COWPLAIN BOWLING CLUB
Minutes of Annual General Meeting held in the Cowplain Activity Centre
Sunday 7th February 2016 at 10.15a.m.
Chairperson: Fred Mant: Club President.
Committee members in attendance:
Honor Plowright – Club/Ladies Captain
Peter Parry –Gent’s Captain
Pearl Gurd – Club/Ladies Secretary
Al Joyner – Membership Secretary
Jill Giles – Match Secretary
Betty Horn – Social Secretary
Diana Cooper – Ladies Vice-Captain
Trevor Kelly – Gent’s Vice-Captain
Simon Calverley – Gent’s Secretary
Barry Dryer – Competition Secretary
Brian Horn – Club Steward
Adrian Dyer - Green Co-ordinator
72 other Club members were in attendance.
The President welcomed everyone to the meeting and informed the members of a change, following
publication, to the calling notice - Item 10 Election of Officers- Having withdrawn his nomination John
Morgan is no longer seeking election as Treasurer.
1.
Apologies for absence were received from:
George Abraham; Linda Abraham-Keyford; David Boltwood; Judy and Graham Derrett; Pete
Doran; Bob Gooch; Ian Hutchinson; Maureen James; Gary King; Patricia and Jeffrey Mann;
Irene and Neil McDonald; John Morgan; Daniel Palmer; David Wildman.
2.
Minutes of Annual General Meeting Sunday 24th November 2013
The minutes were proposed as a true record of the proceedings by Graham King, and seconded by
Honor Plowright and signed by the President.
3.
Obituaries:
Beryl Wright-Boulton, William Hellier, Iris Shipton, Ron Chase, Bob Maple (Former Members);
John Betteridge, Geoff Chowney (Current Members).
A minutes silence in respect was observed.
4.
Matters arising:
There were none.
5.
5.1
Management and Officers' reports: (as previously circulated)
Management report:
Nothing to add to President’s report.
5.2
Club/Ladies Secretary’s report: Nothing to add.
5.3
Gent’s Captain’s report:
Nothing to add.
5.4
Club/Ladies' Captain's report:
Nothing to add.
5.5
Competition Secretary's report: Nothing to add.
5.6
Match Secretary's report:
5.7
Treasurer's report: (in absentia) Nothing to add from Treasurer.
Following a request prior to item 9 David Palmer as Accounts Checker gave a brief overview of the Club
Accounts. The accounts were proposed for acceptance by Peter Crowley and seconded by Graham King.
Nothing to add.
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5.8
Membership Secretary’s report: Nothing to add.
5.9
Social Secretary's report: The End of Season Dinner, dance and Presentation Evening is being organised
for Friday 25th November 2016 at Waterlooville Golf Club. The cost, not having been finalised, will be
advised when available.
5.10 Management and Officers’ reports: (not previously circulated)
Green Co-ordinator: Adrian thanked those members, who had given of their time and effort, for their
valuable help in maintaining the green throughout the summer and winter seasons. At present four teams
alternate on a weekly basis and Adrian is seeking to increase this to six by requesting more volunteers to
come forward please!
Project Leader for the All-Weather Project- Peter Crowley:
 As the Club approaches the end of the first year’s bowling on an all-weather surface, Peter reflected
on the experiences that proved to be part of the “learning curve”: - the quantity of leaves and twigs
blown in by storms in both the early and late seasons, the work involved in keeping foxes out of the
grounds, the little “presents” left by the birds and the damage from occasional vandalism. The dry
vacuum cleaner not being useable when the green is wet, an alternative “Billy Goat” machine is being
trialled with a view to purchasing at approx. £1,000.
 During the year several visits made to the Club from Clubs interested in all-weather surfaces. These
include clubs from Gosport, Southampton, Guildford and Swanage.
 The average cost to the Club of maintaining the grass green was approx. £9,500 per annum, whereas,
the cost in 2015 of necessary chemicals amounted to £500. The savings being made possible through
the much appreciated services of the volunteers in the green maintenance team.
 Other costly and essential equipment- blowers, chemical sprayer, and vacuum were purchased during
the year by means of generous donations to the Club.
 Dates to note:

The green will be changed to N/S ready for the summer season on Monday March 7th.

The green will be closed on 6th, 7th and 8th April – Dales will be carrying out maintenance,
followed by inspection by CST Global ensuring that the green is compliant with World Bowls
standards.
 The carpet has a seven year guarantee and properly maintained will be playable on for many years.
£3,500 a year is currently being put aside to cover the cost when replacement is required. Correct
maintenance will extend the life of the surface and should be a priority for all members.
6.
7.
Club Subscriptions for 2016/2017:
The annual subscription for 2016/2017 will increase by £1 to £75, the winter membership to increase by
£1 to £36 in line with inflation as agreed at the 2012 AGM. Other fees to remain as listed and published in
2015
Vote of thanks to retiring officers: – Clive Lambshead
In acknowledging the contribution made by the retiring officers, a vote of thanks was made to Honor
Plowright (Club/Ladies Captain), Peter Parry (Gent’s Captain), Trevor Kelly (Gent’s Vice-Captain), Diana
Cooper(Ladies Vice-Captain), John Morgan (Treasurer).
8.
Appointment of scrutineers:
Graham King, Reg Atkins, John Rees and Bill Roberts were appointed as checkers in the event of any
votes taken.
9.
Proposals:
Proposals from Committee:
 Increase in 2016 internal summer competition entry fees. – following discussion it was decided that
due to lack of sufficient information a vote could not be taken.
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 Addition to Constitution Rule 20 (Club Policies) to read: - “The Club, having a designated Child
Protection Officer, accepts its legal and moral obligation to exercise its duty of care to protect all
children and vulnerable adults participating in its activities. It is also committed to ensuring that all
members and visitors are treated with respect and dignity.” Carried unanimously.
 Amendment to Rule 12.2 second sentence (Subscriptions):- “from 2017 an average of the R.P.I. value
from April to October will be used.” Carried by majority, one vote against.
Proposals from the Membership:
 Addition to Constitution Rule 7.2.1 (Elections):- “When there are two or more nominations for gender
specific appointments then only members of that particular gender may cast a vote. These
appointments are Ladies or Gents Captain, Ladies or Gents Vice-Captain, Ladies or Gents Secretary.”
Following discussion - carried unanimously.
 The dates for each round of the Club Competitions are strictly adhered to etc.: - following discussion
the statement “NO extension should be given” to be amended to read “No extension should be given
without the express permission of the Competition Secretary.” Carried unanimously.
10. Election of Officers:
10.1 Club President: Fred Mant
10.2 Gentlemen's section: the following were duly elected:
Captain: Bryan Franklin; Vice-Captain: Peter Crowley; Secretary: Simon Calverley.
10.3 Ladies' section: the following were duly elected:
Captain: Diana Cooper (see item 11); Vice-Captain: Jane Franklin; Secretary: Pearl Gurd.
10.4 General Committee: the following were duly elected:
Treasurer: David Palmer; Match Secretary: Jill Giles; Club Steward: Brian Horn;
Social Secretary: Betty Horn; Membership Secretary: Alan Joyner; Competitions Secretary: Barry Dryer.
10.5. Bryan Franklin was unopposed and elected as Club Captain.
Pearl Gurd was unopposed and elected as Club Secretary.
10.6 Accounts Examiners: To be confirmed
11.
Results of Ballots:
Ballot for Ladies Captain: Clive Lambshead 8: Diana Cooper 20.
Diana Cooper duly elected as Ladies Captain.
Comments from members:
 In response to a query regarding limiting membership, the committee acknowledged that the increase
in membership during 2015 had been significant. Currently there are no plans to cease recruiting new
members, however to enable the new members to receive coaching and settle into the Club, an Open
day for 2016 is not being arranged. To accommodate the growing number of members additional
teams have been entered into the various league competitions.
 Following a recommendation a box will be available in the Clubhouse for members’ suggestions on
improving the Club and these will be discussed at future committee meetings.
13.
Date of the next Annual General Meeting
The next A.G.M. will be held on Sunday, 12th February 2017 commencing at 10.15 a.m.; the venue to be
advised.
There being no further business, the Chairperson thanked the members for attending and closed the
meeting at 11.35 a.m.
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