ENAVHB Newsletter - Winter 2002/3

I start the newsletter with a number of items that perhaps are of a little more importance than others.

1. First of all the Association secretary, Mrs Gail Hepworth wishes to remind all members that (with the exception of life members) the annual ENAVHB 2003 £5 per individual membership fees are now due, and must be paid before 11th February. If the fees are not paid by this date members will not receive a vote, will not be allowed entry to this years national singles tournament (entry form enclosed), and members will not receive further newsletters until they are paid. Once the fees are paid, life members and individual members will receive their voting forms direct, and club secretaries will receive the voting forms for those members who are members of their club.

2. The closing date for the ENAVHB Indoor National Triples is 28th February. To save disappointment please contact Richard Utting immediately for an entry form or contact him on O1452 414359. The competition will be held at the Bristol and County Indoor Bowls Centre, South Liberty Lane on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April. Triples should be no more than B8, if you are an individual who's club are not entering a team but you want to participate then contact Richard who will be more than to willing to accommodate you.

3. The entry forms for the BBS Outdoor Triples will be sent out to club secretaries after the Executive Committee (EC) Meeting on the weekend of the Scarborough Pairs Tournament (1st & 2nd March) when this event will be on the agenda. Some members and/or club secretaries may well have already received an entry form through BBS, if so, all we ask is that you hold on to them until you hear further information, which will be sent to you shortly after the EC have met.

4. The closing date for entry to the Weston-super-Mare Tournament has long gone, and closing date for the Brenda Simmons was 27th January. If you have missed them both then your are out of luck, if you get in touch with George Simmons though, there may be the possibility of getting on the waiting list.

(George Simmons 0208 851 1840). The closing date for the Glasgow Games triples has also passed.

5. Entry forms for the Annual Hastings Tournament have all been sent out. The tournament will take place from Sunday 20th to Friday 25th July. If you have not already received an entry form please write to Mrs Chris Phillips 'Hardings' 103 North Trade Road Battle East Sussex TN33 0HN or for more information Mrs Jan Peckham (01435 873578)

6. The Scarborough Pairs, to be held on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd March, is now full. If you want to go on the waiting list in case anybody drops out, contact John Newcombe (01274 652742)

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The last newsletter that was sent out was a full 14 pages long, and for those receiving a taped version it lasted the full 90 minutes of the tape. From the many letters I have gratefully received it appears it was enjoyed by all (well nearly all). I thought this time, with less going on during the winter months, (I'm sure your Executive Committee will disagree with that remark), the newsletter may be a bit smaller - well as you will see - it is, but only just, this time it’s 12 pages.

Judging by the kind comments I have received on the format and content of the newsletters, it appears you the members prefer we begin with news of what has been happening - or is about to happen - on the greens, rather than begin with what is happening off it. So until you decide otherwise, that's how we'll keep it.

The ENAVHB Open Indoor Triples and Balloted Pairs Competition.

As reported in the last newsletter this popular weekend event - held at Blackpool Borough Indoor Bowls Centre each year in mid November - once again attracted a record 36 teams. Along with reserve players, who were invited to play in the balloted pairs, it meant that over the two days 110 bowlers took part.

To make it an excuse for a holiday - writes Jim Bithell - the early birds began arriving for this event on the Thursday, and ensuring they took advantage of the day before the tournament roll up, the rest arrived at various times on the Friday, which meant yours truly along with Gail Hepworth, and the Bowls Centre Manager, were run ragged sorting out rinks for everybody - all good fun!

Later - when most of the bowlers began to retire to the bar to meet friends old and new - we were to witness an on form Eric Gallacher defeat fellow Metro B1 Club mate John Sparks in an early round UK Indoor Singles qualifier, a match that David Mears, the England Section Organiser of the Competition had previous arranged (David's report on how this event has progressed will appear towards the end of 'On the Green Action'.

In the evening, most of those who had enjoyed the days action, somehow found themselves making their way to the local British Legion, where they would meet up with the late arrivals, and as is becoming the norm, would witness local ENAVHB Life member Les Turner and his buddy, Tournament Organiser Jim Bithell, getting up on stage to give a song or two (if you think my bowling has gone down hill lately, you ought to hear my singing - perhaps not). This Friday evening get together also occurred on Saturday and Sunday evening.

Anyway back to what you want to hear about most, the bowling.

The event began by Blackpool Borough Indoor Bowling Club Captain Mr Burt Welsby giving a welcoming speech, then handing the rinks and facilities over to the blind and partially sighted bowlers, and in responding fashion - on behalf of the bowlers - ENAVHB President Joy Jarvis gratefully accepting them.

As usual all Saturday was spent playing the qualifying games, the format being 9 groups of 4, each team playing 3 group games, at the end of which the 9 group winners, along with the 7 next best teams, would go though to the last 16.

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The first session began at 9.15 and it was soon apparent that some players had turned up to play bowls and others were suffering the after affects of the night before. Of the eight first session games there was only one tight encounter, which saw Cheltenham & Glos (Val Utting, Richard Utting and Jim Coy) defeat Taunton Deane (Ann Councill, Christine Linegar, and Diane Trewern) 5 - 3, this after the winning triple had received 2 shots due to fielding a B1 in their team.

The other 7 games of the first session are best forgotten by some, for others, I'll just say it gave them a good start to the day.

The second session was a similar story to the first, again only one close game, which saw newcomers Scarborough overcome Bridgwater 6-5.

As the day progressed the bowlers who had started badly, began to acclimatise to the Blackpool sea air, consequently the games they were involved in became tighter, and those who had got off to a flyer maintained their good form.

Come the end of the day the organisers had to resort to their calculators to find who would join the group winners - Three Towns B, Edinburgh A, Pennine A, Metro A, Metro D, Cheltenham & Glos, Yeovil A, Yeovil B, and Gateshead in the last 16. As always in situations where the organisers have to do their sums to find the runners up qualifiers, some teams have to be disappointed, nevertheless once the calculations were done Three Towns C, Nomads, Langside, Metro B, Dewsbury, Taunton Deane B and Gwent made it 10 teams from England, 4 teams from Scotland and 2 from Wales went through to the knock out stages of the competition. The players of the teams who had the disappointment of losing out as a runner up, at least had the satisfaction of joining the other eliminated players in the balloted pairs competition, ensuring everybody would need to up bright and early the following day.

The first session on Sunday - again at 9.15 - saw the players take the rinks for the prelims of the balloted pairs, and the second session, the last 16 of the triples, the results of which were Three Towns B 16 Yeovil A 5, Nomads 6 Edinburgh A 5, Langside 7 Pennine A 3, Metro A 13 Three Towns C 6, Cheltenham & Glos 7 Metro B 6, Yeovil B 9 Dewsbury 4, Gateshead 9 Taunton Deane B 3, and Metro D 9 Gwent 4.

Now down to the quarter finals and Metro - with two teams still in at this stage - were looking their usual formidable selves, but now with all the bowlers playing top class stuff it was difficult to pick a winner. The Quarter final results - Three Towns B 10 Nomads 3, Langside 8 Metro A 5, Yeovil B 7 Cheltenham & Glos 3, Metro D 9 Gateshead 7, - meant we would once again witness an England v Scotland final, which would be between Three Towns B (14-4 winners over Langside) and Yeovil B (9-5 winners over Metro D). Unfortunately for Yeovil's Margaret Rumming, Colin Moore and Jim Goudie - who are proving to be one of our best triples teams these days - the Scotsmen (William McClure, Gerry Blasby, and David Thomas) had played some exciting stuff over the two days, which they did in the final - particularly their skip David Thomas - and finished 8-1 winners.

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Well done Three Towns and well done Yeovil.

Meanwhile amongst all the excitement, the balloted pairs was making good progress, with the final taking place slightly ahead of that of the triples. Always an enjoyable part of the weekend, the pairs is as the name suggests (balloted) a competition whereby the players involved draw for partners, and play in a knock out pairs event. Over the years it has proved to be a great success, with many friendly relationships being developed. Mind you, you wouldn't have though so if you had seen the ENAVHB Chairman's wife, Christine Newcombe, giving me (the organiser) a telling off for what I had done to the draw. All's well that ends well for not only did Christine get to the final of the competition, but so did one of the players (Robert Conway) of the South Lanark team who had been one of the unlucky runners up in the group stage of the triples competition. The winners of the balloted pairs were Robert Conway (South Lanark) & Ann Councill (Taunton Deane) who defeated Christine Newcombe (Pennine) & Diane Trewern (Taunton Deane) 7-5 in the final.

If the name Taunton Deane seems to becoming familiar to those in the balloted pairs, it's because they are becoming used to doing well in the event.

The tournament came to a close with ENAVHB President Mrs Joy Jarvis handing the rinks back to the Blackpool Borough Captain Mr Bert Welsby, and Joy assisting the Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Ivan Taylor, with the presentation.

During the presentation, not only did they present the players with their trophies and goblets, but also goblets to members of the Blackpool Club who helped so much at the tournament - not just this year but for a number of years - and to Metro's John Moran for working his socks off, forever marking games.

As tournament organiser, may I thank all those who attended the event for making a difficult job that much easier, as usual everyone of you ensured it was a great success. None more so than the boss - wife Janet - who gives me so much support, and as you know looks after the raffle, which along with the Carlisle raffle raised a massive £460 for ENAVHB.

I also thank the Executive Committee for all their support, especially Secretary Gail Hepworth who worked so hard at the organisers table.

Before moving on, Janet sends her thanks to all those who contributed to the raffle - whether it be by bringing a prize or buying a ticket - and thanks Mattie Addison and Alice Walmsley for the effort they put in with the Carlisle raffle and to Christine Newcombe and Beryl Bradley for their help with the main raffle.

The next raffle Janet will look after is the one at the Scarborough Pairs Tournament, so remember, all raffle prizes will be most welcome.

Finally, as you all know, an important by product of bowling is the friends we continually make and are constantly meeting up with.

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With this in mind I'll finish the report by telling you of a little something that happened at Blackpool. This happening so to speak, came about when ENAVHB Life Member Monica Gibbs got the surprise of her life, when after 50 years or more, she met up with an ex-boy friend of hers, local Blackpool resident Wally Benson. When Monica and Wally were 10 year old or so and pupils at Wavertree School for the Blind, apparently they went a courtin' (if anybody says anything appertaining to behind the bike sheds, you'll have Monica to deal with, so just be careful). We will say no more, but the chance meeting was set up by another ex-Wavertree pupil, Jean Fow of Preston Blind Bowling Club.

Wally first became involved with visually impaired bowling when he attended the 'Bowling for beginners' course held at Blackpool in August last year. He now bowls on a Thursday at the Blackpool Bowls Centre.

Still with coaching, the following report came from Richard Utting.

Coaching day at Malvern, Worcester.

Joy Jarvis, Valerie Utting and myself went to Malvern after a request was made for help and information on bowling for the visually handicapped.

We spent the morning on showing the interested helpers how to assist the bowler at the mat end and to mark. It was good to see about eight people who were interested in this.

After lunch we were joined by the visually impaired, two of whom were bowlers at county level before they started to lose their sight. One had done some bowling and one was a complete novice. It was very helpful to have Valerie, who is a B1 player, to show the two previous county bowlers that they could still enjoy bowling. I know that one had not bowled for two years but she had not lost the knack. I think her club will have her and the other lady back playing in matches.

The novice player seemed very enthusiastic and the other person was very grateful for the help given.

We came away with the feeling that we had planted seeds and that this would be built on.

On 15th February Hugh Swain, Valerie and myself will be in Bournemouth to help people in that area. If we get the same results then it will be very worthwhile.

Thank you for that report Richard.

Whilst touching on coaching, in the newsletter I can tell you that on behalf of bowling for the visually handicapped, the Executive Committee are committed to providing as many new bowls coaching courses as funding will allow, the main aim being to take ENAVHB visually impaired bowling to parts of the country where we are less well known.

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It is never easy to get funding, as the recent ENAVHB failure to gain coaching funding from 'European Year of Disabled' has proved. This set back will not stop us applying to other agencies for coaching funding, in fact we are at this very moment working closely with BBS on some funding for coaching.

Before leaving the subject of coaching, if any of you have any suggestions on how to gain such funding - or have suggestions of where we might hold further coaching courses - please let your Executive Committee know by writing to ENAVHB Secretary Mrs Gail Hepworth 18 Hervey Street LOWESTOFT NR32 2JG (Tele 01502 514700). Meanwhile we will press ahead with as much coaching as funds will allow.

Earlier I made mention of the fact that things go a little quieter on our bowls scene in the winter, not so it seems in the west country. As the following report from Clevedon VHBC Secretary, Jan Blackman will testify.

Somerset v Gloucestershire Bowls Tournament 20th October 2002

The second Somerset versus Gloucestershire bowls tournament, organised by Geoff Rawlinson took place at the Bristol and County Indoor Bowls Centre, South Liberty Lane on Sunday 20 October 2002. Geoff, a former West Country Sports Personality of the Year in 1985, has been nominated again this year. Good luck to you Geoff.

Although the weather outside was dull and drizzly, it did not dampen the spirits of the bowlers, and play should have started at 10am, on the 6 rinks used for the competition, but was slightly delayed due to traffic problems for the Gloucestershire participants. Play continued until 2pm or 21 ends had been played. The scores were, Somerset 132, Gloucestershire 91, so Somerset won by 41 shots.

Captains for the day were Eric Shackleford for the victorious Somerset team, and John Thomas for Gloucestershire.

Martyn Fackrell, last year's Somerset captain was unable to play this year due to his recent heart bypass operation, but it was lovely to see him there as a spectator. Everyone wished him a speedy recovery.

After their matches everyone was glad to sit down to the lovely lunch prepared and served by the restaurant staff.

Following the meal Laundon Gray invited our guest, Tony Shaw, Chairman of Woodspring Association for the Blind to present the trophy to the winning team and mementoes to each of the markers.

Special thanks must go to Geoff for his dedication and hard work in organising this second Somerset versus Gloucestershire tournament. Thanks should also go to Brian Light and Paul Gomez for their sterling work as umpires for the event.

Everyone had a good time and said they looked forward to the next tournament.

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That report was from Jan Blackman, Secretary of Clevedon V.H.B.C.

Thank you for letting us know what has been happening in the west country Jan. Reports such as this are always appreciated.

That brings us up to date with what has been happening on the greens, but before we go on to what work your Executive Committee is doing, we need to fill you in with one or two other pieces of news.

First of all I must inform you that I have just received news from Yvonne MeKegney, the Gateshead Secretary, that Doris Anderson is in hospital, and is very poorly. Those who have met Doris on the greens at both at the Gateshead club, and the Blackpool Triples, and of course the Nationals, will know she is a fighter, we keep our fingers crossed that this fighting spirit will pull her though her serious illness.

For those who are looking to book into the Lansdown Hotel for this years Nationals at Hastings - for which George Simmons has got a special rate - are informed that bookings have gone so well, that there are only double rooms now available.

Still with the Nationals, ENAVHB President Mrs Joy Jarvis writes to say - We all know the names of your Executive Committee very well, and we all know of all the work they do on our behalf, in keeping such a successful Association running. But I would like to ask you the members to name somebody you think deserves recognition because they have helped you to enjoy your bowls in your own quiet way - with let's say coaching, or perhaps transport - encouraging you along in whatever manner.

This year at the Nationals I plan to present an annual award - to be known as the Presidents cup - which will be presented each year to the person I chose from the list of nominations. So in order I honour somebody you nominate, please send me their name between now and the Nationals.

Everything will be dealt with in confidence - Mrs Joy Jarvis ENAVHB President

79 Tennyson Road St Marks Cheltenham GL51 7DD

Some time ago Joy was asked by a lady (Mrs Margaret Smith) if she would like to nominate three or four bowlers to join a party of disabled bowlers for a trip to South Africa. The trip would be for three weeks, the first part being bowling, the second part sight seeing. Joy put a number of names forward, the outcome being, along with Ruth Small & husband Jack (Sevenoaks), Tony Corcoran & wife Hilary (Cheltenham & Glos), Janet and I will team up with a multi- disability bowls team which departs for South Africa on the 21st May. I believe the bowling consists of a match against a local team, an England v South Africa mini-test match. and an invitation to play in the South African National Championships.

As mentioned earlier, many of you are kind enough to spare the time write in.

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Unfortunately, some of you enclose a message with your news-tape, as a result - on occasion - some get misplaced. To ensure all letters arrive safely please send them to the Executive Committee person that you want to communicate with, in my case: Mr J.H.(Jim) Bithell 56 Lightburne Ave Lytham St Annes FY8 1JE. Even if you receive the newsletter on tape, to ensure your message gets to me, it is always more reliable to send the message to my home, and not the Blackpool Blind Society.

You will remember that in your last newsletter, we asked if any of our members knew the whereabouts of some 15 of our Life members. The feedback from everybody failed - in all but two cases - to locate these people, so having heard nothing from them, it can only be assumed they are no longer involved with ENAVHB, that is of course, unless *we hear otherwise. I remind you once again the people we seem to have lost contact with are: Mr C Beckett, Mr Chris Button, Mr G Cross, Mr A Duffy, Mr J Fallon, Mr F Huggett, E Marriott, A Mitchell, Mr & Mrs F Owens, Mrs S Taylor (not Sandra), Mr N Thompson.

Over the last 12 months or so, on a number of occasions I have tried to contact these Life Members, but to no avail. Having done this, and sending them tapes, which have not been returned, it must be assumed these people no longer wish to involve themselves with ENAVHB.

One person who did get in touch was Len Betts of Irchester Northants. Len tells me he paid a visit to great Yarmouth to watch us play in the Nationals.

There is never a right time to send out the newsletter, leave it too late and the members get impatient, send it out too early and we can miss a report. On this occasion we waited for a report from David Mears, which I am glad to say arrived safe and sound.

UK Indoor Singles

Earlier this year entries were sought for the second UK Indoor Singles Championships. In England these were sparse and although the closing date was put back eventually totalled 26.

Clearly, in my view, a competition based on this particular format has not worked. Please remember that the BBS bowls committee welcome your ideas for a competition to replace this one. Anyway, thanks must go to Gail for her initial administrative support.

Two main play-offs were arranged in England, one in Bristol and the other in Leicester. There was also one match that took place in Blackpool, the outcome of which Jim informs me you will have read about earlier in this newsletter.

Bristol saw one B1 men's match, and a knockout between four B3 men. In the B1's Alan Dyte showed that he could transfer recent good form outdoors, by beating Brian Smith 21-8 to reach the finals.

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The other category brought two hard fought semi-finals, with Colin Moore conquering Hugh Swain, and Jim Coy eventually drawing away to beat David SNOWY Le Poidevin in a close match. A few days later, Colin Moore always managed to keep his head in front in defeating Jim, to book his place in Scotland. Hugh Swain gave up some of his own time to mark this match, many thanks Hugh! Also thanks are due to John Thomas who also made the arrangements for these play-offs to take place.

The evening before the Leicester play-offs there was a withdrawal due to ill health, in the B1 category for women. As there were only three entries in this category, the remaining two were not required to travel.

This left Howard Harrison to battle it out with Alan Sanders (B2 men), and Chris Turnbull to play yours truly. In the first match Howard gained an early lead but this was gradually clawed back by Alan. It then became nip and tuck until 15-14 up Alan got 4 shots to weaken Howard's resolve, eventually running out a 21-16 winner. I don't want to talk about the other match. You guessed it, Chris was just too good for me. He must have paid Paul Hawkes the marker, more than I did. I thought Paul was a mate. Seriously, Paul who marked both matches did a most impressive job.

Those reaching the finals from England are. B1 women - Ruth Small & Val Utting.

B1 men Eric Gallacher & Alan Dyte. B2 women Margaret Rumming & Linda Jarrett.

B2 men David Newton & Alan Sanders. B3 women Nancy Cheeseman &

Carol Lyne. B3 men Chris Turnbull & Colin Moore. B4 women Gail Hepworth & Myrtle Robinson. B4 men John Thomas & Jim Goudie.

Needless to say congrats to all of them. The Finals will take place over the weekend of 26 & 27 April 2003, at the West of Scotland Indoor Bowls Centre in Glasgow.

Well done David, both for the report and as an organiser of the event.

Staying with BBS - we go back to Blackpool on the Monday following the Blackpool Triples where BBS held their Bowls AGM at the RNIB's Century Hotel. To summarise this meeting, discussion took place on items such as International and Home Country bowls competitions, sight classification, and clarifying who were the current bowling representatives on the BBS Bowls Committee - in ENAVHB’s case these are confirmed as David Mears and John Newcombe MBE.

During discussion at this meeting the question was posed ‘Due to changes in BBS membership, what is the present position regarding membership of ENAVHB and the Scottish and Welsh Associations’ ? It can now be reported that further to a number of telephone calls and much correspondence, and after a meeting attended by David Mears and John Newcombe, it has been confirmed that the three home countries remain affiliated to BBS (As do other Organisations and clubs). There will be no Affiliation fees charged. Unfortunately as well as these changes at BBS, with the exception of the BBS Bowls Committee - clubs and Organisations have no voting rights.

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Due to these changes ENAVHB have asked BBS to meet with them for further discussion on the implications these alterations may cause.

Further to this I have been informed that some club secretaries have received a memo from BBS on this matter. From the bowlers point of view it is safe to say that all your bowling requirements are well met by ENAVHB, but if you want to get involved with any other visually impaired sport, or want a copy of the BBS ‘Target Magazine’ or want a vote at the British Blind Sport AGM, then you or your club will have to pay a £2 per year per individual BBS Annual Membership fee.

SUMMARIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Two meetings have been held since you last received your newsletter, one held at Blackpool on 20th November, the other at Melton Mowbray on 15th January.

At the meetings - as well as the usual Treasurers & Secretary’s reports and Correspondence - the items discussed: were - International Blind Bowls Association (IBBA) matters, BBS Bowls Competitions, ENAVHB Bowls Competitions, Bowls Coaching for Beginners, Promotional & Demonstration Events, the Commonwealth Games, last years ‘Open Forum Meeting and the forthcoming AGM.

Points of interest:

1 The Executive Committee (EC) have appointed England Team Manager and Association Secretary Gail Hepworth and Hugh Swain a member of the EC to act as ENAVHB representatives at the IBBA World Bowls Meeting to be held in May in South Africa

2. I have asked the EC if they would consider the possibility of holding ENAVHB County Bowls Matches. The idea being that players are selected to play for one of the four areas North, South & London Region, East, and the West Country to compete in a County Knock-out competition. the players selected would be resident in one of these four areas and the fixtures would be North v East and the West Country v London & South, with the winning teams meeting in a final play off. The teams would be made up of 15 players comprising of 4 x B1’s, 4 x B2’s, the other 7 places being open to B3’s and B4’s. The matches would be between 5 triples, each triple would include at least one lady bowler and a category of no more than B8.

The EC have said they will give this idea some thought, but in the meantime how about your ideas.

It is highly unusual to leave the Chairman's Report until the end but using the old adage "leave the best till the last" or in bowling terms "The skip plays the last bowl", I think it can be excused this time. But before the report I can tell you that Keith Bell, who was a well respected ENAVHB Chairman and B1 International bowler, and wife Marion, who used to do sterling work with the raffle each year at the Nationals, have emigrated to New Zealand. I have on your behalf wished them well in their new venture and they tell me they will pop back over and see us sometime. Our Best Wishes are with you both.

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I am pleased to say that we have had a successful calendar of tournaments, with bowling of an extremely high standard, being played all around the country. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking our Tournament Committee and other members of our Association for their hard work in organising events, for members to participate and enjoy.

In Australia the IPC games took place in April, with a number of our members taking part, representing Great Britain. Many congratulations to the team for bringing home a host of medals.

The next main event was our National Championships that were held in Skegness, from 9th to 14th June. This tournament was a huge success being well organised, by Gail Hepworth and Richard Utting, with a great deal of help given by our own members.

The Commonwealth Games were staged in Manchester in July/August where our only competitor Ruth Small won a Gold Medal, with husband Jack, her coach. Obviously, on behalf of our Association I have expressed well-deserved congratulations to Ruth and Jack, and hope we are allowed more competitors next time, to increase England's medal tally.

The England team took part in the UK Championships in August, in a very hot Scotland. The team gave an excellent performance, winning 4 Gold, 5 Silver and 2 Bronze, and taking the Bill Cox Memorial Trophy, for the best team overall. Gail Hepworth and myself being the England Management Team were absolutely delighted with this achievement.

We are organising the next UK Championships, being hosted by England. This event will take place in Skegness, from Monday 2nd to Saturday 7th August 2004.

Our Association has been invited to participate in two demonstration games by EIBA, at Northampton and Melton Mowbray, to promote visually impaired bowling. Also on a similar basis it is hoped to attend the EBA headquarters in Worthing in August.

Our thanks must go to Jim Bithell for arranging a superb coaching week for visually impaired people in the North West, wishing to try bowling. There was a fabulous response with people travelling to Blackpool, from Burnley, Blackburn, Liverpool, Manchester and Kendal etc. I look forward to similar events like this in other areas, in the future.

We have increased our membership over the last twelve months, and have a couple of new clubs, being Scarborough and Aylesbury. Our Committee Members are organising sessions for beginners, in various parts of the country that have expressed an interest in bowls. This policy of attracting new members is certainly bearing fruit.

I have been successful with my application towards a Grant, for a fund raising specialist, from the Charities Aid Foundation. I would like to express my thanks on behalf of our Association for their support. However, as you will appreciate, there is no guarantee of success over a limited period of time. I will keep you informed of our progress.

I believe our Association has a sound structure with our member clubs all over the country being helped and advised by their very hard working officials, for this we all should be most grateful.

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I would like to express my sincere thanks to my colleagues on the Executive Committee for their hard work done, on our behalf. In closing my report, I would like to wish all members of ENAVHB a very successful year in bowling with the social benefits it brings.

John Newcombe MBE

Chairman ENAVHB

As they say, all good things must come to an end, so until next time, enjoy your bowling. But before we end this edition of the newsletter, can I just say that in his report the Chairman missed one small matter of him receiving an MBE in honour of his contribution to visually impaired bowls. So once again, on your behalf.

Congratulations John.

Finally, may I remind all individual members and club secretaries that if the subscriptions are not paid within the next couple of weeks you and your members will not be entitled to an AGM vote (ie a postal vote) or further copies of the newsletter or entry to the Nationals. When paying the £5 membership, it is as well to send a list of members names and address’s to me, along with the cheque (payable to ENAVHB, and I will then forward the fees to ENAVHB Treasurer Richard Utting.

Mr J,H. (Jim) Bithell Newsletter Editor & Membership Secretary

56 Lightburne Ave Lytham St Annes Lancs FY8 1 JE

This years AGM will be held in Gloucester on Saturday 5^th April – writes Secretary Gail Hepworth – you will be pleased to know that only one proposed change to the constitution has been put forward by Richard Utting, this being as follows: -

5(e) – replace the word "one" with "two" so it reads no club more than two members on the executive"

If this change is accepted, then the constitution will read None of the five (5) areas shall have more than three (3) members, and no club more than two (2) members. on the Executive.

If anybody wishes to put an amendment to this proposal, or any nominations for the Executive (find Nomination Form enclosed), send them to me at my address before 21^st February.2003.

Mrs G Hepworth 18 Hervey Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2JG.

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