Saundersfoot Bowling Club opened their green last Saturday on what was a glorious spring day.

Chairman Billy Glynn and president Ann Lewis welcomed everybody, thanking those who had worked hard getting the green, the surrounds and the clubhouse ready for the season and wishing everybody good luck in their competitions.

Steph and Gemma Amos were congratulated for their selection to play for Wales in the home internationals which this year will be held in Llandrindod Wells.

Sue Boughton Thomas, this year’s chairperson of the local community council, then had the honour of bowling the first wood (see right) which was followed by a ‘spider’, with Pam Bowen winning a bottle of whisky.

A good number of members were in attendance as were several Saundersfoot councillors and afterwards all enjoyed a buffet that had been prepared by vice-chairlady Dianne Rigden and the ladies of the club.

CHARITY PRESENTATIONS

As reported recently in the Observer, members of the club, thanks to a generous sponsorship by the Heritage Park in Pleasant Valley, Stepaside, had special pink shirts made which the men and ladies wore in all their matches last season in support of raising money to assist cancer research.

On Saturday, after the opening formalities on the green, two cheques for £500 each were presented in the clubhouse to two charities.

George Cavell and Mrs. Gladys Clevelly, representing the local Saundersfoot branch of Cancer Research UK, which supports groundbreaking research in Wales, received their cheque on behalf of the members from club president, Mrs. Ann Lewis (see picture below).

The local committee has raised many thousands of pounds over the years and contributed last year to the Welsh receipts of over four million.

The second cheque was presented by Ann to Mrs. Sheila Ralph on behalf of Breast Cancer Care Wales (see picture above right).

The club initiative to support these worthy causes was first suggested by Mackie Brace and with his nephew Berwyn Dennis obtaining the help of the Heritage Park, the committee and members immediately agreed and the pink shirts, obtained from Tees R Us in New Hedges certainly caused some comments, particularly from the opposing men’s teams!

Last year’s county president, Paul Blayney from Saundersfoot, also got in on the action and raised £280 during his county tour last September, which was presented to Breast Cancer Care Wales.

The Saundersfoot members can be proud of their contribution to such worthy causes and donations totalling over a thousand pounds is something they can all be proud of.

FRIENDLY FIXTURES

This year’s overall club captain, Graham Hughes, is going to have a busy time with 15 friendlies due to be played, the first of which is a six-rink mixed game hosting Briton Ferry OAP’s next Wednesday at 2 pm.

This will be followed the following weekend by two men’s games, away to Whitland on April 22 and home to Kidwelly on Sunday 23rd.

A mixed friendly will also take place at home to the Panther tourists on Sunday, April 30.

Availability sheets for these can be found on the club notice board.

COUNTY SELECTION

For those wishing to be considered for county selection this season, men’s and ladies, the relevant information can be found on the county board. Please note the closing dates.

TUESDAY TRIPLES

The ever-popular Tuesday Triples competition, which is open to all, got underway this week and will continue most Tuesdays, organised this year by Christine Harris.