MINUTES 13th MARCH 2026
ABC COMMITTEE MEETING Friday 13th March 2026
Present: Gary Baker (Chair), Trevor Dyson, Simon Biddolph, Karen Dyson, Peter Lord, Len Adams, Lynn Roberti, and Vera McGee
1. APOLOGIES: Brian Kneale, Haydn Preece
2. MINUTES: The minutes of previous meeting Friday 6th February 2026 were approved and signed by the Chair.
3. MATTERS ARISING and ONGOING ACTION POINTS
· 25.11.28-3 Defibrillator & CPR training: Declan Barry will host a session for £50; VM & SB to liaise with organiser and arrange date, venue, and publicity for the session. VM to check with host about rumours of new defibrillator. SB to check with Andy Barlow about booking system process beyond 5 days VM & SB
· 26.01.09-8B Purchase BBQ gas and check for leaks SB & PL
· 26.02.06-6 Discuss feasibility of Tea composter and compost heap with maintenance team HP & BK
· 26.02.06-7B Give forms to those members who have not yet signed SB
· 26.02.06-8B Application for Premises License SB & TD
· Liaise with Longton BC re new date for August Day Out BK
4. SECRETARY’S REPORT (SB)
· Maghull league has accepted application for two teams from club
· All fixtures, except Burscough league, have been published by the leagues and are now in our website calendar with paper copies pinned to noticeboard in clubhouse.
· Website hyperlinks have been updated for the 2026 season.
· Newsletter sent to all members via email and visible on our website.
5. TREASURER’S REPORT (TD)
· Registration fees of £776 have been paid to all nine leagues in which we play
· New 6-burner Gas BBQ bought for £287
· Lawn mower and cassette service £1548
· Income from Gift aid £621
· Income from Skittles £40 upto end of December
· To date, 44 members have paid their full subs and 2 have paid the social subs
· Crowdfunding has 19 qualifying pledges so far; need 25 or more
6. GREEN MANAGER’S REPORT: (HP)
· The green is on schedule for opening on Saturday March 21st. It is in a very healthy condition and we are now cutting twice a week. The green has been aerated with our sorrel cartridge regularly. We have had lawn sand applied and spring feed. The newly acquired winter Ransome mower has performed very well and will be a real asset. Today (Friday) weather permitting we will have weed/ feed applied. The only down side is we are suffering some bird or fox damage. We have various deterrents on the green but are still getting some damage which is being repaired regularly. The main area of concern is the top right hand corner. The application of lawn sand has reduced worm casts but they are still prevalent and daily swishing/ switching once green opens will be necessary. The green will be cut on the Thursday and Friday before opening by Mike Bond so should be in good early season playing condition. It will be on the slow side until the soil base dries up. We need warmth and sun!
7. SAFEGUARDING & COACHING (GB/KD)
Coaching:
· Sanny McCarter is willing to continue as contact for the public coaching course and has been contacted by 7 members of the public so far.
· John Clark (JC) had agreed to a couple of dates but these may now have to change due to unavailability of GB who needs to be present for insurance purposes. GB to contact JC GB
Safeguarding:
· New bulletin will be publicised in April.
· KD is booked to do her online course.
8. COMPETITIONS (SB/GB)
Champion of Champions April 25th 2026
A. Ann Lowe and Bill Makin are our in-house Champions.
B. Andy Barlow will be providing alcohol sales under a Temporary Event Licence.
C. A number of ladies have volunteered to provide refreshments and to serve teas, coffees, and soft drinks throughout the day. Rota has been arranged.
D. BBQ to include bacon rolls first thing, and sausages, burgers, and hot-dogs to be served in afternoon.
E. We will be running a raffle on the day and are seeking donations to raise extra funds. Please leave donations in the clubhouse or contact Haydn Preece 07768000818 to pick up.
F. Large quantity of Plates & Napkins to be bought for club KD
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
A. Green opening Saturday 21st March: LA as President to roll the first woods to open the green for the 2026 season and members to bowl socially thereafter. Refreshments have been organised by the ladies.
B. Handicap allocation: the same scheme as for 2025 was approved by the committee for use this season. Tina Walmsley to be asked by SB to validate the handicaps for ladies SB
C. Round Robins and Mixed Social Bowling: It was agreed by the committee to continue with the Sunday afternoon organised Round Robins as per the 2025 season and to advertise the Tuesday afternoon green availability as turn up and play Mixed Social Bowling except when the green is occupied by competitions by the ladies.
D. LV commitments: the new LV league on Tuesday evenings has introduced a few Wednesday evening fixtures to accommodate the three teams at Falkland Road; fortunately, our green is not booked for any Wednesday fixtures throughout the entire season, so clashes are avoided. Only a few players in the LV squad play for the Wednesday afternoon Aughton league will be affected by the potential for playing twice in one day.
The Captain (LA) will be unavailable for a portion of the season and HP has agreed to stand as vice-Captain.
A few dates have been set by the LV league for neutral games where help from our members will be needed for opening up, swishing, servings teas & coffees etc: HP will arrange for helpers on the 7th April fixture (as none of the Ainsdale LV squad is playing that night), and also on 23rd June and 4Th August (when Ainsdale LV squad are playing away on both occasions) HP
SB to quiz Gary Burgess, LV league secretary, about process for ?greenage/refreshment fees from players at ‘neutral’ fixtures SB
E. Skittles has been a success during the close season and will be continued for the 26/27 close season.
10. AOB None.
DATE of NEXT MEETING: Bowls Clubhouse Friday 1015am 17th April 2026
Signed as a true & correct record …………………………………………………. Chair
Date……………………….