John Eastwell

John has been a North Herts Bowls club member for over 17 years and has taken on the voluntary roles of Captain, Chairman and now Grounds keeper. In his last role, he spends around 20 hours a week cutting grass, digging and weeding. He was a key member of a group of volunteers who built two new patios around the green, which involved digging up many tons of earth. John was very dedicated and did about 2/3 of the digging along with mixing over ten tons of concrete and a ton of mortar to pave the patio and surrounding walls! Following the patios John has tackled the other area around the green and spends many hours on the upkeep of the flower beds, lawns and other grounds.

He has made a big impact on the facilities at the clubs and has inspired others who wish to see the standards maintained.

For over 10 years he gets up early to prepare the green for that day's play. Very few people have been aware of how it was done. He works tirelessly and has done for many years behind the scenes and without much recognition. This in addition to the time he spends bowling and helping others with coaching.

After all of this, John is now over 80 but is always cheerful and does not get downcast under the most challenging conditions. John recently received the Volunteer of the Year Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Herts Sports Partnership's Service to Sports Awards. CR