Just to let members and also players know, there will be a practice match on Friday 29th April, Castle Douglas has kindly agreed to host this. The intention is that I will be able to look at some players in different positions and also as a form of team building. I am aiming to have at least 32 players there, if not more.

There was a good discussion at last executive committee meeting and this is one suggestion that we all felt could help get a real unity of purpose for this years Hamilton Trophy. Letters are in the process of being issued to all players for selection and I will finalise rinks for practice match as soon as I can. Please note positions and rinks for practice match may not be positions or rinks for first game, it is for practice and I will be changing things throughout game. Weather permitting we will try and get 12-14 ends played, starting at 6.30pm.

I will contact club reps with full details nearer time to ensure all players are notified.  

Message from Hughie Robertson

After discussions with President Arthur McFegan and secretary Graeme Maxwell, I have agreed to continue for another year as team manager.
My intention is to issue letters to club reps at our next meeting in March, they will contain a stamped addressed envelope to return to myself by 31/03/11.
I will then arrange to select squad for coming season. Once again I will also be engaging some of our experienced ex players to assist on HT games. Looking forward to building on what we started last season.

The SBA Mixed Pairs competition has for a number of years been played over one day or weekend.  The SBA has intimated that, as the competition is a national event, it must be played over the full 17 ends (plus trials).  District 17 Councillor Iain McLelland has been looking for the best way to run the play off in our district and it is almost certain that arranging ties for Wednesday nights is the best option.  The ties will probably run alongside the gents’ SBA district ties which are played on Monday nights, and the district final of the mixed pairs may this year be held alongside the gents’ finals as these will be hosted by Maxwelltown.  A firm confirmation is still to come, and an update will be posted on this site as soon as possible.

At the Stewartry AGM one of the attending members suggested to District Councillor Iain McLelland that the gents’ district finals could be played on a weekend as a Finals Day, rather than on  the traditional Monday night.  Two good reasons for this suggestion were that the competitors would not have to rush from work to the venue and the host club could then select the better rinks for play as two or more sessions could be held, instead of every rink, good or bad, having to be used due to time constraints.  Iain has advised that this year’s finals will be held as normal at Maxwelltown, probably on 20th June, however he will canvass all clubs to seek opinions on the suggestion of a finals day for the following year.

Sat 14/5/11    Renfrewshire South - away - Paisley Victoria
Sat 21/5/11    Glasgow East - home - Castle Douglas
Sat 28/5/11    Dunbartonshire East - away - Kirkintilloch
Sat 4/6/11    Dumfriesshire - home - Dalbeattie
Sat 11/6/11    Ayrshire South - away - Newmilns
Sat 18/6/11    Wigtownshire - home - New Abbey
Sat 25/6/11    Lanarkshire South - away - Springwells

Some early dates for 2011 for those planning their holidays!

League starts 2nd May 2011

KBA Cup      6th, 13th and the Final on the 20th May @ Spalding.

Top Ten      3rd, 10th and Final on the 17th June @ Spalding

County Singles @ Castle Douglas on Sunday 26th June

County Triples @ Kirkcudbright on Sunday 14th August

Finals Day @ Spalding on Sunday 4th September

The Stewartry has at last got a new secretary. Graeme Maxwell from Castle Douglas has taken on the job of replacing Stevie Conchar. I hope all the clubs and players in the Stewartry will give Graeme their full support.

I asked Graeme for a “Mission Statement”  and I am delighted to share I with all the Bowlers in the Stewartry.

My aims as Secretary are to provide a first class service to the President, Committee and each of the member clubs, ensuring all the competitions are run smoothly and fairly.  I would like to see as many people as possible playing bowls in the Stewartry and will do what I can to assist clubs in this.

REMEMBER IT IS COUNTY AGM ON WENDESDAY 29th, at Castle Douglas Club House at 7.30.

Has anyone volunteered to be the new Secretary??