Balaia Bowls Club News and Events 2024

SUMMER TIME REST

We are in a quiet time until early September. The green at Valverde is closed during August. Things will get going again from Monday 2nd September. A large number of touring teams will be visiting during September and October, ideal pre-season preparation for us (and our hosts at Valverde) before the winter league season begins in mid October. The call will go out for players in due course. Visitors are more than welcome to swell the numbers. More information here as and when available.

NEW PLAYING TARIFF AT VALVERDE

It was agreed at a meeting between the two committees that playing fees for Balaia Bowls Club members will, with immediate effect, fall into line with those paid by members of Valverde BC.

Pay as you go - €85 a year plus €8 per game. Three months, including all match fees, €175; six months €270; Annual €420. VISITORS to the club will pay €12 per match. All payments MUST be in cash, on the day.

Memberships will have the added benefit to Balaia members of membership of Valverde BC with all rights and privileges included. As a Valverde member, you will be eligible to enter their competitions.

SOME GENERAL NEWS UPDATES May 5th

Club Competitions -The season 2023 - 2024 competitions have new been concluded. A presentation and awards event will be arranged in due course. Our competitions for seasopn 2024 - 2025 will run concurrently with the Bowls Algarve winter league, i.e. from mid October until mid - March.

Club Memberships - thanks to those who have already signed up and paid for full membership. We remind you that all memberships lapsed with the new financial year that started on 1st April. If you wish to renew or apply for a full or social membership, please speak with a Committee Member and have the €10 (full) or €5 (social) in your hand. Purely social members cannot play in leagues and club competitions.

Touring Teams - we have been playing a lot of games against various touring teams. Sometimes we are mixed in with Valverde BC members, sometimes we have been fours or triples entirely of Balaia members. The final game was on Friday 26th April. The outcome was a win for Bowls Algarve. Here we are with the trophy! Click or tap to see it in the full size.

Bowls Algarve Winter League - a recent meeting of Bowls Algarve, our governing body, has made certain decisions regarding the winter league. The only ones to really concern member are (1) that season 2024 - 2025 winter league matches will normally start at 1030am, not 1100am as previously and that (2) the match fee for visitors will remain at €8. We are intending to hold a club event (which will involve playing bowls!) for ALL those who sign up for the winter league. This will be a week or two before it starts, probably therefore early in October. Watch out for that one.

BALAIA BOWLING GREEN IS NOW A PUTTING GREEN

Picture taken April 8th - click or tap to see full size

BALAIA BOWLING GREEN TUESDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2024

These pictures were taken this morning, before the Committee Meeting. It's a public holiday today, so no-one was working. I was able to get a better look than before. It is clear now that what is being built between the green and the big white wall of the building behind is a turning circle for cars and a little lay-by for perhaps two or three parking spaces. A fire hydrant has appeared on one corner of the green where the water pumping mechanism once stood. This work has cut away another corner of the green, which was not expected. That whole work area is very close to what would be the edge of the green. The trench along the side has been filled, but there are all sorts of pipes and cables laying around. The good news is that the grass is still being cut - you will see the mower in a couple of the pictures.  Elsewhere, construction of the roads on either side of the driving range continues.

To see a larger version of the pictures, please click or tap. The situation was discussed in Committee. All members have been sent the notes of the meeting.

BOWLS ALGARVE INTER-CLUB OPEN PAIRS RESULT

Monday 5th February - Frances and Jill, defending their title, reached this season's semi final with a 21 - 11 win over Susan Kinane and Greer Hogg from Floresta.
They were defeated in the semi-final 23- 10 by Nick Gooch and Mark Richards of Pedras BC.

Balaia Bowls Club Christmas lunch 22nd December 2023

An excellent gathering, enjoyed by all, at Restaurante O Lavrador near Boliqueime. A raffle raised €210 for our charity, the Albufeira Food Bank. Click or tap a picture to see a larger size.
That concluded our activities for 2023. The bowling season resumes on 3rd January 2024.

Balaia Bowls Club Christmas rollup Thursday 21st December 2023 - and the green that same day.

click or tap for a larger size - we were at Valverde as our green remains closed Not all members could be present. Afterwards we repaired to the Balaia clubhouse for a drink. Whose jumper is the best?

click or tap to see a larger size. The shed has gone and the first excavations between the green and the wall of the adjacent property are under way. The grass is still being cut, a good sign.