like to congratulate Alan Lyne and Paul Hawkes for winning the pairs and also to Preston’s Richard and Steve on coming runners-up in the Plate. Not bad for two people that have only been bowling indoors for less than a year. Well done everyone for taking part and making it such a great event. Thanks to David and Doreen for running the tournament, for Clive with help from the Lions and Chris Turnbull for also finding markers. Finally thanks to Ann who did the raffle.
The UK‘s will be taking place in Scotland during the week following our Nationals, and, later this summer I will be travelling to Glasgow to support the disabled bowlers playing in the Commonwealth Games, especially our own two players Doreen Flanders and Steve Simmons. I wish all the bowlers representing VIBE in the UK’s and the Commonwealth Games, good luck, good bowling, but most of all - enjoy.
If there are any bowlers that would like to take part in the Braintree Triples and are without a triple please contact me and I will try to find a team for you.
Also, if there are any bowlers whom would be willing to play in a charity triples against ‘Cricketers’ Pub at Leamington Spa on Saturday 14th June, 3pm start (greys), again please let me know as soon as possible. It is a really friendly contest and great fun. The money raised will go the ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind’ as requested by the pub.
Good Bowling over the summer, let‘s pray for good weather!
To all my friends and colleagues in bowls.
Yours - Scott Vallance.
OBITUARIES
Peggy West.
The Cambridge News published a tribute to Peggy who passed away in her 80’s on the 31st January. Peggy won the National Championship several times in the 1980’s and 1990’s. In 1993 Peggy travelled to Vancouver to win the B1 world title by beating the challengers from Australia, New Zealand, Wales, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and Hong Kong. In an interview with the News in 1992 Peggy said; ‘I didn’t pick up a wood until I lost my sight. Painting used to be my hobby, and I wanted something to do. All people expect blind people to do is basket work, but I didn’t want to sit at home doing that. When my sight went I decided I’d got two choices - either to sit at home in a chair and do nothing or get out there and do as much as I could. It was difficult at first, but you soon develop the skill needed. I’ve had a tremendous amount of help and encouragement.’
Our thoughts and sympathy go to Peggy’s family.
With thanks to the Cambridge News.
Kerry McGuire.
We have heard the sad news of the death of Mr Kerry McGuire whom was the secretary of Australia Blind Bowls Association for 25 years. Although there are very few of us that knew Mr McGuire, we know he will be greatly missed by his family and the visually impaired bowlers in Australia.
TOURNAMENT REPORTS
National Indoor Pairs.
February had come once more, so it was off to the North-East for our annual pair’s competition. On this occasion eighteen pairs, and their helpers, turned up to do battle. Many of them were met by driving rain and blustery conditions.
On Friday evening most had their usual practice, whilst I was marooned in the Hotel bar!
The next day saw Scott Valance and Bill, who is Scarborough’s men’s Captain, get proceedings under way. This included remembrance of those bowlers who we now miss. The format for this year was a little different from the norm. This was due, into the main, to the number of participants. Therefore, everyone was guaranteed six games. However, it had it drawbacks in that some had four games on Saturday, with little time to draw breath. The top four pairs would contest the semi-finals of the main competition, and the next four the plate.
As the tournament began to unfold some of the established pairs were to show their sparkle, notably Nancy Cheeseman and Ron Homer. Paul Davis and Adrian Mears playing together for the first time were quietly winning one game after another. It was nice to see players from Preston on this occasion, and Henry Edwards partnering John Palmer, also made a good start. There were surprises too, Paul Hawkes playing with Alan Lyne were to lose their first two matches. At the same time Amit Amin and Harish Kumrai (who is new to Scarborough) won four games on the trot.
As might be expected, there was some changes on Sunday morning with two group names remaining. Alan and Paul inflicted heavy defeats on opponents, including Amit and Harish, who also contrived to lose their other game. Adrian Mears and Paul Davis were the only pair to win all six games.
My thanks, in no particular order, go to Bill, who also helped with the presentation, Brenda the ladies Captain who umpired all weekend, the Lions and Clive who organised their help, Doreen Metcalf who kept the cards and did the timekeeping, anyone else who helped to mark games, Gay who sorted out the ‘best totally blind bowler, and along with Ann raised monies, Scott who helped with the opening and closing, and the staff at Scarborough Indoor Bowls Centre.
Results;
Best totally blind bowler; Amit Amin.
Main Competition - Semi-finals;
A. Mears/ P Davis 4 v 16 P. Hawkes/A. Lyne
N. Cheeseman/R. Homer 3 v 14 M. Ryan/D. Mears
And in a close fought, worthy final until the penultimate end;
P. Hawkes/ A. Lyne 14 v 5 M. Ryan/D. Mears
Plate - Semi-finals;
A. Amin/H. Kumrai 4 v 12 C. Moore/C. Turnbull
H. Edwards/J. Palmer 4 v 14 S. Dewitt/R. Baukham
Final;
C. Moore/C. Turnbull 17 v 3 S. Dewitt/R. Baukham
David Mears.
We, the VIBE committee would like to thank David for all the hard work that he put into organising and running a very successful and enjoyable tournament.
GOOD NEWS
New Recruit?
During the National Indoor Pairs at Scarborough we recruited a new fundraiser! Ann Woods, a friend of Gay’s had been to Scarborough (and other VI tournaments) and thoroughly enjoyed watching the play. Ann always said that she arrived with finger nails, but they were soon bitten away! Gay asked Ann if she would sell the raffle tickets, Ann who is a little shy was horrified, but, Gay as a true friend ignored it. The first day Ann raised £118, but was determined to match or even surpass that amount on the Sunday, and she did! Ann, asked nicely, persuaded (with several tactics), and arm twisted to raise a final total for the weekend of £245. Well done Ann and many thanks.
Joan Howard.
The following could become ‘good news’ if it encourages more participants.
As you are aware the Joan Howard is held annually in April in Bristol Indoor Bowls Centre. This year it is on the 5th and 6th April and we have only had 6 teams enter, which is a very disappointing response from the whole of the VIBE membership.
I am currently looking into holding this tournament at a different venue at a large hotel complex in Torquay which has a 4 rink indoor bowling green within the complex. To be able to book a two day event it would possibly be towards the end of May. I will give you more information in the June newsletter and would be interested to hear your comments.
Eric Shackleford - President.
The President’s Cup.
The President’s Cup is awarded by the President to the person whom he chooses to be the most deserving. However, Eric needs these people to be nominated for him to make a decision. Perhaps there is someone that has been a ‘long suffering’ dedicated helper, or someone that has been in the background being extremely generous with their time, it is your decision how you interpret the criteria. So, if there is anyone whom you think has gone that little bit further, above and beyond the call of duty, please give their name with your reasons for nomination to Eric Shackleford (see Contact List) by the end of May. The President’s Cup is always presented at the National‘s Presentation Evening, however the recipient does not have to be present.
SUMMARY OF EC MEETINGS AND OPEN FORUM
Committee Meeting 18th August 2013 at Royal Leamington Spa.
All committee members present.
Eric Shackleford has obtained a new chain of office for the President, pertaining to VIBE, and will get the ENAVHB chain of office valued.
Fundraising; £6,168-80 from different fundraising sources.
Clive - fundraising at Tesco’s (can be booked online), Scott said his Club had booked two dates with Tesco’s using VIBE’s charity number, however Clubs must be reminded that if using VIBE’s charity number 25% of monies raised must go to VIBE. Thanks were extended to Bernadette and Clive for their hard work and money raised by them at the World Bowls. Scott commended the team for their impeccable behaviour and congratulated the England medal winners.
It had been disappointing that there was not enough money raised for World Bowls to allow for training sessions as Tony Allcock had hoped. There was no money left in the World Bowls Account organised by Bowls England, in fact they were running short of money during the Tournament. The Lions played a great part in providing for the Tournament.
Scott hoped to have leaflets printed and displayed at eye clinics to promote visually impaired bowling.
Sight classification certificates were discussed and Doreen Metcalf offered to take over the role of Sight Classification Secretary. Those players that had sight certificates for the IBBA will be allowed to use those over the next four years.
Correspondence was read and discussed.
Gareth read his Team Manager’s Report (which was included in last September’s Newsletter).
Upcoming tournaments were discussed.
It was discussed if there was a conflict of interest with Gail being Vice Chair of VIBE and secretary of IBBA. The consensus was that there was no conflict.
Next meeting in December.
Committee Meeting 7th December 2013 at the RNIB, London.
All committee members present.
Committee paid their respects to John Thomas.
The ENAVHB chain of office was only worth scrap value and is to be kept by Eric Shackleford with the new chain of office.
David Stott has now made the VIBE website ‘reader’ friendly. Small amount of money has been raised.
A DVD/CD duplicator had been purchased with a donation. This will initially be used for promotion, later for newsletters.
Several sight classification certificates were dealt with.
Upcoming tournaments discussed.
It was decided not to go ahead with an invitation by Israel in 2014 as there are no other countries going.
Next meeting at Scarborough in February.
OPEN FORUM.
Q. John Palmer. What is the criteria for entry to the
Nationals?
A. New bowlers were accepted as players in the Nationals by participating in a recognised VIBE tournament to assure that the bowler and their club secretary recognise the standard of bowling that was required. However, if the club secretary could support a bowler of good standard they would be allowed to enter the Nationals.
Q. Lynn Bourne. Could the purpose of the Nationals be reiterated as the significance of it seems to have been lost in recent years in some of the selection decisions? The rankings are no longer printed in the programme.
A. This year there was a lack of programme, this will be rectified in the future. The last two years rankings will be included in the September Newsletter.
Q. Henry Edwards. With the small number of entries would it not be more cost efficient to have the National Singles/Pairs and Triples in the same week?
A. As numbers are not known in advance and allowances have to be made for inclement weather it would be impractical.
Q. Henry Edwards. Wouldn’t it be fairer if monocular’s were not allowed as some players are unable to use them and could be disadvantaged?
A. The use of the monocular is allowed world wide.
Q. If VIBE has accepted the IBBA’s ruling on sight classifications should they not accept all IBBA’s rules or none?
A. It was the members who chose to vote positively for the adoption of the IBBA’S sight classification for VIBE. IBBA’s playing rules are a different subject. The IBBA playing rules were complex, however, changes could be adopted if proposed and voted on by the members.
Q. Miriam Gallacher. It is very difficult looking after two B1s without a pusher. Can the B1s have preference when it comes to helpers and pushers?
A. It was a priority to request pushers for next years Nationals. The request needs to be made to the host club as the pushers belong to them.
Bob Rossiter commented that someone is needed at tournaments to answer general questions. E.g. The code to the changing rooms!
Q. Jackie Venus. Would it be possible for the markers to give name before calling details?
A. Players may request the marker to do so.
Q. George Phillips. Would the committee consider asking the Lions Club, or similar organisations, if they could be involved in helping the players on the green?
A. This was not organised for this year, but has been successful elsewhere. Will try to arrange for next year.
Q. Colin and Juliet Moore. (1) At the start of each day please announce the full length of the green, pin to pin. (2) The lack of success at World Bowls needs to be addressed. (3) Playing Rules/Conditions update for all members. (4) Marking - basic clock timings, not too complicated. (5) Venues for 2014 National Singles/Pairs and Triples. (6) Bowls pushers at all National events.
A. (1) This will be done. (2) There is thought of changing format - allowing pairs to have bonding practices. Would like to have a Sports Psychologist for 2017, but will be costly. (3) This will be done. (4) Scott agreed. (5) The National Singles/Pairs will be in June at Leamington and National Triples at Worthing in August. (6) Subject previously covered.
Q. Jen Liley. Would it be more cost effective to dispense with ‘friendly games’, therefore reducing numbers of days required?
A. The ‘friendly games’ were introduced to give the B4+s some games. Reducing the days - discussed previously.
Complaints were made about the condition of the strings - there will be new strings for the next outdoor tournament.
Scott thanked everyone for coming and allowing the meeting to be constructive.
CALENDAR
1st/4th May. Weston-Super-Mare Open Singles. Contact Clive Robinson.
31st May. Braintree Triples. Contact Scott Vallance.
15th to 20th June. The National Singles and Pairs. Royal Leamington Spa Bowls Club. Contact David Mears.
13th to 18th July. Hastings’ Open. Contact John Wilson - 01424 852014 or email - or Gay Worden for entry form.
12th/13th/14th August. National Triples. Worthing. Contact tba.
31st August to 5th September. Lowestoft Tournament. Contact Gail Hepworth.