March Newsletter
At last things are beginning to happen and I have good news for you, so you can lay to rest all the rumours that have been going around. We have now received our draft Lease for the Small Pavilion and Greens 2/3 & surrounds and we also have draft leases for the Irrigation Tank & System and the two store-sheds which will be shared with Polegrove B.C. We are presently working our way through all the legal jargon and ensuring it includes all that we have asked for. Then it will be passed to our Solicitors for a final check on all the legalities.
After a long battle with Rother D.C Parks Dept., Planning, Building Control, Insurers, Fire Safety Officers, Asbestos Contractors etc. etc. we have at last been given permission to get on with the work to renovate our pavilion. This only after we had provided Specifications of Work, Method Statements, Risk Assessments and plans with a mountain of paperwork involved. So we certainly haven’t been resting on our laurels over the closed season. Our thanks go to John Elwell for providing the plans for the Planning Application etc.
Dave, Ken, Micky, Tony & Terry have been working flat out to get all the work done All is coming along well. The men’s changing room has been erected & painted. Work to the kitchen is progressing with all new plumbing and electrics completed; the walls & ceiling have been lined with ply with dry-lined plasterboard over; painted & all the units installed. The central wall has been completed to allow for a ladies’ changing room at the back. Work to the new Bar area has been done but due to time constraints this won’t be completed as planned until the closed season but it will still be a working bar.
The next job will be alteration of the ladies’ toilets into ladies & gents with a new access door being created for the ladies. These are now for the sole use of BBC members & guests. The adjacent disabled toilet is within Polegrove B.C’s lease but we have use of it as necessary.
Please note we no longer have use of the former gents toilet block, that is now unisex for the sole use of PBC.
There will be a delay on completing the accessible entrance to the building as the exterior door is subject to planning consent but the internal doorway has been completed and access to the rear for the time being will be via the former store-room door.
Dave is now requesting urgent help with internal and external painting and decorating so if you are able to help with this do please come forward without delay.
2.
There are also other jobs that need doing before the start of the season such as cleaning up, jet washing the terrace and relocating our benches to greens 2 & 3. We now need our members to step up and help out so that we can be ready for the start of the season.
Our greens have been fully renovated and are now in good condition. Green 2 will be fully maintained and Green 3 up until Easter. Phil Harrod has been instrumental in the purchase of the new mowers and all the equipment required to maintain the greens, hedges and surrounds, all having been funded by RDC. This has now been delivered and instructions given on its safe use. We will need to start mowing soon so those members on the volunteer list will shortly be contacted by John Beal who will be managing the rota.
A lot of effort has been put in to make the pavilion a welcoming and comfy clubhouse for all our members to enjoy so I hope you will appreciate the hard work of Dave, Ken & team plus the committee. We are very grateful to R&R Kitchens for sponsoring us with the kitchen units, and Dennis Parkinson Carpets for the kitchen flooring and the carpet tiles for the ladies changing room. Also to Sue Ford who has worked hard to facilitate this, she has saved us a lot of money.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure any parking. The parking facilities will remain with RDC and will be on a first come first served basis for bowlers and other users of the Polegrove park, including dog walkers. We are assured it will remain free to use.
Prior to opening there will be a coffee morning, in the Small Pavilion Clubhouse, 10am Thursday 10th April. Our Opening Day will be on Monday 28th April. We will also have a repeat of our Sponsors Day on Sunday 25th May but will be making more of this as it will be the Bank Holiday weekend. We will be continuing free taster sessions throughout the season, as for last year.
Bowls Tour to Torquay – 8 days – 13-20 July 2025. Bookings are going well and there are still spaces for double/twin rooms. The current price is set at £625 p.p. - £25 p.p deposit required, balance of £600 due 30th May. This includes return coach travel; bed/breakfast & evening meal at the TLH Derwent Hotel complex; 5 matches inc. rink fees; and a day excursion to Plymouth at no extra cost. Contact Phil Harrod if you are interested.
We have an excellent brand new website thanks to Jenny Burton: bexhillbowlingclub.co.uk so do take a look. There is more to be added yet and some minor adjustments but it is still being worked on at the moment.
Your membership renewal form is attached. Closing date 23rd April. We look forward to your support next year so that we can make a successful and exciting new start. We also need to attract new members so don’t forget to introduce your friends, family and neighbours. If they are unable to bowl they are welcome to become social members.
Best wishes
Pearl
Pearl Mason
Hon. Secretary