MINUTES 17th APRIL 2026
ABC COMMITTEE MEETING Friday 17th April 2026
Present: Gary Baker (Chair), Trevor Dyson, Simon Biddolph, Karen Dyson, Peter Lord, Brian Kneale, Haydn Preece, Lynn Roberti, and Vera McGee
1. APOLOGIES: Len Adams
2. MINUTES: The minutes of previous meeting Friday 13th March 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
· 26.02.06-6 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 GB reported that the main club officers had issues with our proposed plan to obtain our own Premises Licence and a deal was explored and proposed to ensure the bowls section received a proportion of the profit from sales of drinks: this was accepted by the committee and seen as vital for our long-term relationship and further development of communication. GB agreed to take on the role of ‘barman’ and manage the stock within the club.
· Confirmed with Longton BC as Sunday 2nd August for Day Out, and costs to be received BK
· Arrange for LV squad members to assist at ‘neutral’ fixtures 23rd June and 4th August with £20 greenage per match HP
4. SECRETARY’S REPORT (SB)
· Membership currently stands at 98 subscriptions paid and a reminder is to be sent out by SB
· Successful mixed social bowling day and Round Robin: organiser rota arranged for latter events.
5. TREASURER’S REPORT (TD)
· Current finances stand at £14k, with Sport England payment of £3750 due in soon.
· Expenditures likely to be £7.5k for toilets refurbishment, £3-4k to main club
· Income expected over year from events etc which projects to a healthy £6k in account at end of 2026
· Project Comfort work will commence around beginning of May and a Portaloo will be installed during the programme of work.
6. GREEN MANAGER’S REPORT: (HP)
· The target was met to open on 28th March and it was a great day, and the next target to commence league bowling was also met.
· Green is showing a bit of wear but this will be patch-seeded; water system turn-on is being booked in.
· New mower is doing well.
· Preparation for Champion of champions will be to cut Thursday, Friday & Saturday mornings.
7. SAFEGUARDING & COACHING (GB/KD)
Coaching:
· Current course has gone well with 8 participants and one late joiner.
· HP said the advertising for the course was poor and it was agreed to look at this issue for the 2027 sessions.
· John Clark (JC) has agreed to run an improver course on 2nd May and GB has received expressions of interest; may require another course on 9th if numbers warrant.
· Trish Biddolph has started her coaching training and will attend the Bacup course soon.
Safeguarding:
· KD is not impressed with the communication from the body, and no courses appear to be available online.
8. COMPETITIONS (SB/GB)
Champion of Champions April 25th 2026
A. Andy Barlow will be providing alcohol sales under a Temporary Event Licence.
B. A number of ladies have volunteered to provide refreshments and to serve teas, coffees, and soft drinks throughout the day. Rota has been arranged.
C. BBQ to include bacon rolls first thing, and sausages, burgers, and hot-dogs to be served in afternoon.
D. 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.
E. Extension lead to be explored by SB
Internal Competitions
Easter Cup day went well: winner was Tony Boardman. Ladies to be encouraged to sign up for their specific competitions.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
Jack and Equipment Management
The issue with use and management of match jacks was discussed and it was agreed to allocate a specific cupboard with a lock SB
10. AOB
A. Main Club: barrier has been fixed, the ramp removed, and a new franchise partnership headed by Matty Williams with Andy Barlow has been established.
B. The padlocks are troublesome and a combination keypad for the gate is to be explored SB
C. An external socket for mains electricity is to be explored PL
D. TD is withdrawing from Aughton A and Bob Fairhurst will continue as Captain; TD is withdrawing from Westhead captaincy and a new captain will be needed from early June so team members will be approached TD
E. A choice of new shirts for men in either maroon, blue, or white will be organised HP
DATE of NEXT MEETING: Bowls Clubhouse Friday 1015am 29th May 2026
Signed as a true & correct record …………………………………………………. Chair
Date……………………….