MINUTES 4th SEPTEMBER 2026

ABC COMMITTEE MEETING Friday 4th September  2026 (26.09.04)

Present: Gary Baker (Chair), Trevor Dyson, Simon Biddolph, Karen Dyson, Haydn Preece, Lynn Roberti, Len Adams, and Vera McGee

1.        APOLOGIES: Brian Kneale, Peter Lord

2.        MINUTES: The minutes of previous meeting 10th July 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 & SB

·      26.02.06-6          Discuss feasibility of Tea composter and compost heap with maintenance team HP & BK

·      26.02.06-7B       Give signed forms to Main Club Secretary in due course SB

4.        SECRETARY’S REPORT (SB)

·      Membership forms will be given to the two people taking part in the private coaching session this Sunday morning: no club fees required until the end of the season.

5.        TREASURER’S REPORT (TD)

·      Current finances stand at £11k

·      Bills for Presentation Evening, Green work etc to be paid

·      Projecting £5k balance at year end

·      Gift Aid money due

·      Defibrillator at £500 to be paid for at start of next season

·      New composite shed costs to be established

Discussion was held concerning the Club Funding Options and it was agreed to favour Option 3 where the section pays an annual negotiated fee based on the Main Club income deficit ensuring all sections contribute equally including House. (This arrangement is used in other multi-sports setting organisations)

Treasurer to attend next Main Club meeting and also to produce a paper to present to Bowling Club members for consideration at our AGM TD

AGM date and booking to be explored SB

6.        GREEN MANAGER’S REPORT: (HP)

·      Green Report: Autumn renovations have begun in earnest. Top dressing will be more soil- based going forward. Green to close as planned in early October after a Burscough League neutral fixture is held on Friday 2nd October.  No current plan to open the green over the closed season.

7.        SAFEGUARDING & COACHING (GB/KD)

Coaching:

·      Tricia Biddolph was in attendance to take part in discussion around Coaching Sessions in 2027 and beyond.  Committee accepted the principle of establishing a programme of coaching/drill sessions for members on Wednesday evenings.

Action plan to be devised HP

Safeguarding:

·      Nothing to report.

8.        COMPETITIONS (SB/GB)

·      Internal Competitions: all complete and trophies to be taken for engraving SB

·      A reminder was given that relevant Captains are responsible for  clubhouse and green-side management at neutral-ground matches on our green.

·      Floodlit Trophy on Wednesday 30th September to be arranged by Chair & President, and communicated to the members by the Secretary GB, LA, SB

9.        MAIN CLUB UPDATE (GB)

·      A good relationship is developing with Matty; he has been most supportive at post-match drinks.

·      Premises licence is to be formalised.

10.  GENERAL BUSINESS

A.       Longton Day Sunday 8th August 2027  BK has booked the date: no lunch-time food but there will be an evening meal.

B.       Presentation Evening – 76 covers booked with 3 still to pay.  The arrangement for drinks means that cash payments by tables will be the best option, although the venue is considering our club’s offer of paying for an extra member of staff to attend to the bar and take payments for drinks a the evening proceeds. Awaiting the outcome and KD to inform SB for communication to members KD

The committee agreed to the proposal from HP that Mike Bond and his wife be invited as non-paying guests the evening SB

11.     AOB

A.       LA said that he felt he should resign as President but, after extensive discourse with the whole committee, he decided to meet with the Chair before coming to a final decision LA & GB

B.       Skittles and Carpet Bowls in Main club from  October onwards: it was agreed that this had been a success in the closed season 25-26 and should be repeated as long as a suitable number of volunteers sign up to a rota.  Rota to be arranged in same way as Round Robin SB

C.      Floodlights need to be adjusted before next season as some have moved in high winds since their installation TD

D.      Grateful appreciation is noted to Peter Lord for his installation of the rack for swishers.

DATE of NEXT MEETING:  Bowls Clubhouse Friday 1015am 23rd October 2026

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

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