BUDE Bowling Club Opening Day of the 2010 season was held on Saturday (April 17) on a beautiful, sunny afternoon. Secretary Bill Dixon introduced President Harold Reece-Pinchin who asked for a minute's silence in memory of Babs Apsee who was a past member of the Club.

Secretary Bill then introduced Sarah Pringle, a Director of the Budehaven Recreation Ground, who said it was a privilege to be at the Green's 2010 opening and wished everyone a good season. She thanked Green Keeper Andrew Wise and his son Adam for all the hard work they had done on the Green to bring it to its present good condition. She wished everyone a good season before formally handing the Green over to the Club and asking NE Division Chairman Cynthia May to bowl the first wood of the 2010 season.

President Harold welcomed everyone and said how good the Green and Pavilion were looking. He too thanked Green Keeper Andrew Wise and his son Adam as well as the Budehaven Recreation Ground for the work that had been put in during the winter and said how much the Club appreciated it.

The afternoon's bowling started with a Spider followed by a very enjoyable Drive and a sumptuous faith tea.

President Harold wished Cynthia May a good year as Chairman of the North East Division and congratulated Beryl Vickery on being selected for a John's trial.

He went on to thank all those who had worked so hard on the kitchen during the winter - Robert & Lisa Wilkins for the donation of the kitchen units, Gerry & Doreen Pinnegar for the plan and for giving the fridge and freezer, John Ford for the demolition work, Steve Jones for putting it all together, Geoff Perkins for doing the electrical work and Bill & Trish Dixon for their contribution. It looks fantastic and everyone will enjoy using it.

He also thanked Bruce French and his team for their work painting the changing room and John Ford for hanging the new door given by Simon Gambriel. He went on to thank Theresa Tibbetts for organising an enjoyable fish & chip supper and quiz and Colin & Beryl Vickery who organised a coffee morning. He thanked all those who had prepared the pavilion for the start of the new season before welcoming new and returning members and wishing everyone a happy and successful season.

The winner of the Spider was Andy O'Callaghan who received a bottle of wine while Colin Gardner, Simon Hockaday & Lewis Heard won the Drive and had a lucky dip prize.

Altogether a very good start to the new season.