The Bowling Club opened their season a week earlier than the official opening by MP Alan Beith. The new premises proved to be an immediate success and was referred to as “the pride of the valley”.
It was not surprising to read later that an award for the Best Builder had been awarded to David Gregory.
And so the 2001 season started with a flourish.
At the instigation of the new secretary, Michael Hodgson, who had reluctantly taken over following the resignation of Alan Robson and the later move of Eileen Weallans to the South, a concerted effort was made to attract new members by a leaflet drop throughout the area. It was unknown how much this contributed to an increase in membership as it was only one of many initiatives undertaken throughout the year that included personal recruiting, newspaper promotion and the attraction of the new pavilion. All the committee were involved in this exercise although special thanks must be given to local postman, Bobby Cairns, who had borne the brunt of this exercise. Whatever the reason, the number of members grew from 54 to 68: the highest since the fifties.
In view of the promises of the previous year the secretary was rather surprised to receive a request to use the bowls room from the secretary of the recreation club. It was to be used by a potential table tennis club. As this was to take place on the usual Thursday club night it was felt inappropriate and the request was later withdrawn with an apology and a comment that “sometimes enthusiasm got the better of judgement”. But all was well!
2002 started well with Peter Stafford taking over from Alwyn Ramsay with Ivan Beer as his Vice President. But during the year the usual grouses over selection were voiced, and it must be admitted that the case of Tommy Gunn did cause some resentment.
Tommy had had his name posted for over three weeks without opposition, but he was dropped without warning the night before the match. The selection committee picked A Robson and the President. It was rumoured that having lost their last EBA game they were now free to play. Whatever the reason, Tommy, who had scheduled his weekend around this event, was dropped at the last moment and was most unimpressed.
The only real problems over these latter years were those associated with the green. Bobby Cairns who had taken over from Thomas Dixon was unable to continue due to hip problems and a replacement was sought. Alwyn Ramsay contacted Cyril Foster who agreed to take over this important position.
All during 2001 the green was maintained immaculately. Cyril was down first thing in the morning to set out markers and was always on hand at the end of the day to tidy up. He established a rink rota to equalise wearing; a “new” idea that seemed to bother the more competitive players who preferred to use rinks where they could take advantage of known runs. Green markers were changed frequently to satisfy this competitiveness and as frequently the green keeper resigned, throwing the keys of the equipment hut to whoever was around at the time. On each occasion Alwyn stepped in to resolve the situation and the season ended with the general consensus that the green had benefited from the rotation and that Cyril had been an excellent green keeper.
The green was better than it had ever been and Cyril agreed to continue the following year.