PRESIDENTS NEWSLETTER 2025

11 Jun 2025

Dear Members
It is a great honour and my personal pleasure to be writing this letter as your
recently elected President for the forthcoming year 2025-2026. I would first of all
like to thank the members for their warm support and encouragement since our
AGM in April. I look forward to working with my committee for the next 12
months ensuring our great club is fit for the immediate future and our facilities
remain pride of place in the North East for all our members.
While I must take this opportunity to thank past President Bill Menzies and his
committee for their work over the past 12 months, I am delighted to announce the
newly elected committee for the forthcoming year -  
Sandy Elrick, who remains our Gents SIBA delegate, has also been elected as
Vice President. I am delighted that Sandy has taken on this role as he has a
number of years experience having been a prior President of the club and he will
be invaluable as part of the team.
David Hay, remains as our Treasurer. David continues to keep our finances in
order while ensuring we source the best deals for all our energy needs. David
also does an excellent job ordering and expediting all our procurement needs and
this year has turned his hand to landscape gardening supported by other
committee members.
Raymond Brown, remains our Match Secretary. An extremely challenging role,
Raymond somehow manages to keep us all organised and updates us regularly
on the implementation of games and results both locally and Nationally. This is
an extremely challenging role which requires his undoubted experience and
dedication.
Alison Hay, remains as Club Secretary. Alison continues to do a great job in
keeping our Management System up to date. Also keeping our committee in
order on a regular basis so that the Administration side the club functions as
smoothly as possible.
Bill Menzies, remains on the committee for another year. His passion for the
club and the sport of bowling is unparalleled and Bill remains a valuable asset
going forward. Bill, supported by Harold Noble will continue to entertain you and

shout the Bingo numbers on the first Friday of each month as well as continuing
with the 50/50 draw at half time. 
Edna Yule, also remains on the Committee this year, once again looking after
our Entertainment needs each month. Edna has an infectious appetite for a party
which she arranges on a regular basis. More of that below.
George Kinghorn, remains on the committee for another year assisting us with
General Maintenance activities, and organising cleaning rotas in order to keep
the club looking its best. Last season George took care of those annoying little
tasks that no one else could or wanted to handle! 
Our new additional Committee members this year are as follows - 
Alan Gladstone, who will be first point of contact for our Maintenance needs in
the Club.
Carol Gladstone, who will take over the role of Child Protection Officer on behalf
the club in order to ensure we remain compliant with current legislation. Carol,
has a personal desire to be more involved in coaching, and we fully support this
and wish her well as she navigates through the rigorous training. 
We are delighted to welcome Alan and Carol to the Committee and wish them the
very best for the year ahead.
Last but not least Mary Brown, has once again been elected to the role of the
Ladies SIBA delegate. Her passion and dedication to the role is very much
appreciated by the members in their quest for National silverware at various
venues.
And lastly to our team Captains this past year, Mary Menzies, Bill Menzies and
David Hay. It’s a difficult task at the best of times but you all did the Club proud
and we wish this years’ Captains the very best in their endeavours for ongoing
success. 
Moving on, and raising a recurring theme, we are always looking for more
Volunteers to assist us in running the club. My thanks to all the current
volunteers who support us with HAT’s; Bar Duty; Cleaning and Maintenance of
the facility. Without you our club would not function. If you can possibly give up a
couple of hours a month in any way possible, please contact a committee
member who will arrange training. The more we have the less the burden on
the current team. Your club needs you!
Still on the topic of Volunteers, I wonder how many of our bowlers realise the time
Jake Gall donates to us through the season. Jake tirelessly hoovers our carpet
each week to ensure it’s in tip top condition, every 4 weeks during the summer.
Thanks again Jake, this does not go unnoticed. Diane is wondering when you
are going to start doing that at home! 
Also to Alan Paterson who without any hesitation steps up and helps us out with
bar duties, maintenance work etc at a moment’s notice. Both Jake and Alan
deserve much more recognition than I can possibly give them. 
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our Umpires this past year. Alex
Duthie, Kevin Menzies, Bill Menzies all played their part and it’s great to see more
members going through Umpire training, good luck and many thanks to all for
giving up their spare time.

Club Opening hours from 1st May are as follows –
- Monday - CLOSED with exception of snooker in evening 18.30pm to
20.30pm
- Tuesday - HAT 11:45am to 13:45pm and 13:45pm to 15:45pm
- Wednesday - CLOSED
- Thursday - CLOSED
- Friday - HAT 11:45am to 13:45pm and 13:45pm to 15:45pm

Open again - 18:30pm to CLOSING         

- Saturday - 18.00 – CLOSING
- Sunday - CLOSED
Annual Fees Proposed and Accepted at AGM
Joining Fee (1st year only) - £10.00
Full Member - £70.00 per annum
Associate Member - £30.00 per annum
Junior Member - £25.00 per annum
Juvenile Member - £10.00 per annum
Associate Members and Guests to the Snooker, shall pay at the Bar £4.00
prior to going upstairs
Annual Fee Collection
Annual Fee Collection day to take place Sunday 20th July 2025  - 10:00am to
4:00pm
Committee Members will accept payment of all Membership Fees,
Locker Fees, 50/50 Club Fees, also any Scratch/Walk Over Games from
season 24/25
Please take the opportunity at the same time, to enter your names on the
Competition Sheets for the Season
I wish all the players, Ladies, Gents and Seniors, who have qualified to
represent Buchan Indoor Bowling Club in all the National Competitions, every
success in their games and I know that you will all handle yourselves with
grace and dignity to uphold the name of BIBC. 
This past year while there were many noticeable performances, at Arbroath in
the Nationals Pairs we had Robert Marshall and Craig Dinnes who played a
great match narrowly losing in the semi final. Then we have Raymond Brown
who played really well to get through each of the rounds and reach the semi
final stage of the Senior Singles playing some terrific bowls. Hopefully we see
Raymond gets back playing with us later this year.
Exciting was an understatement and well done to all the Buchan members
who travelled down to support the guys, everyone did the club proud. We
should also recognise the efforts of Jamie Lane this past year, Jamie should
be congratulated for his performances not only for Buchan but for his selection
and success for the Scotland squad. We are very proud of Jamie, the club will
continue to support him in his endeavours. One day we will all be down at
Potters cheering him on!

League Competitions and HAT Nights will commence on Monday 8 th
September 2025. Hours being 9:45am; 11:45am; 13:45pm; 6:30pm and
8:30pm
Social Events:
Bingo – first Friday of every month (continuous throughout the year)
Entertainment:
21st t June 2025 - Caledonia (Adam Lawrence)
2 nd August 2025 - The Malpaso Gang
October (TBC) ??????
1 st November 2025 - Marilyn Childs Duncan
13 th December 2025 - Boozy Bingo Night
31 st December 2025 - Firelight (Hogmanay Party)
(All entertainment nights to commence at 8:30pm)
Caterer in place for the season 2025/2026 is Eilidh Davidson (Country
Kitchen). Eilidh has been covering all Bowling events, Bingo Suppers, some
of the music nights where Suppers are available (watch out for advertising
around the Club or Facebook for this. Also there is the ongoing facility to
book Private Functions and Funeral Teas.
Finally, can I take this opportunity for us all to take a moment and remember
those, directly and indirectly associated with the Club who we have sadly lost
this year. We all know someone who has been affected this year our hearts
go out to you all. To my fellow members, please spare some time to sit and
spend time with friends and colleagues. You will never truly know how much
the loss of a loved one truly affects you until it is close to home. Making
yourself available to talk and sometimes just listen to those affected can never
be underestimated.
Take care all, Best Wishes
Yours in Sport

Graham Thomson
President