So I get this email, talking about a bowling green, somewhere in the world. They’re discussing how to use the greens, the departure of the maintenance guy, Peter, and how to increase usage. No, I’ve never been on a bowling committee in my life…
From: Tony ****** <t*@*******.co.uk> To: Bill ****** <w.******@btinternet.com>, janandcolin******@hotmail.co.uk, thewrongjohnsilver@googlemail.com, phil******@hotmail.co.uk, peter@*******.**********.co.uk, Sheila ********* <s_*********@sky.com> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2015 13:15:12 Subject: Re: ABC Bowls - Section size and Greenkeeper Dear All Thanks Bill for the mail. We discussed this a bit with Peter on Tuesday. I am concerned for the green which as usual at this time of year is getting no relief from heavy use. Peter has in the past said the green is there to be played on and I have appreciated his positive attitude. On Tuesday Peter did say there now maybe need to reduce the use of the green to give it a chance to survive. I would support Peter and any greenkeeper who constricts the use of a rink or more through necessity. The large pool of players which is keeping some from being selected as often as they would wish indicates we should provide more playing opportunities, not less. My suggestion is that we use rinks 4 & 5 whenever possible which would increase the playing capacity by up to 60%. For rink 4, I mean use the rink side line between rinks 1 & 2 for the centre line of rink 4 and use the centre lines of rinks 1 & 2 as the side lines for rink 4. Rink 5 would use the rink side line between rinks 2 & 3 for its centre line. This would provide just two rinks on the green on relatively new grass to be used for club internal roll ups and competitions when 3 rinks are not booked. I understand this has been done in the past so not a new concept. I understand Peter is happy to move his ‘closed until 18:00’ maintenance day from Thursdays to Mondays to coincide with the change by the club for their opening hours. If agreed, I am willing to reissue the rink booking sheets and a note to all about the use of rinks 4 & 5. To take my ideas one step further, if agreed I would be happy to lead a one-off time limited project to get a topological survey of the green to precisely identify and quantify the highs a lows so that we could consider what could be done to further move, beyond all the good work done by Peter and others over the last few years, the green towards being flat and level. I would attempt to get the green surveyed as a student case study for free, failing that as a one off paid survey for which, providing it is reasonable, I am willing to pay. I would support any attempt by the committee to reduce or remove any excess money we pay to the club over and above what other sections pay so that we have funds that could be used to pay for green capital and current account works. This would not pay for a greenkeeper but may go towards supporting the volunteer team keeping the green in the future. Kind Regards Tony
--- From: Bill ****** <w.******@btinternet.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 1:34 PM To: janandcolin******@********.co.uk, thewrongjohnsilver@googlemail.com, phil******@hotmail.co.uk, peter@********.**********.co.uk, t*@*******.co.uk, Sheila ********* <s_*********@sky.com> Subject: RBL Bowls - Section size and Greenkeeper Dear All A. We have 48 paid up members and at least another 3 possible new members wishing to join us. I have mentioned in the past the problems associated with a large membership for three rinks. These include: 1. Excessive use of the Green - leading to wear and tear issues. 2. Large pool of players to select from - leading to problems keeping all members satisfied. Should we introduce a upper limit and then have a waiting list for new members? Your views would be much appreciated. B. One other and most probably a more important subject is green management for 2016 and beyond. We have not received any takers for the Green keepers role following Peter's decision to leave the role. Where do we go from here? Bill
And then I get another, they’re debating a little bit, and there doesn’t seem to be complete agreement in next steps…
From: Sheila ********* <s_*********@sky.com> To: Bill ******@btinternet.com <w.******@btinternet.com> Cc: thewrongjohnsilver@googlemail.com, phil******@hotmail.co.uk, peter@********.**********.co.uk, t*@*******.co.uk, ja*andcol********@hotmail.co.uk Subject: Re: ABC Bowls - Section size and Greenkeeper Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2015 12:02:20 +0100 I have been giving this some thought. I don't think that I would be in favour of an upper limit to membership. Obviously at the beginning of the season there is a lot of pressure on the green, but as the season goes on, historically numbers have fallen off. Having insufficient numbers for selection is a bigger problem than having an abundance. The extra revenue could go towards extra green maintenance. Theoretically, using 2 rinks at certain times seems a good idea, but in practical terms it would present problems, such as who would make the judgement. I don't think it would work for individual members making the call as and when. But could we, mid season, switch to 2 rinks as a general rule, and have somebody, such as the green cutter for the week, checking the green sheet and changing settings to 3 if needed. With regard to green keeper, I suggest that we put out a request to all RBL members to see if there is anyone who has an interest/ qualification in green maintenance - you never know!! Alternatively, has Peter given any thought to Mike's suggestion that a team of bowls members carry out the work under Peter's instruction, making use of his acquired knowledge, without him having to spend his time actually doing the work. Sheila
Clearly, I need to get involved and help out (despite my lack of bowls experience). This is about the first time I decided to actually reply as if the email was supposed to have been sent to me. My reply…
Subject: Re: ABC Bowls - Section size and Greenkeeper From: John Silver <thewrongjohnsilver@gmail.com> To: Sheila ********* <s_*********@sky.com> Cc: w.******@btinternet.com, phil******@hotmail.co.uk, peter@*******.**********.co.uk, t*@*******.co.uk, Janet and Colin ****** <janandcolin******@hotmail.co.uk> Bill, Tony, Sheila, and the rest of the team (not you Peter, you're outta here), Thanks for all the fascinating details about the bowling club, and outlining some of the problems and suggested solutions. I for one am riveted, and I agree with Sheila - why limit membership on a sport that's declining? Which prospective youngsters are you hoping to keep out? As for the issue of not satisfying all these new members we're going to have, have you considered converting a couple of rinks over to a more engaging sport? I hear poker is very popular and often televised. If that won't work (too windy, etc.), perhaps a robot wars arena or a skateboard park? If people really aren't that happy and these suggestions don't hit the mark, how about bribing them with sweet treats, like home baked cupcakes? We all know bowlers love a nice snack and those extra pounds don't normally affect gameplay. Finally, to the issue of greenkeepers, have you considered looking into a robot? Like a Roomba, but for greens? If you give Peter a few robots to train, we'll never need him again and he can just go do whatever it is people do when they leave this club. Still, I think it's risky giving Peter a robot army like that, but it would still save money in the long run - assuming he agrees to actually still leave once he's had a taste of that kind of power. As a side note, if the robots don't work out, they can be re-purposed in the new robot wars arena which will replace rinks 4 and 5. This has the advantage of reducing maintenance - just sweep up parts of losing robots every so often. Anyhow, as interesting as all this is, I thought I should let you know you're emailing the wrong John Silver. I'm the overly helpful one that probably doesn't live very near our fantastic sounding club. I wish I did - I like poker, and robots. I'd like to wish you lots of luck with your future planning, and perhaps a group alias for the management group here might be helpful to avoid future typos? Either way, I'm available for consulting should you need further input or helpful ideas about how to proceed with the club. Like these ideas. My rates are competitive. You have my email address. All the best, John 'Not the John Silver You're Looking For' Silver PS: I hope your John Silver is as helpful and as good looking as I am. He probably is with a name like that.
Well, I enjoyed chipping in. I guess helping out is my new thing.