Blakedown Short Mat Bowls club meets in the
Parish Rooms every Thursday
from 7.30pm until
10.00pm.
The club owns 3 mats, which accommodates
a full club membership of 24 players.
The
club currently enjoys a full membership,
but if you would like to enquire further
then send an e-mail to the Chairman, Geoff
Elwell geoff-h@hotmail.co.uk
AGM REPORT 2007/8
DATE 31st JULY 2008
Numbers present 24
Apologies for absence Janet, Graham, Marnie
Minutes from the previous AGM read and passed. These will be displayed on the Notice Board.
REPORTS
Chairman’s Report
The Chairman expressed concern about the
ageing of club members - we cannot turn the clock back.
There are more ladies than men in the membership
which leaves the setting up of the mats and
the putting
away to just one or two men. Only Terry and Richard are usually available
at the end of games to put mats,
blocks and score boards away. Perhaps it will be better when John comes
back in the winter.
There are also people leaving at half time
but this is another sign of the ageing membership.
However, Pat and Tony Oakey have joined us
from Gilt Edge and Malcolm Saunders joins
us whenever he is
here from his Holiday home
in Spain, having discovered the club on the
Internet.
We should advertise for younger members in
local newspapers and magazines.
Younger members are urgently needed to take
the club into the future.
An EGM was convened in January 2008 to try
to find a new Treasurer.
Brenda Harding had taken on the role in 2006
on the understanding she would serve for
12 months in which time
a permanent Treasurer
would be found. This did not happen and so Brenda reluctantly
stayed in position for a
second year but
decided she definitely could not continue
in the post any longer.
It was at the EGM that the proposal to discontinue
weekly payments of £2 was made and a subscription
system
would be introduced. This was adopted
unanimously.
We lost only two people since then, Catherine
Ballantyne and Mac Day, though M
David Jones Trophy, we had to try and make
sure this competition did not drag on as
it has been doing over past
seasons and an
explanation as to how it is arranged was
needed. Everybody’s name is put in to the original
draw - Brenda wondered if we could opt out before
the draw was made. One suggestion to deal with absences
was
to increase ends to possibly 9. Rounds also have been suggested with a time
factor giving a deadline when
they would
be played by. This will be looked at before start of next
competition.
Because Malcolm spends half his time in Spain
and John only plays in winter (his summer’s
are spent playing outdoor bowls)
it was thought
that some accommodation could be made towards
their subscription. However, Geoff Hayward thought
that if you
are a member of a club you pay the full subscription.
Malcolm said he agreed, and would pay the
annual subscription. A vote on this issue
was agreed by Club members.
Subscription fees agreed Full year £70.00 6 months £36.00 3 months £18.00
Membership card in preparation.
For visitors on the odd occasion the charge will be £2. Juniors £1. Name to be entered in little book to be provided.
The meeting was closed at 8.10 pm allowing us time for a tea and coffee break followed by a few ends of bowls.
ac’s decision was only based on an issue he had with short mat bowls.
Personal thanks to Chris, Gisela and Kath for their support
on refreshments and to Brenda for her time
as Treasurer.
To Sheila as Secretary and John, Gilt Edge
League Captain.
The David Jones trophy was played for with winners being Anne Rose & Dennis Deeley.
The Christmas Party was held at Blakedown
Golf Club and was another successful evening
with a negotiated
(by Geoff) at a lower cost
than the previous year. Everybody was again impressed and
We won the Parish Games at Gilt Edge for
the third year running with Upper Arley second
and Rock came third after
a thrilling finish
with the Quiz.
Treasurer’s Report
Mary Steven’s Lottery was set up by Dennis, after the Club agreed the £100.00 investment and we have 3 x £10 wins.
There was a discrepancy on the accounts as
presented, this was clarified by Brenda confirming
that we may have
paid for four quarters,
and due to the difference with the Parish
Room sending their invoice one month into
our last year,
this comment resolved the
issue.
Adjustment to Christmas dinner cost will
be presented at Christmas, should the need
arise.
If we are short of funds we can decide on
the appropriate amount at the time.
Christmas card arrangement realised £79 and the balance to £100 was made up from club funds and sent to Kemp House.
Proposal to accept accounts by - John Beckley – seconded by Joan Billingham. Agreed by all
In the League we once again had a successful
season, finishing 4th out of 16 teams, compared with 3rd last season.
We achieved 60% of the basic points available,
compared with a target of 50% and 65% in
the previous season of 14 teams.
I don’t anticipate bettering these results
next time as we probably have lost Mac Day
but we will do our best.
We did this with 10 registered players so
we will probably be down to 9 and if anyone
would like to have a go, please
have a word
with either myself or Geoff.
We also maintained our membership of the
county premier and ‘A|’ sides and had some
success in the county and
Gilt Edge league
competitions, particularly Trish and Terry
and one or two others.
It has to be said, however, that we are not
getting any younger both in the team and
the club generally and we need to
initiate
and encourage some younger players if we
are to secure the long term future of the
club.
Our team in the Wyre Forest village games
was unbeaten in the short mat bowls event
and did our part in helping
Churchill and
Blakedown win the trophy again this year. All this improves the standard of lay in
the club as the skill
and experience of the
better players rubs off.
Patricia Clifford was proposed as Treasurer by Pat Oakey and seconded by John Beckley Accepted by all.
Chairman Geoff Elwell
Vice Chairman Richard Rose
Secretary Sheila Booth
Club Member Rep Dennis Deeley
Team Captain John Beckley
Proposed by - Terry Clifford, seconded by Tony Oakey. Agreed by all. Above details for the Bank.
David Jones Trophy, we had to try and make
sure this competition did not drag on as
it has been doing over past seasons
and an
explanation as to how it is arranged was
needed. Everybody’s name is put in to the original
draw -
Brenda wondered if we could opt out before
the draw was made. One suggestion to deal with absences was
to
increase ends to possibly 9. Rounds also have been suggested with a time
factor giving a deadline when they would
be played by.
This will be looked at before start of next
competition.
Because Malcolm spends half his time in Spain
and John only plays in winter (his summer’s
are spent playing outdoor bowls)
it was thought
that some accommodation could be made towards
their subscription. However, Geoff Hayward thought that
if you
are a member of a club you pay the full subscription. Malcolm said he agreed, and would pay the
annual subscription.
A vote on this issue
was agreed by Club members.
Subscription fees agreed Full year £70.00 6 months £36.00 3 months £18.00
Membership card in preparation.
For visitors on the odd occasion the charge will be £2. Juniors £1. Name to be entered in little book to be provided.
The meeting was closed at 8.10 pm allowing us time for a tea and coffee break followed by a few ends of bowls.
Each evening is very popular with at least
20 Club Members attending. A weekly sub of
£1.50 helps pay for the hire of the Parish
Rooms and coffee and biscuits.
The Club plays in the Guilt Edge League,
and is shown here with the Consolation Shield.
In the team, from left to right, were Bill,
Teddy, John, Geoff, Trish, Gisela and Kath
For further information please send a note
to the Webster