Petanque Wallingford

Cheryl thought it would be good idea if we had a sale of stuff on this day, so we decided to have a Pop Up Shop. She had bought some fancy bobbly wool in France which she made up into scarves and I had all sorts of crocheted items: tiny crochet-decorated boxes, small angels for tree tops, bigger angels with crochet skirts for table decorations, cards, jewels, crochet blankets (aka afghans!), crochet coasters, dreamcatchers, walnut shell containers with glass drop earrings inside,  handmade marbled boxes, etc!!
     Just a way of doing a bit of fundraising while we had the members all together – there were about 24 people who played petanque first then they came into the pavilion (frozen) and bought Christmas presents and stocking fillers before a finger buffet lunch. We made £175 in half an hour, and took 2 orders too! So a happy time was had by all.  There are still a few things left if anyone wants them. And don't forget, Thérèse has (coin) cards for your special birthdays and anniversaries (40, 50, 60, 70 or 80! All proceeds for club funds.
 

Not a lot was on the agenda but some 20 people turned out. The Executive Members remain the same: President: Gerry, Secretary: Loren, Treasurer: Adrian, and the Committee for 2017 is Alec, Peter, Julian, Trevor, Thérèse (who is still Fixtures Secretary) and Moiya (new on the committee this year). If anyone has anything to say, these are the people to say it to.
For your information:
     Loren is the club contact and as such receives communications from other clubs in our region and he also looks after the Licence Holders (Regional matches - matches with other clubs which all require licences, but also Open Days at other clubs, which do not.
     Thérèse looks after play on our Boulodrome – club matches, Singles, Doubles, Triples, Memorial Trophy, Select Pairs and the Melee Shield. About the Select Pairs – the format for this will be different this year because it was so difficult to get everyone to play their games last year. Keep you eye on the notice board.
     A new Fixtures List will be drawn up soon and will live in the cabinet as usual.
Most notably we have three groups of WI members who want to come and play in the summer. Cholsey WI came in 2015 with 12 people, they had so much fun they came with 30-odd this year and word has spread, so Wallingford and Brightwell want to come too! We also have two groups who come during the summer from Style Acre – people with learning difficulties, and disabled people from Wallingford Support Group. The 41 Club plays every Wednesday morning.

Guy Fawkes night the 5th November – and the TVPA Presentation Dinner at the Holiday Inn, Maidenhead. The Red Kites were due for a mention, as the Runners Up in the Sunday League, and we hoped to have a good representation at the Dinner but as it coincided with Fireworks, this hope was dashed, so G M and T represented the Club. The Red Kites duly had their moment of glory – everyone who played for the Kites got an award and we brought them back for everyone. Gerry & Mark had played for the Burnham Bowlers, winners of the Tuesday Leagues, and they would have got their award if the plaques had arrived on time. They will have to wait a while. Moiya and Chris received awards for being Runners Up in the Mixed Pairs Plate competition. Well done all. PW were runners up this time round but who knows what will happen next year! We can but live in hope …
 
And a surprise – T was presented with a lovely bouquet of flowers for being Team Manager of the Challenge Group at the Inter-Regionals at Hayling Island. Thank you for rewarding me for doing my job! (and surviving the rain).