Devizes Bowls Club

January / February

You can be forgiven for thinking that nothing happens on the greens during the winter but in fact a great deal has to be done to protect and make sure the reputation of the best greens in Wiltshire is maintained for the coming season.

The greens are currently looking as good as can be expected for the time of year, whilst the frost and snow have helped to keep them protected from infections and halted their growth, we have experienced a considerable amount of moss growth, certainly more than normal!

We have mown the top green once and the Contractor has made one visit to aerate both greens and spray a concoction of feeds and herbicides to control the moss.

The hedge bordering the top green has been cut back by 1 meter giving more space on the pathway and a much tidier appearance.

As a team we are meeting weekly to check the greens and their surroundings and carry out maintenance. Most of the edges have been clipped and a considerable number of weeds removed from the surface.

We are expecting the change in the weather to start the grass growing again. Regular mowing will then gradually reduce the height to a playing level by the start of the season.

Greens Team.

A BIG THANK YOU from Ash and Kelvin to those members who responded to our survey regarding the Club website.

We had 56 returns from members and we wanted to let you know that the restructering of the site is complete and adresses those wishes expressed where it was possible.

A Complete Survey Result table can be found by clicking on Members Area and selecting Members you will need the password to view it.

Devizes entertained Seend and had a very enjoyable evening of bowls. Playing two triples and a rink, it was a very close game… our visitors ended the evening with a narrow victory winning 46 points to 40.

The match was followed by a buffet supper, and we look forward to a return match at Seend next month.

Huge thanks to Martin Hambling from Star Care Medical Professionals for an excellent demonstration on how to respond in case of cardiac arrest. His lighthearted yet clear and expert approach will without doubt have helped members present to be more confident in delivering this critical first aid to a fellow citizen in their time of need.

A refresher on CPR was also very well received… I had forgotten exactly where to apply pressure, and most importantly just how much pressure to apply in order to give effective resuscitation.

Thanks also to club member Jo for organising and taking on guardianship of the DBC defibrillator and thank you to those members of our club who came along to receive this vital training.