GREEN OPENING

The green will be open from Saturday 28th March. Members are reminded that 2026 subscriptions should be paid before using the green – please see below for details of how to pay.

CLUB EVENTS AND COMPETITIONS

The first club event of the 2026 season will be an Easter Round Robin on Sunday 5th April, starting at 12 noon. As well as being open to all members, this will be the first of what we hope will be a series of events to which we invite friends from the Churchtown Conservative Club.

Sunday 19th April – Spring Pairs. This will be a random doubles event, with pairings drawn out on the day. A plate competition will be held. Registration from 11.45 am for a 12 noon start.

Sunday 10th May – Rose Bowl. This will be a singles handicap, with a plate competition for players losing in their first game. Registration from 11.45 am for a 12 noon start.

We are currently working on dates for the rest of the Club’s 2026 programme of competitions but would like to involve more members in planning and running our events. If any member(s) would like to help out by running one of the competitions or has any ideas for a different format, please contact : –

Mike Milne (07752352065 / michael.milne1966@outlook.com )

SOCIAL ROUND ROBINS

Peter and Lynne Smith look forward to welcoming you to the Round Robins which will commence on Tuesday the 7^th of Apri

Please note the cost will be £3 for the session

The entries for a round robin will be a maximum of 28 people. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment. However, we have never reached this number of players, but we must have a maximum level

.OPEN DOUBLES 2026 – BERNARD O’MALLEY TROPHY

sponsored by Birkdale Insurance Group

We now have a full entry for our annual open doubles competition, held in honour of our late Honorary Vice-President and generous supporter of the club, Mr. Bernard O’Malley. However, if anyone wishes to go on a reserve list for this competition, please contact Chris Harding or Mike Milne.

The competition is being held on Sunday 26th April and help will be required on the day with marking and measuring. Also, if anyone is available to assist with making hot drinks and selling pre-prepared sandwiches, this would be greatly appreciated. For further information, please speak to Chris or Mike.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Many thanks to those who have already paid their subscriptions for the coming season. As a lot of work is involved in recording and banking members’ subscriptions, it would be greatly appreciated if payments could be made before the bowling season starts. Also, as the bank has introduced charges, which are higher for cash or cheque transactions, bank transfers are the preferred method of payment.

The Annual General Meeting set the following subscription rates for the 2026 season :-  

Standard membership subscription – £35.00

Team players’ subscription – £55.00

Payment can be made online directly to the Club’s bank account :

Sort Code : 30 97 88    Account number : 01007849

If paying by bank transfer, please notify Mike Milne by text (07752352065) or email (michael.milne1966@outlook.com)

Alternatively, subscriptions can be sent to Mike Milne (Treasurer) at the following address :-

Mike Milne, 20 Coudray Road, Southport PR9 9NL

AWARDS EVENING

Thank you to all those who attended the Club’s Awards Evening on Saturday, held to celebrate our members’ achievements from the 2025 season. 

Chairman Chris Harding was once again compere for the evening, announcing the winners and runners-up in our club competitions and team merits. The prizes were presented by our Vice-Chairman, Jason Chapman. 

The TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD this year deservedly went to the Buzzards. Captained by Debbie Barnes, the team had an outstanding season, winning both the 2^nd Division Championship and Knockout Cup in the Southport Ladies’ Afternoon League. 

The CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD was announced to be Jim Halsall. As well as having another outstanding season on the bowling green, including winning three team merit awards and two club competitions, Jim took over the captaincy of the Ospreys in the Burscough League and did an excellent job. 

The awards were followed by a buffet, prepared by Gill from the Conservative Club and a quiz, organised by the Chairman, with Jason Chapman again being our Quiz Master. 

We wish to thank the following : –

The Officers and Committee of the Churchtown Conservative Club, for kindly allowing us to use their facilities. 

Gill, the Club Steward, for preparing the buffet and also to Maralyn for her hard work behind the bar.

Jon Roberts, for contributing towards the buffet.

Fergal and Lil for helping to collect money and sell raffle tickets. 

Finally, thank to those members and friends who supported the evening by attending or providing raffles prizes. We look forward to seeing everyone again when the green opens and wish all our members an enjoyable season of bowling in 2026.

GREEN CLEAN UP

I am looking to organise a green clean up On Saturday 14^th of March, Sunday 15^th of March and Monday the 16^th of March

9;30 until late afternoon.

I would hope one of these days would be suitable for you to lend us same time and labour to clean up the green surrounds from its winter debris

I will be hiring a skip and employing a contractor to tackle the garden, nettles, and other overgrown plants.

It’s your club and we need YOUR HELP

OPEN DOUBLES 2026 – BERNARD O’MALLEY TROPHY

Entries are still being taken for our annual open doubles competition, held in honour of our late Honorary Vice-President and generous supporter of the club, Mr. Bernard O’Malley.

The competition will be held on Sunday 26th April and is again being generously sponsored by Birkdale Insurance Group.

The entry fee is £20 per pair with starting times at 10.00 am, 10.45 am, 11.30 am and 12.15 pm.

Total prize money will be £900.00, paid out as follows :-

Winners – £320.00 ;     Runners-Up – £160.00

Semi-Finalists – £90.00 ;     Quarter-Finalists – £60.00

To enter please contact Chris Harding (07761733024) or Mike Milne (07752352065)

All games will be 21 up, with 3 on the card.

CLUB COMPETITIONS

The first internal club competition of the season will take place on Sunday 19th April, when we will stage the Spring Pairs. This will be a random doubles event, with pairings drawn out on the day. To enter, please register at the green by 11.45 am, so that the draw can be made in time for a prompt 12 noon start.

The first individual competition of the season will be the Rose Bowl, to be held on Sunday 10th May. This will be a singles handicap, with a plate competition for players losing in their first game. The starting time will again be 12 noon, with registration from 11.45 am.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Many thanks to those who have already paid their subscriptions for the coming season. A lot of work is involved in recording and banking members’ subscriptions, so it would be greatly appreciated if payments could be made before the bowling season starts. Also, as the bank has introduced charges, which are higher for cash or cheque transactions, bank transfers are the preferred method of payment.

The Annual General Meeting set the following subscription rates for the 2026 season :-  

Standard membership subscription – £35.00

Team players’ subscription – £55.00

Payment can be made online directly to the Club’s bank account :

Sort Code : 30 97 88    Account number : 01007849

If paying by bank transfer, please notify Mike Milne by text (07752352065)

or email (michael.milne1966@outlook.com)

Alternatively, subscriptions can be sent to Mike Milne (Treasurer) at the following address :-

Mike Milne, 20 Coudray Road, Southport PR9 9NL

AWARDS EVENING

The Club will be holding an Awards Evening on Saturday 7th March, when we will recognise those members who were successful in the 2025 season.

The event will take place at the Churchtown Conservative Club, starting at 7.30 pm. 

The evening will also include a buffet, quiz, and raffle.

Tickets are priced at just £5 and should be ordered as soon as possible from any committee member.

Alternatively reply to this email or text me on 07977500131

Donations of raffle prizes on the night will be very welcome.

GREEN CLEAN UP

I am looking to organise a green clean up On Saturday 14^th of March, Sunday 15^th of March and Monday the 16^th of March

9;30 until late afternoon.

I would hope one of these days would be suitable for you to lend us same time and labour to clean up the green surrounds from its winter debris

I will be hiring a skip and employing a contractor to tackle the garden, nettles, and other overgrown plants.

It’s your club and we need YOUR HELP

AWARDS EVENING

The Club will be holding an Awards Evening on Saturday 7th March, when we will recognise those members who were successful in the 2025 season. The event will take place at the Churchtown Conservative Club, starting at 7.30 pm. The evening will also include a buffet, quiz and raffle. Tickets are priced at just £5 and should be ordered as soon as possible from any committee member. Donations of raffle prizes on the night will be very welcome.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Many thanks to all those members who attended the Club’s Annual General Meeting, held at the Churchtown Conservative Club. The Committee would also like to thank the Conservative Club for the use of their facilities.

At the meeting the Chairman, Chris Harding, thanked Bill Bloor for the work he has done over the past two years as the Club’s Vice-President, in addition to his role as Project Manager. During this time, Bill oversaw various jobs at the Club and ran a very successful Away Day last season to the Black Horse in Croston. Bill has decided to stand down from the Committee and there remains a vacancy to be filled. If anyone is interested in taken on a committee role, please speak to any Club Officer for more information.

After successfully captaining two of our afternoon teams, George Hitchmough has retired from running the Merlins and the Hawks. We are pleased that Dave White has volunteered to captain the Hawks in the Aughton & District Senior Citizens’ League on Wednesday afternoons. This league is open to any bowler aged 55 and over. We require additional players to make up the Hawks’ squad, so if anyone is interested in joining this team, please contact Dave or any Club Officer as soon as possible.

Many thanks to Janice Hobson and Noreen Lewis for again auditing the accounts this year. Janice and Noreen have undertaken this role for several years but have indicated that they wish to step down. At the AGM, Terry Corfield and Sue Davies were elected as the new Auditors and we thank them for accepting these positions.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

The Annual General Meeting set the following subscription rates for the 2026 season :-  

Standard membership subscription – £35.00

Team players’ subscription – £55.00

Payment can be made online directly to the Club’s bank account :

Sort Code : 30 97 88    Account number : 01007849

If paying by bank transfer, please notify Mike Milne by text (07752352065) or email (michaelmilne66@outlook.com)

Alternatively, subscriptions can be sent to Mike Milne (Treasurer) at the following address :- Mike Milne, 20 Coudray Road, Southport PR9 9NL

HESKETH ARMS BOWLING CLUB

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Monday the 2^nd of February @ Churchtown Conservative Club 8.00pm

The 2026 AGM Agenda and the minutes of the 2025 AGM are attached to this email

2025 AWARDS EVENING

Saturday the 7^th Match 2026 @ Churchtown Conservative Club 7.30pm

£5 inclusive of buffet.

NEWSLETTER – JANUARY 2026

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Members are reminded that the Club’s Annual General Meeting will be held at the Churchtown Conservative Club on Monday 2nd February, starting at 8.00 pm.

Any propositions must be submitted in writing to the Secretary by Monday 19th January.

LEAGUE TEAMS – PLAYERS NEEDED

The Club currently fields teams in seven local leagues, which are as follows : –

Afternoon Leagues

Southport & District Veterans’ League – games played on a Monday afternoon and open to all bowlers aged 55 and over.

Aughton & District Senior Citizens’ League – games played on a Wednesday afternoon and open to all bowlers aged 55 and over.

Southport Ladies’ Afternoon League – games played on Thursday afternoons and open to female bowlers of any age.

Evening Leagues – all evening leagues are open to any registered club member

Maghull & District Bowling League – games are played on a Monday evening.

Southport LV Bowling League – games played on Tuesday evenings.

Southport & District Parks Bowling League – games played on Thursdays.

Burscough & Lathom Bowling League – this is a Friday evening league.

Most of our teams would welcome some new recruits and we ask that if any member hasn’t tried league bowling before that they consider giving it a go. Or if anyone currently plays for a team, they may wish to join an additional team and maybe get to play on some different greens.

The teams in most need of extra players are our afternoon teams. So, if any member is interested in playing on a Monday or a Wednesday afternoon, please speak to a member of the Committee as soon as possible. The Ladies’ team, captained by Debbie Barnes, had a very successful season in 2025 but also needs a couple of extra players. Anyone interested should contact Debbie, they would be made very welcome.

If possible, we would also like to enter a second team into the Southport LV League, which would be aimed primarily at bowlers new to league bowling, with one or two more experienced players to provide guidance and support.

The Hesketh Arms’ league teams have enjoyed considerable success over the last fifteen years and numerous bowlers who had never played league matches previously have made huge contributions to this success. Playing for a team can be a sociable and rewarding way of enjoying the game, so we would urge all our members to help in keeping our league teams flourishing. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in joining one of our teams.  

BLOWICK CUP – CHAMPIONS OF CHAMPIONS 2026

The Club will be staging the Blowick Cup for the sixth time in 2026. This is a Champion of Champions event for those members who won a club competition or team merit during the previous season.  A date has yet to be chosen but we hope to hold it as early as possible at the start of the season.

The qualifiers for the Blowick Cup 2026 are :-

Debbie Barnes           Buzzards Merit

Sue Davies                  Last Chance Cup

Andy Draper               Vultures Merit ; Owls Merit

Darren Edgerley         Vice-Presidents Trophy

Steve Goulding           Merlins Merit

Jim Halsall                   Championship Cup ; Last Chance Chance Cup ; Eagles Merit ; Ospreys Merit ; Kestrels Merit

Chris Harding              Chairman’s Shield

Alan Hatton                President’s Cup

Alan Lloyd                  Hobbies Merit

Pat McArthur             Sparrowhawks Merit

John McCabe              Spring Pairs

Steve McManus         Spring Pairs

Mike Milne                 Rose Bowl ; Blowick Cup ; Chairman’s Shield ; Kites Merit

Chris Porter                Vice-Presidents Trophy

Peter Smith                Hawks Merit

Fergal Wright        Coronation Cup

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Catherall on 23rd December. As a valued and long-serving member of the club, John dedicated many years to playing in the Southport LV League. Among his accomplishments was winning the Presidents Cup in 2010. He was highly regarded for his integrity and was well respected within the bowling community.

In his later years, although unable to bowl, John remained an active supporter and frequently attended matches at the club.

Funeral Arrangements

The funeral service for John Catherall will take place at Southport Crematorium on Tuesday, 13th January 2026, at 13:00.

SAVE THE DATES

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Monday the 2^nd of February @ Churchtown Conservative Club 8.00pm

2025 AWARDS EVENING

Saturday the 7^th Match 2026 @ Churchtown Conservative Club 7.30pm

AGM Agenda and further details of Awards Night early in 2026

AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

BURSCOUGH LEAGUE PRESENTATION

The Burscough & Lathom Bowling League held its Presentation Meeting recently and Andy Draper was presented with his award for winning the 1^st Division Merit. Andy is pictured being presented with the shield by League President, Duncan Crabtree .