AGM MINUTES NOVEMBER 2025
| Ainsdale Bowling Club |
A.G.M NOVEMBER 16th November 2025
MINUTES
The Chair, Karen Dyson, opened the meeting at 7.30pm.
Attendance Register 25: C & L Adams, G. Baker, J & P. Lord, K & T Dyson, D. Suthern, T & G Walmsley,
P. White, Lynn Robertii, V & K Priestner, E. Burgess, A. Holmes, B. Baylis, L & T Evason, A. Wilson, V. McGee, B. Kneale, R. Fairhurst, P. Collins, S. Biddolph.
Apologies received from 11: J & G Clark, E & S Johnston, P. Lally, S. McCarter, H. Russell, S. Dunwoodie,
B. Davis, T. Biddolph and H. Preece.
In Memoriam
KD requested those present to stand for a few moments silence to remember those members of the club who had sadly passed away during the year. Ralph Prescott, Norman Burrows, Norman Tague, Eddie Gaul,
Judith Clark, Sheila Patrick, Maureen Taylor, Jean Johnson, John Deakin, and Ken Lowe.
Minutes of AGM 2024
The minutes had been approved by the committee and made available to all members via the Club website.
They were approved unanimously and duly signed as a correct record by the Chair.
Matters Arising – None
Chairmans Report
KD then gave her report in which she thanked the committee members, the maintenance working party and the coaching team for their support and valuable assistance throughout the year.
Particular thanks went to Haydn Preece for his excellent work once again on the green and also to the
hard-working gardening team for their superb work on the surrounds which resulted in Ainsdale Bowling Club being listed in the 2025 RHS North West in Bloom Neighbourhood awards with ‘Outstanding’ and given special congratulations for achieving the highest mark on our first entry in the category.
Team reports were then given for the 14 league teams which represented the club in the various Leagues this year, unfortunately one less than 2024 due to the unfortunate loss of the Ormskirk ‘B’ team.
Winners of the various competitions run throughout the season were announced and congratulations were given with particular thanks for the hard work of those members who organised the events.
She reported on the successful social events throughout the year including the Mixed Day Out, the BBQ Round Robin events, the Merit Comps, the Festival of Light to inaugurate the new floodlights and of course the Annual Presentation Evening at the Dolce Vita restaurant which was enjoyed by all who attended. A final big thank you was given to the newly appointed cleaner, Donna, for keeping the clubhouse and toilet facilities in great condition throughout the season. She will again be appointed for the 2026 season.
Treasurers Report
TD reported a challenging year with internet banking being introduced for the first time resulting in easier payment of accounts etc. and the use of the local Post Office for incidental cash transactions.
Extraordinary expenditure during the year was due to extensive storm damage repairs, the re-commissioning of the irrigation system following several pipe failures and also the new floodlight installation for which a substantial grant had been received. Insurance and Affiliation costs had also risen due in part to a new levy on clubs imposed by the BCGBA.
Although the year had been challenging the club was satisfactorily solvent showing a small increase in the balance sheet from the 2024 accounts.
Thanks were given to the auditor, Steve Morrison for his assistance in preparing the accounts.
The accounts were approved unanimously.
Green Manager’s Report
What a great summer! We had a quick green for the majority of the summer. Especially May and July with the dry summer creating conditions conducive to pace. Home performances for league teams indicated this gave us a good advantage that players exploited.
After experimenting due to the conditions we found ourselves in, the green will need to remain greener next season if we get similar conditions as the price we pay is a danger of a return of dry patches areas. So I will have to water a little more if he have dry/hot conditions. Mowing at the correct level will retain the pace. This has been discussed by the committee.
This time last year I emphasised the need to swish/switch before play. For those who find the switches too long we purchased coconut brushes. Please remember to switch before matches and before play in mornings if you physically can.
A big thanks to Gwen Clarke in getting an inter town ladies match Preston v Chorley on our green. We had excellent feedback overall. In recognition of the greens improvement we have been asked to host the Southport Champions of Champions on Saturday April 25th 2026. It offers us a great opportunity to showcase our club and make some money via drinks/ catering/ raffle/ barbecue. It will require a collective effort from members to maximise the day.
The club owes a great deal of gratitude to Mike Bond who mows the green three times a week during the summer and continues during the winter. We are in negotiations with Andrew Church ( Lancashire Turf) regarding a winter mower as our Dennis mower tends to block up with softer ground and really we are using a Rolls Royce when we don’t need to. The cost of the mower is the region of £500 and the service £400.
With our new floodlights thanks to Trevor Dyson’s endeavours and Jim Alldritt’s gardening team achieving the prestigious top award Outstanding in our Ainsdale in Bloom category we have wonderful surroundings to play our bowls.
I am due to have a third retina operation on November 25th and will know how much in the future I can lift/shift and do manual work after the operation which may determine what I can physically do. I don’t know currently. I will report back to the committee in the New Year.
Election of Officers for 2026
· Before the election of officers for 2026, the Secretary gave a sincere vote of thanks to Karen Dyson for the excellent service she had given the club during the three years she has been in the Chair. She had been fully involved in every aspect of the club’s management during her time in office and without doubt will be an extremely hard act to follow.
· The following elections and appointments were made.
President. Len Adams
Chair. Gary Baker – Committee nomination
Vice-Chair. Brian Kneale – new appointment
Secretary. Simon Biddolph – Committee nomination
Treasurer. Trevor Dyson – re-elected
Safeguarding Officers. Karen Dyson & Gary Baker – re-elected
Green Manager. Haydn Preece – re-elected
Main Club Representative. Gary Baker
Committee Members. Vera McGee & Lynn Roberti – re-elected
Peter Lord – new appointment
Ex-Officio Member. Karen Dyson (Retiring Chair)
Auditor. Stephen Morrison– re-elected
The first action by the new chair, Gary Baker, after taking the position for the rest of the meeting was to state a most heartfelt vote of thanks to the outgoing Secretary, Len Adams, for his long tenure and excellent service to the Club…..loud applause ensued.
General Business
· One proposition had been received for consideration by the meeting.
To amend the Constitution replacing Clause 7 to read: The Officers of the club, with the exception of the President, shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office until the next AGM. Officers will be eligible for re-election an unlimited number of times. The retiring Chair shall be an ex-officio member of the Committee for one year following retirement from that office.
· The proposal was approved unanimously.
Competitions
Various competition & social events in 2026 requiring organisers.
Easter Cup – Simon Biddolph and Gary Baker
Chairman’s Pairs Cup – Simon Biddolph and Gary Baker
President’s Cup – Len Adams
Merit Comps – Simon Biddolph and Gary Baker
Social Events
Mixed Day Out – Brian Kneale
Annual Dinner – Karen Dyson and Vera McGee
AOB
· Simon Biddolph raised the issue of creating a fair handicap system to be applied to various competitions.
He reported that the ladies will be submitting their own appropriate handicaps to assist his compilation.
· Peter Collins asked if suitable defibrillator training could be arranged. Vera McGee to check if previous presenter was still available.
· Tina Walmsley raised the fact that Ladies Social Bowling on a Tuesday had been poorly attended.
Agreed that Tuesday afternoon should, in future, be open to all members except on the occasions when Ladies Competitions are scheduled.
There being no further business the meeting was closed by the Chair, Gary Baker, at 9.05 pm.
Signed as a correct record. ……………………………………………………………….. Chair Date. …….…………………………