Ballymoney bowling celebrate official opening of the green for 2016 season

On Friday evening last with the sun just peeping through the rain leaden evening sky the Club Honorary Secretary Denis J. Connelly welcomed members and guests to the official opening of the Green for the 2016 season.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Apr 2016, 09:59 BST
HIGH FLYERS. Tommy Smyth, President of the N.Ireland Provincial Bowling Association, pictured along with Deputy Mayor Cllr Darryl Wilson and fellow dignitaries at the raising of the PBA Flag at Ballymoney Bowling Green on Saturday.INBM14-16 019SC.HIGH FLYERS. Tommy Smyth, President of the N.Ireland Provincial Bowling Association, pictured along with Deputy Mayor Cllr Darryl Wilson and fellow dignitaries at the raising of the PBA Flag at Ballymoney Bowling Green on Saturday.INBM14-16 019SC.
HIGH FLYERS. Tommy Smyth, President of the N.Ireland Provincial Bowling Association, pictured along with Deputy Mayor Cllr Darryl Wilson and fellow dignitaries at the raising of the PBA Flag at Ballymoney Bowling Green on Saturday.INBM14-16 019SC.

He apologised for the absence of Immediate Past President Brian McAlary due to his Mother in law being seriously ill, sadly she passed away on Saturday and deepest sympathy is expressed to Brian, his wife Mairad and family circle at this sad time.

Honorary Secretary Denis introduced President Maurice Logue pinning on the Presidential Badge wishing him and all the members a very enjoyable and successful season. President Maurice thanked Denis for his good wishes and expressing his wish that Club Members enjoy as much success on green as they had last season. He invited his wife, Barbara to roll the silver jack and deliver the first bowl. Mrs Barbara Logue after rolling the jack and delivering the first bowl and declaring the 2016 season open wished all the members a very happy season.

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Ladies Honorary Secretary Mrs Irene Hunter introduced President Nikki Shiels, who is serving a second year, as President wishing her and the Ladies a very successful season, President Nikki also rolled a silver jack and delivered a bowl and declared the Ladies season open. President Maurice invited all present to the Social Room where supper was served by the Ladies of the Club,

BOWLED OVER. Tommy Smyth, elected President of the Northern Ireland Provincial Bowling Association, pictured at Ballymoney Bowling Green on Saturday along with his wife Anne, who is also President of the N.Ireland Provincial Ladies Bowling Assocation.INBM14-16 020SC.BOWLED OVER. Tommy Smyth, elected President of the Northern Ireland Provincial Bowling Association, pictured at Ballymoney Bowling Green on Saturday along with his wife Anne, who is also President of the N.Ireland Provincial Ladies Bowling Assocation.INBM14-16 020SC.
BOWLED OVER. Tommy Smyth, elected President of the Northern Ireland Provincial Bowling Association, pictured at Ballymoney Bowling Green on Saturday along with his wife Anne, who is also President of the N.Ireland Provincial Ladies Bowling Assocation.INBM14-16 020SC.

President Maurice welcomed all to Ballymoney Club, visitors, new members and members for the start of the 2016 season. He said: “I am very honoured and proud on being elected your President and thank all the members for electing me to this highly esteemed office and look forward to my period in office and hope we can enjoy some success along the way. My thanks go to my wife Barbara for rolling the silver jack and delivering the first bowl of our new season and I can only hope it will be as good as the one Past President Brian enjoyed last year when all the teams had a very good year, well done and thanks to him for all his work carried out last year and I look forward to working with my Vice-President Robert McBride to ensure our members enjoy their bowling as well as the Social evenings in the Social Room during the season. I thank very much that very small band of loyal Club members who have worked so hard around our green and premises to have them looking so well, it is up to us all to keep them clean and tidy this special year as we have two of our members as Presidents of both our Ladies and Men’s Associations and I can only wish Tommy and Anne Smith on behalf of all our members all our support in your busy seasons and wish you enjoyment as you carry out your many Presidential duties. To President Nikki and the Ladies I thank very much for the very enjoyable supper and wish you all a very successful season in your League and Championships Programme. President Maurice on behalf of all members thanked the members of Management Committee and Sub-Committees for working tirelessly to meet the needs and challenges of the Club.”

President Nikki thanked President Maurice, wishing him and all the teams’ successful bowling. She thanked the Ladies for electing her as President for a second year. She added: “I thank all those who have worked so hard to have our green and premises looking so well, and I thank our two honorary Secretaries Denis and Irene for all their work during the season behind the scenes, thanks to Maurice and the bar staff for all their work in the Social room and thanks to Alistair Steele and Charlie Edger for all their time and work done on our green, I wish you all an enjoyable season and hopefully nice weather to do so.”

Presidents Maurice and Nikki presented to Presidents Tommy and Anne a beautiful Ballymoney Badge, made of coloured glass by Member Jim Martin, which they both thanked the Club Members for as a happy reminder of their year in Association office.

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President Tommy and President Anne both thanked all the Club members for their support so far and looked forward to it during the season just started with the many extra events being played on our green. They both wished Presidents Maurice, Nikki and Members very enjoyable and successful seasons both on and off the green.

President Maurice presented last season’s winning medals to our Team members present thanking them all for their support to their various teams.

Members are reminded that beginning of season friendlies are being organised so watch the notice boards for Teams being posted, also copies of all the Leagues and Cup Programmes are on the Notice Boards and also the NIPBA Championship Entry Form, note, names must be on it by Wednesday 13th April and no A.N. Others are allowed. As the green is very wet it is hoped to allow play towards the middle of next week but watch the notice board for details and members are reminded to move the delivery mat about and not always put it in the same place, this helps to ease the wear on the rink ends at this time of year.