First jack of the season delivered at Ballymoney Bowling Club

On Easter Saturday evening last with the sun just peeping through the evening sky Immediate Past President Jim Martin welcomed members and guests to the Official Opening of the Green for the 2015 season.
HAND OVER. Newly elected Ballymoney Outdoor Bowling Club President, Brian McAlary (left), receives his 'badge of office' from outgoing President Jim Martin.INBM15-15 009SC.HAND OVER. Newly elected Ballymoney Outdoor Bowling Club President, Brian McAlary (left), receives his 'badge of office' from outgoing President Jim Martin.INBM15-15 009SC.
HAND OVER. Newly elected Ballymoney Outdoor Bowling Club President, Brian McAlary (left), receives his 'badge of office' from outgoing President Jim Martin.INBM15-15 009SC.

Past President Jim introduced President Brian McAlary pinning on the Presidential Badge wishing him and all the members a very enjoyable and successful season.

President Brian thanked Jim for his good wishes and thanked him for all the success the Club had enjoyed during his year as President, he pinned on the Past President’s Badge, and invited his wife, Mairad to roll the silver jack and deliver the first bowl.

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Mrs Mairad McAlary after rolling the jack and delivering the first bowl and declaring the 2015 season open wished all the members a very happy enjoyable successful season both on and off the green.

PIN UP. Nikki Shiels, (left) newly elected President of Ballymoney Outdoor Ladies Bowling Club receives her Badge from outgoing President Rachel McBride.INBM15-15 010SC.PIN UP. Nikki Shiels, (left) newly elected President of Ballymoney Outdoor Ladies Bowling Club receives her Badge from outgoing President Rachel McBride.INBM15-15 010SC.
PIN UP. Nikki Shiels, (left) newly elected President of Ballymoney Outdoor Ladies Bowling Club receives her Badge from outgoing President Rachel McBride.INBM15-15 010SC.

Past Ladies President Mrs Rachel McBride introduced President Nikki Shiels pining on her Presidential Badge wishing her and the Ladies a very enjoyable and successful season, President Nikki also rolled a silver jack and delivered a bowl and declared the Ladies season open.

President Brian invited all present to the Social Room where supper was served by the ladies of the Club and judging by the empty plates enjoyed by all,

President Brian in his remarks welcomed all to Ballymoney Club for the start of the 2015 season, “I’m 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.

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“My thanks go to my wife Mairad for rolling the 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 Jim enjoyed last year with all the Teams all 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 Maurice Logue to ensure our members enjoy their bowling as well as the Social evenings he will be organising during the season.

STAND AND DELIVER. Ladies President, Nikki Shiels delivers her first bowl at the Green opening on Saturday evening.INBM15-15 007SC.STAND AND DELIVER. Ladies President, Nikki Shiels delivers her first bowl at the Green opening on Saturday evening.INBM15-15 007SC.
STAND AND DELIVER. Ladies President, Nikki Shiels delivers her first bowl at the Green opening on Saturday evening.INBM15-15 007SC.

“To President Nikki and the Ladies I thank very much for the very enjoyable supper you have served us this evening and wish you all a very good successful season in your League and Championships Programme.

“On behalf of all members I thank the members of Management Committee, who are a group of dedicated members, working tirelessly to successfully meet the needs and challenges of the Club, always striving to ensure the best interest of all are met and thanks to our Honorary Secretary Denis for all he does for us behind the scenes’.”

President Nikki thanked President Brian for his thanks and good wishes, wishing him and all the teams’ successful bowling. She thanked the Ladies for electing her as President and was looking forward to it very much, she thanked Past President Rachel for her leadership last season and asked all the Ladies for their support in the coming season. “I thank too all those who have worked so hard to have our green and premises looking so well, and I thank too our two honorary Secretaries Denis and Irene for all their work during the season behind the scenes, Thanks too 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 both on and off the green and hopefully nice weather to do so.”

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

Vice President Maurice told those present that raffles would be held on the Saturdays of home matches the money raised will go towards NIPBA Vice-President Tommy Smith’s and PTWBA Vice President Anne Smith’s Presidential season next year. “I ask all members for their support and I will be running the usual Lottery Bonus Ball Draw during the season as well. All members are asked to entry the Club Competitions they wish to play in on the Entry Forms which will be on the Notice boards and yes play will be starting on the 1st of July.”

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 15th April and no A.N. Others are allowed. As the green is very wet it is hoped to allow play towards next weekend 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.