Welcome to our new Club Secretary – Sue Kirkham. We hope that she’ll enjoy her new role. Already a member of the club, and also Captain in 2025 of our Clwyd League Team (Thursday nights). Photos are a bit thin on the ground until the new season gets underway.
Going In
“Although some Clubs are finding it difficult to recruit new members (their current membership is aged, or they are experiencing other problems with their green, their lease or finance), it is very encouraging that at the 2 League AGMs that I have attended so far, each League has welcomed FOUR new teams.”
“In the Saturday Coast League Caernarfon, Abergele, St Asaph B and East Parade, and in the Senior Citizens League Eirias Park C, Rhuddlan C, Penrhyn New Hall B and VARDRE D were all accepted. ALL clubs will start at Division D level as is the rule, and in order to facilitate an influx of new teams, there has been some levelling out in the Divisions above. “
“Consequently, our C team of last season, despite finishing 3rd in D Division, have been promoted to Division C. For 2025 Vardre have 4 teams in the Senior Citizens League, and quite handily, one in each Division. The more difficult task for the captains begins this week – assigning players (current and new) to the respective squads!!!” Ian
Cup Change
“Clwydian Senior Citizens League AGM (continued from yesterday): WHAT DID GET ACCEPTANCE. TWO proposals from the Rhos Park BC:”
“a) that for the President’s Day Qualifying rounds at the end of the season, each team MUST send one representative, sending 2 players becomes optional. And,”
“b) that a handicap system per team be introduced into each round of Divisional Cup competitions, each Cup match thus being decided on aggregate rather than number of winners.”
“Considering Rhos Park A are perennial winners of the “DOUBLE” (Division A title & Cup winners) AND current Welsh Club Veterans champions, this was a very generous gesture. Although we may not get near them in the League, they have given their opponents a better chance of success in the Cup. WELL DONE Rhos Park. Incidentally the League Management Committee will determine each Club’s handicap.” Ian
Feeling That eMotion
“There were a couple of controversial issues at the Senior Citizens AGM last Friday. Notices of motion had been submitted by both Management Committee and member Clubs, and two in particular resulted in much discussion and debate from the floor. Due to their membership numbers in decline, one Club asked for the minimum age to be reduced from 60 to 55 years of age. Another motion from the Committee suggested the 38metre rule be removed. Rather strange was that both proposals were submitted for the A Division ONLY. It was felt quite unanimously that any change should cover ALL 4 Divisions if accepted. Thankfully (although we do sympathise with Clubs struggling to field a team) neither were passed, which was how our contingent of captains voted.” Ian
Still Revving Up
“The Clwydian Senior Citizens AGM was held on the afternoon, following our own first Committee meeting of the year last Friday morning. A busy commute for 6 of our officers over to St.Asaph after a quick lunch. There were several proposals for change in this League from both Management Committee and member Clubs – some quite controversial, but that can form the basis for a few more articles. FOUR new teams joining the “Veterans” League making the overall total now 51 – considering our age, we have to be the fittest as there are as many as 24-26 League matches alone for all competing teams. “
“And here is the latest bit of news that is going to take up a few more pages of significant interest. The new teams on a Tuesday are Rhuddlan C, Eirias Park C, Penrhyn New Hall B and VARDRE D – yes, confirmed we will hopefully be running 4 teams in this League in April!!!” Ian
More Revving Up
“The North Wales Coast League now has their League fixtures for 2025 live, following their AGM and acceptance of new teams. An important AGM for ourselves as Marina completed her year of office as League President, and gave an excellent speech in handing over the President’s chain to Ian Pimblott of Bryn Newydd. Incidentally the quality of our hosting (in particular the BUFFET) last October received countless compliments!! Our A team starts on April 5 away at Pen y Groes. Denbigh & Dyserth return to B Division after a season in the top flight (Bangor & Rhos Park B moving up). We have lost Mochdre & Bryn Newydd to C Division, but gained THREE clubs in their place: Rhuddlan; Craig y Don; and Criccieth. The latter being our longest journey, and a green possibly only 2 or 3 of our members have ever played. It is pleasing to announce that 4 new teams (some returning clubs) join our B team in making D Division a tough prospect for 2025. Caernarfon, Abergele, East Parade (Rhyl) and a B team from St. Asaph will all provide stiff opposition.” Ian
Revving Up to Play
“The Vale of Clwyd Thursday Evening League Committee is certainly on the ball. Having released their League fixtures for all divisions a couple of weeks ago, and publicising the DATES of their Cup Rounds, they have now completed and printed the draw of the preliminary and first rounds of each competition. We are a bit unfortunate in C Division as we are in the only match in the preliminary round, playing BRYN NEWYDD at the Mochdre green on a MONDAY (14 April) – very early on…. Should we win that game, we progress to the quarter-finals and meet CRAIG Y DON on the Abergele green on THURSDAY 1 MAY. All details are on their League website.” Ian
Opening News
“NOT LONG NOW – Just six weeks to be more precise. Weather and green conditions permitting, the 2025 bowling season for Vardre BC will commence at 1:00pm on SATURDAY 15TH MARCH. The date has been brought forward one week in view of our Ladies being selected to represent Wales in the Club team Competition in the Fylde area the following week. Our President, Shan, could not possibly be in two places at once, and the ladies may get some green practice time prior to a prestigious day for the Vardre club! The rest of us get more practice time prior to local Leagues commencing their fixtures in the first week of April.” Ian
Important News
“WE HAVE A NEW SECRETARY – At yesterday’s Committee Meeting, the first since our AGM in November when Dave Holland stepped down as Secretary, Sue Kirkham was appointed as his successor. Marina, our re-elected Chairperson, now has TWO new faces alongside her at the top table – Alan Thomas having taken the position of Treasurer from Dave Leech at the AGM. We shall miss both “Daves” – both fulfilled their official posts to such a high standard, but fortunately both are still going to be quite heavily involved with the Club. At the same time we wish Sue and Alan the very best in positions that are so vital to the Club.” Ian
Bathtime Counts
Vardre Deganwy Crown Green Bowling Club 