Knutsford Friday Bowling League

Minutes of meeting held Thursday 29th January 2015 at Mere Parish Club

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone and thanked them for turning out on a particularly cold and snowy night

1. Apologies for absence Mike Grocott (Oughtrington) Derek Hurdle (Goostrey) Derek Nicholls (Warford Park) Glenise Barnett & Denis O'Neill (Knutsford) Railway & Warford Park were not represented
2. Minutes of previous meeting held 14th August 2014 were read and accepted. Proposed Molly Sutton (Church Inn) seconded by Arthur Lamb (Goostrey)
3. Matters arising There were no matters arising
4. Officers Reports
   The Chairman & Secretary had nothing to report this being the closed season. The Treasurer presented the annual accounts, which showed a balance in the bank of £263.97. He said that bowling income and expenditure was in line with previous years, but said that Presentation Evening had made a small loss for the first time in many years. Rule 6.3 restricts our bank balance to £200 but he said that any rebate to teams would be small so he will recommend to the AGM that there be no rebate this year. He went on to say that the £200 figure had been in force since the leagues inception and he would probably recommend that this be increased in future years. Alan Edwards from the Victory Hall asked if the loss on Presentation Evening was down to a lower attendance. The Treasurer confirmed that numbers were in fact up on the previous year and in any event the cost of the food for the evening was covered in the admission price. The reduction in income was due to a lower sale of raffle tickets and the increased cost of raffle and competition prizes. These costs are in our control and will be taken into account when fixing the admission prices for this year.
5. Competition Venues
   The Secretary advised the dates and venues for the 2015 competitions and asked the delegates to confirm that their clubs were prepared to host them.
   Individual - Swettenham Bowling Club - Sunday 7th June
   Pairs - Warford Park Bowling Club - Saturday 4th July
   Mixed Pairs - Goostrey Bowling Club - Sunday 30th August
6. Possible Proposals for the AGM

   Last year the team knockout handicap was increased from a margin of two points per team to 4 points per team with the agreement that this should be reviewed for the 2015 season. The Secretary advised the meeting that only one first division side had progressed beyond the second round and maybe the margin was too great and maybe a 3-point differential would be a better handicap.

   Fred Taylor (Oughtrington) suggested that rule 13.2 referring to host club teams being deducted 6 points should be increased to 12 points. The Secretary said that while this was a matter for members to vote on, the incidence of host clubs winning the competition was very rare. The competition started in 1992 and was hosted by the Legh Arms from1992-2007 when the green was lost and was won only twice by a Legh Arms team in that 16 year period. Since 2007 no host club has won the competition.

   At the August meeting last year the Secretary had asked clubs that hadn't entered the Jack Bryning six-a-side Team Knockout if there was a specific reason. One suggestion was that with 12 blocks being played it made it a long night. Fred Taylor (Oughtrington) asked if the matches could be restricted to 6 blocks using extra greens. The Secretary agreed to look at the feasibility.

7. Any Other Business
   

   The Secretary advised the meeting that entries from division two players participating in competitions had not increased despite their personal handicaps being reduced by two points. This rule was passed at last years AGM following complaints from division two players that they "stood no chance" against players from division one. Captains were reminded to promote the competitions to ensure healthy competition.

   The Chairman reminded the meeting of the AGM to be held on Thursday 26th February at 8pm where nominations for the posts of President, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer would be welcome.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm