1. We now have a Petanque court at the Green. This is strictly for members only and there is an additional fee to contribute towards the cost of building the court. A set of rules for petanque will be posted in the notice board area and we are developing plans for some introductory sessions.

2. The Disabled toilet has now been installed and in addition to its main purpose provides a 'unisex' toilet easily available without the need to enter the Clubhouse.

3. Minutes of the Special General Meeting and Membership Lists will be will be available shortly in the Clubhouse.

(Notes posted by A.H.Extance 09.05.11)

AGM

It is usual for AGM minutes to be circulated with notices for the next AGM but there were decisions that members should know about without waiting until late 2011.

Ø       There will be a special General Meeting before the start of the playing season to decide the subscription level for 2012

Ø       It was decided that the Match fee of £2 would be payable for league games as well as for home friendlies

Ø       It was decided that as from October 2011 a provision for paying subscriptions by some form of Bank Mandate would be established so that subscription payments would be spread out over the year

A Green Committee would be established to understudy the Green Keepers role. A team of 3 members would have the following terms of reference                                                                                                                                                                                                      Terms of Reference Green Committee

• There should be a team of 3 experienced members
• The Green Committee is not expected to undertake 'hands on work' on the green but will supervise the work of club member volunteers and any external contractors as may be employed for specific tasks..
• Their functions would be

1. To prepare a plan for the maintenance of the Green each February
2. Advise the General Committee of the likely level of expense to achieve the plan (1) above
3. Prepare each month a work schedule for the Green volunteer work team
4. Train / advise the volunteers
5. From time to time inspect the Green during the playing season and recommend any remedial action needed.
6. In the event of adverse weather any one member of the Green Committee may as 'green keeper' decide on the playability of the green and any need to use mats
7. Plan the end of seasons work schedule to put the green 'to bed'

This has been seen by Robin Lunn and has his approval.

Ø       It was recommended that the standard of catering at Club games should be revised to establish a more basic provision without cutting back to just Tea & Biscuits.

Ø       We still need a volunteer to take on the role of Competition Secretary - see Jan minutes above

These notes have been prepared by the Chairman.

Key extracts from the January2011 Committee Minutes

Wall - The Chairman reported that the quotes for this work were in the region of £6,000 to £9,000 and were felt to be too high.  It had been decided by the last committee that 'Club volunteers' would dig out the bank and foundations and a bricklayer engaged to build the wall. Volunteers  please contact A.Extance or R.Lunn [ project delayed until late 2011?]

Trophy Cupboard - the Ladies Captain reiterated her wish to have a Trophy Cupboard in place as this had been outstanding for some time. [Acquisition of a Cabinet had been agreed by the last committee] The Chairman asked her to bring back to the meeting some idea of the sizes of trophies to be accommodated.     [ see footnote ]                                                                       

 Disabled Wheelchair - The wheelchair purchase had been made and the equipment had arrived.  There was some debate about the usefulness of having the wheelchair when no definite plans had been made for the provision of a toilet for the disabled.  [ see next minute ]                                                                                                                                                                                 

1/11 - TOILET FOR THE DISABLED                                                                                                                                                                   This matter was discussed in some detail and two options were considered:                                                                                                                                                                          -          Division of the existing male toilet and removal of urinals to create a toilet for the disabled.                                                                                                                                                                               -      The provision of a separate unit to be sited in the area between the steps at the end of the building and the men's changing room.                                                                                                                                                                                                  The Vice-Chairman pointed out that a specialist Unit plumbed to the main drains and to water would not have to be fixed to the main building and would have the benefit of being 'temporary';  Further it would remain an asset of the Club and could be sold at a later date if superseded by a permanent building.                

It was agreed that the possibility of a fixed unit would be investigated by Graham as soon as possible and reported back to the meeting.                            [ GH has identified a suitable unit cost approx £1800 + installation] [ Now installed ]

4/11 CLUB SUBSCRIPTIONS            [ See Key points from AGM above]

The Chairman drew attention to the agreement at the AGM held on 4 December 2010 that there should be a Special Meeting held in the spring of this year to reach agreement on the level of membership subscription.  Attention was drawn to the stipulation in the Constitution that any rise in subscription was to be decided at the AGM which effectively meant the decision was made 12 months before it came into effect.  Discussion centred on the difficulties this presented and the question of whether it might be possible to re-draft the Constitution to enable any agreed rise to be effective in the current year. 

Further questions were raised relating to the timing of the AGM and whether this could be held at the start of the playing season.  Again this was a constitutional question as the financial year end for the Club is 30 September.

It was agreed that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer would arrange to meet with the President on his return from holiday in order to focus on subscriptions and related budget issues.                                                                                                                                                                       Change of Address and Email - the Secretary would like to post notices in the Clubhouse with friendly reminders about the need to notify change of address and also to encourage members to make email addresses available. [ See also item below -an up to date list is being compiled from renewal forms but there is an ongoing need to keep the secretary advised of changes in all contact details]                                                                                                                                                            Membership List - it was important to have a complete and updated list including new members.  The Secretary needed to receive confirmation of fee paid as soon as possible.  The current list needed urgent updating and Graham would let the Secretary have his list of email addresses.                                                                                                                                                                                              Use of Club Facilities - Joe Rigg raised the question of allowing members to hire the Clubhouse for events such as family parties as well as fund-raising events for the Club etc.  No objection was raised to this other than the Insurance Policy would need to be checked.  Joe asked if members could be informed of this in the Newsletter.    [Checks being made but any letting would only be to Members for 'private functions']

Club Competition Secretary - this vacancy had not been filled at the present time.  The Chairman however retained much of the information and forms from last year and would take it forward for the time being. [ Volunteer now appointed ]

Notes prepared by Chairman

2010 Members who have not yet renewed their subscriptions are urged to contact the Club Treasurer A.Sopata 01622 737770 to arrange renewal for 2011.

We are pleased to announce that thanks to the generosity of County Councillor P.Carter, Borough Councillors A.Bradshaw & R.Ash, and of the Bearsted & Thurnham Fair Committee we have been able to place an order for a Bradshaw Bowls Buggy and for next season we will be able to offer coaching and playing opportunities to wheelchair bound persons. More information in the spring.

Mens Players Meeting

The next Mens Players Meeting will be held on Saturday 16th October 2010 at 10:00am (note change of date). The agenda will be as follows :-

1. Apologies for Absence
2. Captains Report
3. Club Competitions
4. Green-keepers Report
5. County and National Competitions
6. Friday Night Triples
7. AOB / Open Forum 

Posted: 18 September 2010

 

National Competitions 2011

Bowls England organise a number of National Club, Singles and Team competitions. Individuals/Teams from the Club are welcome to enter. Entry cards are available in the club pavilion on the notice board next to the kitchen. All entries should be submitted through Mick Palmby (Club KCBA representative).

Click here for more details.

Posted: 17 September 2010

 

Competition Trophies

Members are urgently reminded to return all competition trophies to the clubhouse, as they need to be inscribed for the 2010 winners. The following trophies have still not been returned : -

• 100 UP
• 2 Wood
• Junior Singles
• Junior 100 UP
• Ladies Pairs
• Mixed Pairs
• Ladies Singles Handicap
• Veterans
• New Winners

Posted: 13 September 2010

 

Finals Day - Match Results

The Finals Day Match Results are now available on the website.

Click here for more details.

Posted: 13 September 2010

 

Message From The Chairman - Open Day and Zippers

Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make both Open Day and the 'Zippers' Charity day such successes.

 

On both days there were compliments given by visitors about the Green, about the catering and about the overall organisation. Without exception visitors were saying 'we would like to come back next year' and all who worked behind the scenes or who played - particularly on Zippers day - can feel proud of the contribution made to a weekend which showed the strength of our club as a team. Well done all of you.

Tony Extance - Chairman.

Posted: 27 July 2010

  

Anyone interested in following the County/Nationals matches involving club members can view the results in the County & Nationals section of the website.

Posted: 24 May 2010

Brian Whittle is organising regular Tuesday afternoon roll-ups. Arrive approx 1:15pm for a 1:30pm start. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come along.

Posted: 22 May 2010