Page 3 - Spring 2019

Page 3_Layout 1 04/04/2019 09:33 Page 1
3 Sadly, it seems that not even
EDITORS
EDITORS
RAMBLINGS
RAMBLINGS
For the first time ever, I
For the first time ever, I
tried to get the last
tried to get the last
magazine out before
magazine out before
Christmas but in the
Christmas but in the
end, I only got it back
end, I only got it back
from the printers on the
from the printers on the
21st Dec, so not enough
21st Dec, so not enough
time to package them
time to package them
up and get them in the
up and get them in the
post.
post.
In the rush, I suc-
In the rush, I suc-
cessfully managed to
cessfully managed to
overwrite page 22 (Suf-
overwrite page 22 (Suf-
folk Chairman’s Triples)
folk Chairman’s Triples)
with page 23 and thus it
with page 23 and thus it
appeared twice?
appeared twice?
Sorry folks but
Sorry folks but I I
never said I was per-
never said I was per-
fect! I have produced
fect! I have produced
the missing page in this
the missing page in this
issue and corrected the
issue and corrected the
number in the Potters
number in the Potters
photo.
photo.
This has been the
This has been the
worst struggle I have
worst struggle I have
ever had trying to find
ever had trying to find
the time to print this
the time to print this
issue, along with my
issue, along with my
usual struggle for copy!
usual struggle for copy!
I have made many end-
less appeals over the years for
more News and views for the
magazine, mostly falling on
deaf ears as people do not
seem to be bothered about
their shrinking sport, especially ally banned by the Swedish especially with carpet develop-
the English, Welsh and Scots.
PLEASE READ THE However, the UK still
ARTICLE IN THIS ISSUE
Championships and did not re-
the UK grass roots players are spect the Swedish Associa-
bothered about our shrinking tion’s decision, which in my
sport, otherwise I would be in- view was completely and ut-
undated by complaint letters. terly wrong and was basically
For those who are fed up an interference in another
with my constant pleas in this country’s affairs.
great sport, you will be glad to Whether or not we
know I’m running out of steam agreed or disagreed with the
and heading for the “Nackers Swedish Association’s deci-
Yard.” sion. We should not interfere
The future (or not) of the with the internal politics of an-
magazine is in your hands not other National Association and
mine, I will print it if I get this I am led to believe may
enough copy, or I will eventu- happen again. How would we
ally give it up, which would feel if it was done to us?
save me a huge amount of There are I’m afraid too
time, effort and money but it many Luddites in the UK where
would make me very sad! uniform and dress are far more
Looking at Short Mat important than actually playing
Bowls I must confess I am im- the game. I would love to be far
mensely disappointed in how more blunt in anything I say but
the sport has developed or in- I have sadly learned to restrain
deed not developed. myself.
I had high hopes in 1984 Trying to get reports is
when I got involved and helped like getting blood out of a stone
put the playing rules together and the Lord helps those who
and wrote the constitution etc. help themselves, so it is point-
etc. less complaining about shrink-
Now it is seems OK for ing club membership if you do
England players to tell domes- nothing constructive to pro-
tic opponent to “F**K Off” with- mote the sport.
out apparently incurring any I would remind everyone
disciplinary action or even for that I’m not a journalist and I
an England player to appar- have knifed and forked my way
ently run around a hotel naked through 26+ years of publish-
for a bit of fun. ing the magazine. I accept that
There was a time when when I eventually give it up,
all bowls was basically the pre- that no-one else will take it on
serve of the UK but there is but at least I have a clear con-
now a Short Mat World Council science in the matter.
who ostensibly run the sport at I think that Carpet Bowls
World level and I look forward has also had a few dark days
to day they really take over. along the way but their devel-
At the last 2018 World opment seems to be getting
Championships in Sweden, the back on track, at least in Eu-
Swedish people involved in or- rope. The link with New
ganising the event were actu- Zealand is very important I feel,
Association. ments in Sweden, Norway and
beyond.
BobbyWeaf
pushed ahead with the World BobbyWeaf