Hesketh Arms Bowling Club

CORONATION CUP – SINGLES HANDICAP

Under the BCGBA / HM Govt. guidelines issued on the 26^th March, we are limited to the number of people allowed at the green at any one time. This means we are unable to run competitions in the usual way for the time being. However, we propose to run the Coronation Cup as we did last season, with members arranging their own games. The following details will apply :-

·  Entries to be submitted by Friday 9^th April.

·  Entries to be sent to Mike Milne (07752352065 / michaelmilne66@outlook.com)

·  The draw will be made on Saturday 10^th April and published as soon as possible after completion.

·  Each round of the competition to be completed by the date provided.

·  It will be the responsibility of the first named player to contact their opponent to arrange a mutually convenient time to play the match and to book a time slot using the online booking system.

·  Games to be played using own jack(s) and mat(s).

·  Games up to the semi-finals to be scored by the players themselves (no markers).

·  Players to agree to a procedure to determine the counting bowl where a measure would normally be used. For example, an independent judge could be asked to decide. If no neutral person is present and an agreement cannot be reached, the end should be replayed.

·  Results to be sent to Mike Milne (07752352065 / michaelmilne66@outlook.com) as soon as possible after the completion of the match.

·  Failure to fulfil a fixture before the deadline set could result in both players being scratched from the competition. The decision of the competition organisers will be final.

·  ALL SOCIAL DISTANCING AND HYGIENE ADVICE RELATING TO COVID-19 TO BE ADHERED TO AT ALL TIMES.

·  N.B. Only members who have paid their 2021 subscription will be permitted entry into this competition.

Subscriptions can be paid as follows :-

(a) Cheque made payable to Hesketh Arms Bowling Club can be sent to Mike Milne 20 Coudray Road, Southport, PR9 9NL.

(b) Bank Transfer:- Hesketh Arms Bowling Club Account number 01007849 Sort Code 30-97-88. Please text Mike Milne on 07752352065 to confirm payment or email secretary@hesketharmsbowlingclub.co.uk.

At the present time, we are asking for members to pay the basic subscription of £25. An additional £20 will required as and when league bowling commences.

FUTURE CLUB COMPETITIONS

We are planning to run a full programme of club competitions during the 2021 season and hope to be able to run them on a one-day basis from May, subject to the guidance in place at the time allowing us to do so. Full details and dates will be notified as soon as possible.

We are now able to OPEN the green, albeit on a reduced use basis. Under the BCGBA and HM Government guidelines. Gate Entry Code *****. Please ensure gate is closed when you leave

The green will reopen on Good Friday the 2^nd April at 12pm. The use of the green is for members only and must be booked on the club web site.

BOOKING SYSTEM will be available from Tuesday 30th March 2021 Green use will be restricted to 55 minutes per booking, thus allowing 5 minutes to clear the green for the next booking.

PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE TO YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS AND DO NOT OVERBOOK IN ORDER TO GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE OF PLAYING

The booking is for 2 people only. Strictly no spectators. MAXIMUM NUNBER ON THE GREEN is 6

The booking is subject to the BCGBA and government Covid 19 guidelines.

Booking can be made by paid up members only.

Anyone booking who is not a paid up member will have their booking cancelled.

The green will be available from 12pm until 6.00pm on weekdays and 11am to 7pm on Weekends. 3 Jacks in total (6PEOPLE). The use of the clubhouse is not permitted. The toilet will be open and is now secured by a KEYCODE Lock, Entry Code *****

Under the guidelines we have to keep a record of who used the green and when.

The system will be modified as and when restrictions are eased within any guidelines received from BCGBA and the government.

***** Entry Codes have been emailed to members

If you are using a smart phone or tablet please view web site in Landscape mode for the best results.

The method of booking is as follows:-

Click on Booking Link (GREEN BOOKING) Right hand side of web page

Choose desired day and time, Click BOOK NOW

Click on Cart / Basket Icon (top right hand corner of screen)

Enter Full Name of Both Bowlers, Post Code, Mobile Phone & email address in details requested Click Buy All details must be filled in or the booking will not be accepted.

I WOULD REMIND YOU THAT YOU NEED TO FILL IN BOTH BOWLERS NAMES TO COMPLY WITH BCGBA GUILDLINES. If you are playing alone you must enter your name in both bowlers boxes.

You will receive an email confirming your booking.

The green will be policed on a regular basis to ensure all the guidelines are being adhered to.

For members who do not have internet access I can only suggest at this time that you play with a member who is able to access the internet booking system.

Should you wish to pay your 2021 social subscription of £25.00

Methods of Payment

(a)  Cheque payable to Hesketh Arms Bowling Club, Post to Mike Milne 20 Coudray Road, Southport, PR9 9NL

(b) Bank Transfer:- Hesketh Arms Bowling Club Account number 01007849 Sort Code 30-97-88 Please text Mike Milne on 07752352065 to confirm payment or email secretary@hesketharmsbowlingclub.co.uk to confirm payment

LEAGUE BOWLING

We have no firm dates when League bowling will commence, we do know that most leagues are currently formulating plans for League bowling. If you have previously played in a league team your team captain will be contacting you in due course. We need to be able to inform the leagues if we will be entering a team in the respective Leagues. If you wish to try league bowling please contact any committee member who will be able to assist you with joining a team.

ROUND ROBINS

In respect of our popular Round Robins on a Tuesday and Friday mornings we will be in touch when these are allowed to recommence 

Thanks to everyone who found time to help with the green clean up.

All done now thanks to those people.

Just waiting now on opening information from BCGBA and HM Government.

We’ll be bowling again soon !

HESKETH ARMS BOWLING CLUB

NEWSLETTER – FEBRUARY 2021

SUBSCRIPTIONS

The Annual General Meeting has set the following subscription rates for the 2021 season :-

Full Membership – £45.00

Basic / Social Membership – £25.00

Full Membership applies to those members playing for one or more league team and includes the payment of league fees. Until we know when league bowling is permitted, we ask that all members pay the basic subscription of £25.00.

Social Membership is available to members who wish to play on a casual basis.

Any member who paid the full membership fee in 2020 is entitled to claim a £20 credit against this year’s subscription.

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

Sort Code : 30 97 88   Account Number : 01007849

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

Mike Milne,

20 Coudray Road,

Southport

PR9 9NL

CLUB COMPETITIONS

In normal circumstances, we would by now have set and advertised dates for our internal club competitions. However, due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, we thought it better to wait and see if any restrictions are still in place at the beginning of the season. You can rest assured that as soon as regulations allow, we will be organising a full programme of events, as we were able to do in 2020, despite a delayed start.

As many of you will be aware, we conducted a survey on our club competitions towards the end of last year and we will take into account as many of the comments, ideas and suggestions as possible. It may be that some of the changes we intend to make as a result of the survey will not take effect until 2022.

Our draft, outline programme for 2021, with all dates to be arranged, is as follows :-

Coronation Cup (Singles Handicap to run throughout the season, with a finals day in August or September)

Champion of Champions

Spring Pairs (Random Pairs, with plate)

Rose Bowl (Singles Handicap, with plate)

Vice-Presidents Pairs (Non-Random Pairs, no plate)

Ladies’ Championship (Round Robin Format, no plate)

Championship Cup (Men’s Singles, played off scratch with no plate)

Chairman’s Shield (Non-Random Pairs, no plate)

President’s Cup (Singles Handicap, with plate)

Club Triples

Floodlit Trophy (Non-Random Pairs, no plate)

Last Chance Cup (Random Pairs, with plate)

In December last year, the Club acquired a cup belonging to the old Blowick Hotel Bowling Club (the Blowick Hotel pub was situated where the Thatch and Thistle now stands). We have decided to use this cup in 2021 for a Champion of Champions competition. All the winners of the Club’s competitions and merit winners from 2020 will be invited to play for the “Blowick Cup”.

The Competition Survey showed that there was a demand for random pairs, so if HM Govt. / BCGBA guidelines allow, we will run two of our pairs competitions on this basis. We have provisionally planned to run plates at four of the scheduled competitions in response to requests from members.

Please note that all the above is a draft programme, which is subject to change. Full details and dates will be notified as soon as we are able to confirm them.

2020 AWARDS

As we have been unable to hold an awards evening this year, we hope to hold a small, informal presentation of prizes for the 2020 season at the green, prior to one of our early club events. Ideally, this would take place on the day of the Champion of Champions as most of last season’s winners are likely to be present at that competition. This is, of course, conditional on any regulations which are in place at the time.

2021 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (VIRTUAL)

Dear member,

Following the email sent out on the 1^st of February regarding the Virtual AGM.

We have not received any objections therefore all items contained in that document are considered to have been approved by the membership.

We would therefore request that payment of your 2021 subscription is now made.

SUBSCRIPTIONS for 2021

The subscriptions for 2021 will be £25.00 per member.

If league bowling commences we would require a further £20.00 from the member.

If you paid your full subscription of £45.00 in 2020 you will be entitled to use the £20 towards the 2021 subscription.

If you do not wish to take advantage of this please pay as normal.

Subscriptions can be paid by:-

Bank Transfer to Lloyds Bank

Account Number 01007849 Sort Code 309788

Please text Mike Milne on 07752352065 to let him know you have paid,

By Cheque posted to Mike Milne 20 Coudray Road Southport PR9 9NL

Dear member,

We hope you are well and managing in these difficult times.

2021 is progressing and your club are hoping we will be allowed to provide social and team bowling for you in the coming year.

Normally we would be moving towards our AGM. But due to the restrictions we will be unable to hold our normal AGM or Awards evening.

The management committee met over the internet on the 15^th of January and agreed to hold a virtual AGM.

To facilitate this the details of that Virtual AGM will be conducted by email which has been sent to all email addresses.

If you do not have email please contact us and we will try and provide a hard copy.

We would ask that you approve all the items included in the document.

Should you have any major disagreements with the document we would request you contact us by email or telephone.

If we do not receive multiple disagreements we will proceed as though all items have been approved,

We will provide social bowling when allowed.

We will have a full programme of Members Competitions, to commence when allowed.

We will have league bowling when allowed.

We would request you pay your 2021 Subs as normal.

As you are all aware the green still requires its maintenance over the autumn and winter. The good news is that the green is responding well and looking in top condition. (We have again received support from Bernard O’Malley and Nationwide Produce with this cost).

Unfortunately, the local vandals have again paid us a visit and managed to knock over the fence adjacent to the pub car park. We have repaired the fence on a temporary basis and are awaiting quotations for a new fence.

We will therefore be reliant upon members paying their subscriptions as soon as possible. You have always been very loyal and supportive members and we look forward to that continuing.

We would like to wish all members a HAPPY NEW YEAR and we hope that everyone can stay safe and healthy.

We would like to thank all members who supported us throughout 2020, You supported the club both financially and by entering our competitions as well as using the green booking system.

We would hope that we will be able to return to bowling normally in the coming year, but rest assured your committee will endeavour to provide bowling in a safe environment for everyone.

We will be in touch regarding the holding of a club AGM and the payment of subscriptions as soon as we have formulated a way to proceed.

We hope all our members are well and coping with the unprecedented times we are living in. 

Green Maintenance 

The green has received its autumn/winter makeover by Lancashire Turf and is looking in very good condition we thank Nationwide Produce PLC for their continued support. It has been hollow tined, scarified, re-seeded and the winter feed and top dressing applied. 

Graham continues to keep his eye on the green and the surrounding area and tidies up where he can. I have attached a photograph showing the green.

Before we reopen the green we will need some assistance in the spring for a good tidy up and removal of leaves and ivy etc. 

Green Security  

Unfortunately we’ve had a visit yet again from the local yobs. They gained entry this time by kicking in the fence adjacent to the clubhouse. 

Graham has managed a temporary repair to the fence and hopefully this will keep them out in the short term. We may have to consider the building of a new fence adjacent to the clubhouse and along the car park at the Hesketh Arms. It may be a project that we have to take our on ourselves to save money.  We will be in touch looking for volunteers if we decide to go down that route, when we have had time to discuss the options at a committee meeting.  I would ask you all in the meantime to keep your eye out if you are passing the green and inform us if you see anything happening or that you think we need to know about. 

COMPETITION SURVEY

Many thanks to those members who took the time to respond to the Club’s Competition Survey. In total, 25 completed surveys were received and the findings were as follows :-

RESPONSES

1. Do you think the number of competitions run by the Club is :-

a. Not enough                       1 (4%)                                          

b. The right number          23 (92%)

c. Too many                           1 (4%)

2. Do you think the Club should run one of the singles competitions off scratch ?  i.e. no handicaps

a. Yes                                     14 (56%)

b. No                                      11 (44%)

3. Which format do you prefer for pairs competitions ?

a. Random (drawn on the day)                                                  9 (36%)

b. Non-Random (enter with a partner of your choice)        11 (44%)

c. No preference                                                                           5 (20%)

4. Do you think plate / consolation competitions should be run ?

a. Not at all                                       2 (8%)

b. At some competitions              11 (44%)

c. At all competitions                    10 (40%)

d. No preference                              2 (8%)

5. Are there any other competitions, events or formats which you would like to be considered for inclusion in the Club’s programme of events ?  

Use round robin format, games 11 up, with group winners progressing to knockout stages.

A triples competition.

Open competition, all off scratch.

A four-a-side team competition.

A competition played on the basis of players arranging their own games, with a finals day for semi-finals and final (e.g. Coronation Cup 2020).

Use of Power Plays, where double points are scored at certain ends.

Hold a floodlit / evening competition.

A Champion of Champions competition.

Over 60’s competition.

In addition to the answers give to the above questions, many positive comments were received regarding the Club’s programme of events and we thank members for this. Due to the current pandemic, we have been unable to meet to fully discuss the survey but plan to do so as soon as soon as restrictions are eased. We will look at the findings, suggestions and comments that have been put forward and consider them all when planning our competitions for next season.

Clearly, there is still some uncertainty surrounding the potential impact of Covid-19 but we will be looking to organise and complete a full and varied season of club events in 2021. Dates should be available early in the New Year, so please watch this space.