Many years ago, in 1978, my wife and I were pleased to host the New Zealand Lawn Bowls Commonwealth Games Team at a welcoming BBQ at our home in Edmonton, Alberta.

Later, I was to develop a business relationship with organizations such as Landcare Research and other Government of New Zealand Departments and Agencies in the fields such as workplace safety and waste management. These relationships were striking in terms of generosity in providing information, in the professionalism of individuals and in the practicality and relevance of the solutions recommended.

In a visit two years ago on a retirement vacation I was able to show my wife many parts of New Zealand and we did visit the Lawn Bowls Greens near the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi. We are planning to return possibly next year and spend more time in places that we particularly liked.

Even if we did not have this long term, positive and enduring relationship it would be very hard indeed to watch the images from Christchurch and to listen to the media commentaries without shock and dismay.

You mention on your web site that many greens in the Christchurch area have had severe damage and no doubt this applies to the club houses and other buildings as well. Also mentioned is the sad fact that many bowlers in the Christchurch area have lost their houses, are without power and water and facing a lot of stress and uncertainty in the time ahead - your thoughts are with them all.

Please be assured that we are also thinking of your members and their communities including those that are directly affected by the earthquake and those others that are affected but in more indirect ways.

'We in the UK woke up to the tragic news this morning and all our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Christchurch, especially those who have lost loved ones or experienced serious injury and losses to property and livelihoods.

Please pass on all our thoughts and best wishes to all our friends and colleagues in the bowls community who may have been affected by these horrifying events.

With warmest regards and sympathies
Gary