A first for Chawton Park

On Wednesday the 11th of December Chawton Park IBC in Alton, Hampshire, hosted its sixth annual ‘Jamboree’ to celebrate the culmination of the club's recruitment initiative for their indoor season and the final session of "Bowls4Fun", supported by the Bowls Development Alliance's "Silver Package" Award. The event was attended by the Town Mayor, Mr Derek Gardner, over 50 members and Bowls4Fun players, the Chawton Park Coaching Team and Lucy Barratt, Bowls Development Officer for the BDA. Eight ends of bowls were completed before everyone retired for a buffet provided by the members and a raffle with gifts provided by Bowls4Fun participants.

Chawton Park achieved a first when Lucy Barratt presented the first ever Bowls Alliance Volunteer award to Sheila Goodwin and the Volunteers of Chawton Park IBC (Picture below). It acknowledged the contribution, hard work and dedication to everything bowls over the past few years. In accepting the award, Sheila said, "The "Jamboree" was the culmination of a lot of work from the whole team, especially Sheila and Brian Crow, who can be well satisfied with the outcome. Thank you to the BDA for the unexpected presentation ~ it was certainly a surprise, but what we do could not happen without help from a lot of other people, and I am grateful and thankful to them all for their support. "

The Mayor, Derek Gardner, was highly impressed by the work put in by Chawton Park and its Coaching Team that ensured bowls is open to all and the community feel welcome at the club. After taking part in the jamoboree he declared himself keen to come again and have another go!

Robert, Commonwealth Games Gold medallist and England International and Carol Newman of "Cotswold Bowls", made bowls gear available from their Roadshow Shop and many of the new members were able to select Christmas presents for their new sport. St James Place's Russell and Peter were also on hand to offer financial advice to those interested.

Thanks go to Doreen Atkins and Norma Craighill for organising the buffet, to Ken Shuker for his coaching and to Anf for coaching and running the raffle on the day as well! To John Birch for his support and assistance and for running the bar with Terrie who organised the rinking up. Special thanks to Sheila and Brian for their constant and tireless work on behalf of the club. We send our sincere sympathy to Coach Beryl Collier , our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Coach Don Stephens and many thanks to CPIBC Coaching Co-Ordinator Don Goodwin who, although unable to participate fully has been a tower of support and encouragement throughout.

To date the initiative has gained a minimum of 30 new members who are about to form another new league to commence in the New Year.

A big success for the club and a huge achievement by the Coaching Team.

16.12.13