November 2007 National Executive Newsletter

Barry Latham                                                                                          Barendy

Assistant Director                                               Calle Placido Domingo 10-59/115

Tel No: 0034 96 679 0711                                                 Urbanisation La Marina

Mobile: 0034 669721670                                                         03177 San Fulgencio

E-mail: barryl@gonuts4free.com                                                                Alicante

November 2007

Dear Members

“The time has come,” or “and so to bed, said Brian” which ever you remember and so I ride off into the distant hills to live a life of pleasure and peace in retirement.  I wish!!

I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed the past few years even though our bank balance has gone down.  I certainly wouldn’t change it and hopefully as things are progressing the powers to be in Madrid will soon realise how much the National Executive does for bowls in Spain and be a bit more generous.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank various people for their guidance, help and friendship like John Young who invited me onto the NEC and who did such a lot for Bowls in Spain; Kate Shields who did a great job for Ladies bowls in Spain and on the world scene; Tony Winterton who gives freely of his time to deal with anything in the Spanish language and also finds time to be Treasurer and be Delegate for the Costa del Sol; to all the old and new members of the NEC who have always strived to improve the Federation wherever they were living and last but certainly not least to ‘my partner in crime’, Graham Marlow who has done and is still doing a tremendous amount for Spain’s International affairs and has been instrumental in getting Spain to be a recognised force in world bowls. 

We did advertise for someone to take my place but as they say better the devil you know so taking over is Brian Pocock (Greenlands).  Personally I can’t think of anyone better for his knowledge of bowls spreads over many years not only here but in England.  I am sure he will do a great job for all of you and should you need to get in touch you can on the phone 96 678 6223 or email bj36branjan@hotmail.com .

While mentioning retirements, Crystal Toleman has finally stepped down from her post of Delegada de Communidad  Valencia.  Not only do the NEC want to thank her for all the work she has put into bowls over a very long time, for her playing ability and her work at the beginning of bowls in Spain especially for the ladies but I think that all bowlers owe Crystal a debt of gratitude for all she has done in helping to build up bowls on the Costa Blanca.

Steve Westall is as you know on the NEC and he has agreed to take on the mantle of Delegado for Valencia.  I am sure we wish him every success.

The Nationals are well on their way with Rick Wills, Chairman of the Nationals Committee doing a great job.  You should all have had your entry forms by now.  If by any chance they aren’t up on your Club notice board have a word with your Club Delegate.  You can find out what is going on with the Nationals and all the up to date information can be found on the Nationals Website www.spanishbowlsnationals.com .

Sheila Stead and Keith Jones are by now in Warilla, Australia getting in some serious practice before taking part in the World Singles Champion of Champions.  You can catch up with their results on the World Bowls website

www.worldbowlsltd.co.uk/results.html   Best of Spanish luck to both of them.

With yet more retirements, this time from the Ladies National Squad there will be a Ladies Trial at Emerald Isle on December 8^th 2007.  Notices have already been sent out and should again be on the Club notice board .

Spain are sending a team of four out to Hong Kong and China from 28^th February –

7^th March 2008 and the four selected are Skip -  Malcolm Greenwood (Benavista), Three - Fred Roberts (La Marina), Two - John Muldoon (Quesada) and Lead - Brian Manser (Javea Green).  It will be a great experience and hopefully they will have a lot of stories to tell when they return.

Lastly we wish the World Bowls Ladies and Men’s teams going to Christchurch, New Zealand the very best of travelling and luck.  If there is anyone out there who would like to sponsor the teams as we still haven’t got a main sponsor, we would really appreciate a donation of 40,000 euros to our cause or any donation will be gratefully received.

Finally may I say once again a big thank you to all the Federation Members for their support and friendship over the past few years and may it continue in the years to come.

Best wishes. 

See you on the circuit.

Barry Latham

Ex - Assistant Director for Bowls in Spain