MINUTES 28 NOVEMBER 2025

ABC COMMITTEE MEETING Friday 28th November 2025

Present: Gary Baker (Chair), Trevor Dyson, Simon Biddolph, Peter Lord, and Len Adams.

GB commenced the meeting with a welcome to all the members of the new committee and thanked them for their participation in club matters.

1.        APOLOGIES: Lynn Roberti, Haydn Preece, Brian Kneale, Vera McGee, and Karon Dyson

2.        MINUTES: The minutes of previous meeting 12th October 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair.  The minutes of the AGM 16th November 2025 were read by the committee and, following re-insertion of GB’s statement of thanks to LA and addition of the Green Manager’s Report submitted by HP, approved for putting on the website by SB.

3.        MATTERS ARISING

·      from the previous committee meeting: none

·      From the AGM, the 2025 Constitution will be put onto website by SB; SB to speak to VM about arranging the CPR & DeFib training

4.        SECRETARY’S REPORT (SB) SB thanked LA for his time and efforts with the handover of files and folders etc, and his willingness to assist going forward.

5.        TREASURER’S REPORT (TD) TD is more than happy to provide a written report for each meeting, but the committee felt that a verbal report would suffice going forward unless there was an issue that required more explanation and actioning.  The club is in a healthy financial position, with nearly £7k in the deposit account.

6.        GREEN MANAGER’S REPORT: (HP: copy of report to 2025 AGM) 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.

HP had his due to have a third retina operation on 25th November and reports that he is feeling well and, although currently uncertain about what he can physically do, he will report back to the committee in the New Year.

The committee extended their very best wishes to HP and to his recovery.

7.        SAFEGUARDING & COACHING (GB)

·      Safeguarding: GB explained that a recommendation from the BCGBA is for safeguarding to be a Standing Order on committee minutes, hence the inclusion here. The matter of junior applications has been previously discussed and will be revisited when such an issue arises again.  LA reported that the LV AGM mentioned the possibility of safeguarding audits going forward: GB stated that documentation is all up to date.

·      Coaching: GB and HP are the current certified coaches, and Trish Biddolph is actioning the process to become involved.  Depending on the green condition, the coaching block of four sessions will have to start on Saturday 28th March 2026 and end on Saturday 18th April 2026 as Saturday April 25th is booked for the ‘Champion of Champions’. Appropriate advertising for coaching will occur via Facebook and placing of posters around the village.  GB will revisit the issue of a ‘Head Coach’ to be invited from the small group of vastly experienced players and to assist with an ‘Improvers’ Course’ for current members.

8.        COMPETITIONS (SB/GB)

·      Champion of Champions April 25th 2026 – TD has spoken to the organiser, Gary Burgess, and the format etc. was explained; 32 players of standing to be invited from the various leagues; Singles 21 up; 10am start; KO; all admin to be carried out on the day by Gary Burgess. ABC will not charge a greenage fee but we keep all the proceeds from catering/bar etc etc.. The committee need to nominate a host-club mens’ and ladies’ champion each to be included within the 32 field.  GB to discuss the issue of licensing law etc with HP and relevant bodies so that options can be explored going forward.

·      SB to create a calendar of Mens’ and Mixed Competitions in 2026

·      LI and KD to speak at the earliest opportunity with all lady members about the feasibility and details of Ladies’ Competitions for 2026 and report back to this committee with their findings.

9.        GENERAL BUSINESS

·      SB to confirm dates for Mixed Team Captains’ Meeting and Team Selection Meeting in the Main Club diary, post on the Website , distribute the squad sheets, and notify the Captains. (Immediately following the meeting, the dates were confirmed with Andy Barlow as Tuesday 9th December 730pm, and Tuesday 27th January 2026 730pm)

10.  AOB

·      TD attended the Parks AGM and the position of ABC and other clubs in the Monday evening league moving to the Maghull League was understood by the Parks committee which retains the usual managerial structure.

·      PL floated the idea of Keypads to replace the current key process: after discussion, it was agreed to not pursue that matter at this time as a new padlock and several keys have only been bought recently; however, it remains an option going forward would the need arise.

DATE of NEXT MEETING:  Skittles Lounge 4pm Friday 9th January 2026

Signed as a true & correct record ………………………………………………….  Chair    Date………………….