Month: March 2026

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