New Season

Hello all,

The outdoor season is approaching fast and as usual I am asking that any member who has not paid their annual membership (due on 1st January) pays either in full (£90) or half at the end of this month.
Those who have paid half fees please note that final payment is due before 1st April.
We need to know how many members we have so that we can organise competitions and leagues.
If any of you require a shirt please get in touch with Alice Atwell on 01252 722043 by the end of this month so we can order for the start of the season.
We don’t know the cost this year yet. Last year they were £29 each.
Social events:
The Stringalongs Ukulele group will be performing at the club on Saturday 5th April starting around 7.15pm.
Patricia will be hosting a quiz evening at the club on Saturday 10th May starting around 7.30pm
We need to generate more income at the club if we are now paying an outside contractor to do the green at the end of season, so I hope you will all try to attend and make these two events successful.
The green will open on Sunday 20th April. 
If you can spare a couple of hours to clean the club ready for opening during the week leading up to the 20th it would be greatly appreciated.
A list of jobs will be at the club and you can choose what to do and sign against it. The cleaning cupboard has been stocked in anticipation!
Thanks everyone
Flo Ward

Malcolm Henderson

Hi Everyone

Malcolm’s funeral is on Friday 17th January at 4pm at the Chapel of Rest at Kemp & Stevens Alton. Numbers are very limited so George Roberts will be representing the club. You are invited to join up with the funeral party afterwards, around 4 30, at Alton Social for a drink in Malcom’s memory.
Any problem please let me know.
Dick

Greenkeeping

Hi all,
An update on the greenskeepers situation.
Both Denny Smith and John Fensom have retired from the green keeping squad this year, we owe both of them our thanks and gratitude for all their hard work over many years cutting the grass every week, swishing in the winter and generally helping with the green and surrounds. They have both been great and will be missed from the squad.
David Cooper filled in for John this year (as he had an operation), but we need another person to replace Denny to cut the grass each week with another member of the green keeping team. Currently this would be a Wednesday morning each week with David, however if you cannot make a Wednesday we could look at changing things around to suit eg Mondays or Fridays. Can you help ? Without someone’s help we will not be able to cut the green as often as necessary and this will affect the speed of the green. You do not have to be retired to be a green-keeper as the green could be cut and maintenance carried out on weekends if necessary. This has been done previously at our old club by myself and others.
In addition as mentioned before, after over 20 years on and off looking after the green I no longer wish to be head greenskeeper but will still help cutting the green, so I am looking for my replacement. I will help and train the person this coming season if required. If we cannot find someone by the end of this coming 2025 season then we will have to hand over to a full time contractor with resulting cost to members, we will be handing some work over this year to a contractor as I will no longer be carrying out end of year and some other activities.
If you can help please let me know and I will run through what is required for either vacancy.

 

Regards
Kenneth Ward

Basingstoke & District Finals

Congratulations to Leo May, singles champion and Champion of Champions.

Congratulations also to Richie Burgin, Mark Fyfield and Matt Carr triples winners, who beat James Shillingford, Danny Brown and Reece Graham in their final.

Success also in the 2 wood triples final for David Cooper, Graham Sampson and Antony LaFrenais.

Luke and Leo May were pairs finalists and Anthony Lafrenais reached the singles final.

A great season well done to all.

Mixed Top Club Title Retained

ASBC beat New Milton 5-0 in the semi-final and were leading 3.5-1.5 when the final had to be abandoned due to a water logged green with about 4 ends to be completed.

The singles had been shared with Waterside and we were leading well in the pairs and triples, with the rink being all square.