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Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 April 2024 19:49

ENGLISH BOWLING FEDERATION

Minutes of the Seventh Joint Annual General Meeting held at the South Forest I.B.C, on Saturday, 19th November 2022. Commencing at 10.30am.

Present: Mr. T. Hardingham (President) supported by, Mr. I. Bratton (Deputy President), Mr T. Flatt (Junior Deputy President), Ms. P. Gooch (President) supported by Mrs. E. Haddon-Holmes (Deputy President), Mrs. I. Ballam (Junior Deputy President), Mr. Mr. M. Carr (Chairman), Mr. T Roberts (Treasurer), Mrs. B. Beresford (Hon. Secretary EWBF), 48 other County Representatives, and Mr. D Woods (Secretary) - 58 in all.

Silent Tribute: - Before commencement of business, the Chairman, invited the assembled company to be upstanding in silent tribute to the memory of those who have passed-on since the last Annual General Meeting,

1. PRESIDENT'S WELCOME:

The Presidents Mr. T. Hardingham and Ms. P. Gooch wished a warm welcome to all in attendance, and hoped the Seventh joint meeting would be a problem free meeting. The meeting was then handed over to the Chairman.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Huntingdonshire Ladies, Cleveland Ladies, Suffolk Ladies President and Norfolk Mens Secretary.

3. MINUTES OF LAST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 20th 2021:

The minutes, which had been circulated previously to everyone, were taken as read and accepted as a true record. Proposed by Humberside Ladies and seconded by Lincolnshire men.

4. MATTERS ARISING:

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

5. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT:

The Chairman’s report had already been submitted and apart from an apology to the ladies President for not giving her a chance to close proceedings at Skegness and explaining why some of the presentations at Skegness were completed outside the Tournament Office there were no questions raised.

6. NATIONAL SECRETARY’S REPORT:

The Secretary’s report had already been submitted and no questions were raised.

6a. LADIES SECRETARY’S REPORT:

The Ladies Secretary’s report had already been submitted and no questions were raised.

6b. SAFEGUARDING OFFICERS REPORT.

The Safeguarding Officer Jeanette had covered all items in her report, and no further questions were raised.

7. FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND REPORT;

The Treasurers report had already been submitted and a couple of questions were raised.

From Suffolk.

There has been no indication from the National Executive Committee that any increases to fees were being considered for 2023. They thought that any changes would be implemented in 2024.

As a County Association they are trying hard to reduce their running costs.

Suffolk organises its member registration and county competition entry process in July, requesting all information from clubs to be with their Area Secretaries by the end of October. These increases are therefore too late for Suffolk to collect from its bowlers and clubs this year and will therefore have to cover the increases themselves.

The Treasurer explained that if the costs were not increased this year then the Federation would have a considerable loss for the year. He had estimated that the costs to clubs would only be around £10 for men and £5 for the ladies clubs.

From Derbyshire.

Following a complaint from Derbyshire last year regarding the accounts, which had been sorted. Derbyshire would now like to say

after looking further at the Financial Report and the Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2022 and apart from some nit-picking faults which can be ignored, they were very impressed with what has been presented.

The Accounts were accepted, proposed by Nottinghamshire Ladies and Seconded by Humberside Men.

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8. ENGLISH BOWLS UMPIRES' REPORT:

The Umpires secretary’s report was taken as read and no questions were raised.

9. Notices of motions:

Following discussions on all of the motions, the motions listed below were all agreed

N.E.C. Motions.

The following motions from the N.E.C. were all agreed. (Changes are shown in Red)

1. Reason for proposal, to reduce the NEC, Ladies Delegates and NDC meetings to one a year (There were 8 apologies for the March NDC Meeting) this will reduce costs as most of the correspondence is now done by email.

1.a

Present

5.6 A Delegate Council of the English Women’s Bowling Federation, shall be appointed consisting of the President, Deputy President, Junior deputy President, Immediate Past President, Honorary Secretary, and Safeguarding and Welfare Officer (if appropriate), together with one representative from each county bowling association(Substitute representatives may attend). (See also 13.3 regarding Life members); each member shall have one vote, eight members shall form a quorum. This Council shall meet annually during March. Also prior to the Annual General Meeting to discuss the Agenda and Notices of Motion, and to determine voting priorities; additional meetings of the committee may be called if necessary, by the President and Honorary Secretary of the English Women’s Bowling Federation in consultation.

Proposed.

5.6 A Delegate Council of the English Women’s Bowling Federation, shall be appointed consisting of the President, Deputy President, Junior deputy President, Immediate Past President, Honorary Secretary, and Safeguarding and Welfare Officer (if appropriate), together with one representative from each county bowling association(Substitute representatives may attend). (See also 13.3 regarding Life members); each member shall have one vote, eight members shall form a quorum.

This Council shall meet annually during October prior to the Annual General Meeting to discuss the Agenda and Notices of Motion, and to determine voting priorities; additional meetings of the committee may be called if necessary, by the President and Honorary Secretary of the English Women’s Bowling Federation in consultation

1.b

Present.

6.1 The National Delegate Council shall consist of President, Deputy President, Junior Deputy President, Chairperson, Immediate Past President, one representative from the English Bowls

Umpires Federation, Honorary Assistant Secretary if appointed), Publicity Officer (if appointed), and Safeguarding and Welfare Officer (if appropriate), and one representative from each county bowling association. (Substitute representative may attend) (See also 13.3 regarding Life Members). 6. 2. Each member shall have one vote.

6.3 Nine members shall form a quorum. 6.4 The National Delegate Council shall meet on an agreed Sunday of March and on the first Sunday of October - and on such other occasions as may be necessary to fulfil its functions.

Proposed.

6.1 The National Delegate Council shall consist of President, Deputy President, Junior Deputy President, Chairperson, Immediate Past President, one representative from the English Bowls

Umpires Federation, Honorary Assistant Secretary if appointed), Publicity Officer (if appointed), and Safeguarding and Welfare Officer (if appropriate), and one representative from each county bowling association. (Substitute representative may attend) (See also 13.3 regarding Life Members).

6.2 Each member shall have one vote. 6.3 Nine members shall form a quorum. 6.4 The National Delegate Council shall meet on the first Sunday of October - and on such other occasions as may be necessary to fulfill its functions.

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The following motions from the Counties were all agreed

1.

North Essex Ladies proposed motion, for the AGM to change the wording in 7.22 (1) (h) to read.

'White bowling shorts in either tailored or comfort fit style as supplied by an EWBF bowlswear supplier, with or without EWBF/EBF logo

Present . 7.22 (1)

(a) Female players participating in Inter County matches and National Championships must wear the Ladies standard uniform that may consist of any combination of the following as agreed and approved by each individual County Bowling Association. (b) White or Cream Blazer. (c) Coloured Blazer (colour to be registered with the EWBF) (d) White, Cream or Coloured tops: Fleece/ Sports type Jacket/Cardigan/Jumper/Pullover/Sweatshirt, or Waistcoat, of a design to incorporate County Colours and /or Badge (colour to be registered with the EWBF). The County Badge must not exceed the area /size of the Counties Standard Badge. In an Individual or Team event, players must all have the same coloured tops, registered with the EWBF or must all wear White or Cream. (e) White or Cream regulation Bowling Skirt or Dress, having Two inverted pleats front and back, made of the correct material and be of a length to cover the knees. (f) White or cream Tailored or Casual Bowling Trousers as supplied by a Bowlswear Retailer. (g) White or Cream Cropped Tailored Bowling Trousers, as supplied by a Bowlswear Retailer. (h) White bowling shorts in either tailored or comfort fit style as supplied by an EWBF/EBF approved bowlswear supplier, with or without EWBF logo. (i) White or Cream Undergarments. (j) Brown or Beige Tights, Stockings or Footsies may be worn.

(k) Pop socks or ankle socks may be worn with full length Trousers.

(h) White bowling shorts, as supplied by an approved bowlswear manufacturer (see below after Z)

(l) Girls 13 years or under may wear White or Cream ankle socks.

Proposed Changes to h only

7.22 (1) h

'White bowling shorts in either tailored or comfort fit style as supplied by an EWBF bowlswear supplier, with or without EWBF/EBF logo

2.

NOTICE OF MOTION FROM Nottinghamshire NORTHERN SECTION ONLY

REASON FOR NEW RULE The increased cost of coach hire and the overnight hotel charges if playing away on both Saturday and Sunday is a prohibitive cost to County bowlers. Counties cannot be expected to subsidise this or indeed expect their bowlers to pay substantial match fees to cover escalating costs for the privilege of playing for their County.

INSERT NEW RULE 8.2a

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PROPOSAL

To divide the Northern section into two areas for both the Adams and Newton matches as follows:

Zone A: Cleveland, Durham and Northumberland

Zone B: Derbyshire, Humberside and Nottinghamshire

Matches to be played on a home and away basis with a closing date of the last weekend in June for zonal rounds. The winner of Zone A to play the winner of Zone B in both Adams and Newton on a 3 rinks home and 3 rinks away basis on the second weekend in July. This will commence in 2024.

3. NOTICE OF MOTION FROM Nottinghamshire

RULE 9.8

Reason for Revision

Current ruling only allows counties to play indoor matches outside the County boundary where no indoor facilities exist within the county. The proposed revision would allow matches to be played outside the county boundary where an adjacent indoor green is over the county border.

Present existing rule 9.8

Matches shall be played within the boundary of the home county bowling association area: those county bowling associations with no indoor facilities available to them may play their home matches on a mutually agreed indoor green.

Proposed rule 9.8

Matches shall be played within the boundary of the home county bowling association area.

Those county bowling associations with no indoor facilities available to them or where residential proximity necessitates home matches may be played on a mutually agreed indoor green.

4. NOTICE OF MOTION FROM North Cambs. Finance Rule 4.1, page 30. Reason for motion – to clarify when County affiliation; Club Affiliation; and Per Capita fees are applicable and payable

Present

4.1 A condition of membership of any county shall be the annual payment by each member of the annual county affiliation fee, and any constituent club of a county bowling association shall be the annual payment by each club of the club management levy, and each member of the current per Capita levy of the English Bowling Federation or the English Woman’s Bowling Federation, regardless of whether or not that member plays in Federation competitions. Each County Bowling Federation shall pay such sums as The National Executive Committee of the English Bowling Federation shall determine within one calendar month of the issue of any invoice.

Invoices will be issued in accordance with the following schedule (EBF and EWBF) except where indicated.

Proposal

4.1 A condition of membership of any county shall be the annual payment by each member of the annual county affiliation fee, and any constituent club of a county bowling association shall be the annual payment by each club of the club management levy, and each member of the current per Capita levy of the English Bowling Federation or the English Woman’s Bowling Federation, regardless of whether or not that member plays in Federation competitions. Each County Bowling Federation shall pay such sums as The National Executive Committee of the English Bowling Federation shall determine within one calendar month of the issue of any invoice.

1.The Affiliation year for a County and a Club commences on the day following the Annual General Meeting, and the appropriate fees are due from this date.

2. The Per Capita fee is retrospective, and relates to the number of members a club declared on the Annual Return dated 31st August previous to the AGM; and the appropriate fees are applicable as per paragraph 1.

3. A new Club wishing to affiliate will be immediately liable for the appropriate Club levy, but not the Per Capita.

Invoices will be issued in accordance with the following schedule (EBF and EWBF) except where indicated.

5. NOTICE OF MOTION FROM Norfolk. Including the amendment from Nottinghamshire

Reason:-

To allow the National Secretary to prepare the programme earlier for Newark which will allow the bowlers participating more time to plan their visit to Newark.

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Present Rule 9.2

The results of all county bowling association competition finals and county association matches must be in the hands of the National secretary not later than the 24th March. Failure to comply with this rule may lead to disqualification.

Proposed new 9.2 rule.

The results of all county bowling association finals and county association matches must be in the hands of the National Secretary not later than the 8th March. Failure to comply with this rule may lead to disqualification.

6. NOTICE OF MOTION FROM Derbyshire

Reason : We feel the following proposals would help the smaller counties who have young and inexperienced teams and at the same time, could help them fulfill all their fixtures with a full team and even assist other counties in re-joining.

Present

Existing Rule 9. 12. Page 51

(a). Northamptonshire Trophy:- To qualify competitors must be at least 65 years of age on the first day of September of the season in which the competition is played.

(b). Rushbrook Bowl:- To qualify competitors must be at least 60 years of age on the first day of September of the season in which the competition is played.

(c). The Coleen and John Gooch Trophy:- To qualify competitors must be under the age of 25 years on the last day of the championships in the season in which the competition is played

Proposed 9. 12

(a). Northamptonshire Trophy:- To qualify competitors must be at least 65 years of age on the first day of September of the season in which the competition is played.

(b). Rushbrook Bowl:- To qualify competitors must be at least 60 years of age on the first day of September of the season in which the competition is played.

(c). The Coleen and John Gooch Trophy:- To qualify competitors must be under the age of 25 years on the 1ST September in the season in which the competition is played

7. NOTICE OF MOTION FROM Derbyshire

Present

Existing Rule 7. 26. Page 46

In order to qualify for any Under-25 competition the competitor must be under the age of twenty five on the last day of the championships

Proposed

In order to qualify for any Under-25 competition the competitor must be under the age of twenty five on the 1st May in the year of the championships being played.

The following motions from the N.E.C. and Counties after discussions were all Defeated:

1. Notice of motion from the N.E.C.

The introduction of a National Top 10 competition. Clubs play off within a County and the winners progress to an inter- county competition the following year. Much the same as the Durham Centenary competition with the final being played at the National Finals, possibly on the last Saturday morning of the championship.

2. NOTICE OF MOTION from North Cambs. SOUTHERN SECTION ONLY

To divide the Southern Section into 2 area’s.

The increased cost of fuel, the reluctance of bowlers to play away and subsidies by the county are getting too costly to maintain. Bowlers cannot be expected to pay substantial match fees to cover escalating costs for the privilege of playing for their County.

3. Notice of motion from Derbyshire

In Reg. Wright trophy matches, confined to players under twenty-five years of age (see rule 7.26), with the exception of one player on each rink being allowed up to the age of 31 years of age on 1st May in the year the championships are played.

1111.

10. RETIRING PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO MEETING:

The Ladies president Paula Gooch said it had been a great honour and pleasure in representing the Federation, but couldn’t believe how quickly the year had gone. She said she had the best time ever and would like to thank all the Counties for their hospitality to both herself and sister Leslie during her County visits and dinner presentations. It has been a pleasure to work along side of the men’s President, between them they have raised £1392 for their charities, the Norfolk Heart trust and the St. Elizabeth Hospice. She wished all the incoming people on the Presidential ladder all the best in their year in office. Her final thanks went to her sister who had travelled over 3000 miles with her and was always at her side.

The men’s President Trevor Hardingham said he re-iterated all of what Paula had said and was disappointed that his term of office was now at an end, but hoped in the future he could serve the Federation in some capacity. He had made many friends during his year in office and believes that the Federation is the backbone of bowls. He said he had enjoyed working with Paula and she had been a pleasure to work with. He then went on to thank his County for nominating him, and also thanked his wife Sheila for her support.

He congratulated Elaine and Ian on becoming the Presidents and wished them good luck for the forthcoming year.

11. ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

The following officers were elected: - Men:

President: I. Bratton. Humberside

Deputy-President: T. Flatt. Suffolk

Junior Deputy-President: Vacancy. To be confirmed.

Chairman: M. Carr. Lincolnshire

The following officers were elected: - Ladies:

President: E. Haddon-Holmes Derbyshire

Deputy-President: I. Ballam Humberside

Junior Deputy-President: B. Beresford Nottinghamshire Ladies Hon. Secretary B. Beresford Nottinghamshire

12. NOMINATIONS OF COUNTY DELEGATES FOR NATIONAL DELEGATE COUNCIL:

Cleveland R. Serginson

Derbyshire B. Bevans.

Durham. T.B.C.

Humberside I. Pringle. Huntingdonshire P. Hartwell. Lincolnshire S. Cornwell. Norfolk A. Sayer.

Northants M. Beck .

North Cambs. P. Bennett.

North Essex S. Botten.

Northumberland T.B.C.

Nottinghamshire M. Warriner.

Suffolk K. Dyer

12 (A). ELECTION OF DELEGATE TO NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

B. Bevans Derbyshire was elected.

13. NOMINATIONS OF LADIES DELEGATES FOR DELEGATE COUNCIL:

Cleveland M. Roberts. Norfolk J. Watson

Derbyshire M. Archer. Northants T. Handley

Durham. J. Diball North Cambs. C. Carr Humberside J. Murphy. North Essex M.Thompson

Huntingdonshire T.B.C. Northumberland T.B.C.

Nottinghamshire J. Croxall.

Lincolnshire J. Bates Suffolk T.B.C

13 (A) ELECTION OF DELEGATE TO NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

J. Croxall Nottinghamshire was elected.

14. Vice Presidents.

D Brownley

R Robson

M Raysom

W T Roberts

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15. OTHER ELECTIONS:

Auditor: - Sadofskys Chartered Accountants. (Hull).

16. The Chairman presented Ty Robert with the honour of being made a Life Member of the Federation for the service he has given over the last 20 plus years. Ty thanked everyone for giving him the Life Membership

17. CLOSURE OF MEETING: The meeting was closed at 11.40 pm by the new President’s Ian who said it was a honour and privilege to receive the position of National President. He said Bowls in general and in particular the Federation are facing difficult times. It is up to all of us to work together in strengthening the clubs and counties as well as bonding friendship which exists within the Federation.

In his year as President he hopes to attend as many matches as possible and at least visit all the Counties once. His charity this year will be the Dove House Hospice. He thanked his County and club for nominating him, also especially his wife Chris for encouraging him to stand.

Elaine thanked her County Derbyshire and her club for putting her forward and was looking forward to serving the E.B.F family.

She looks forward to the next year working alongside Irene, Beryl, Ian and his deputies. She said she will do the job to the best of her abilities and look forward to seeing everyone during the year.

Both Presidents said they were looking forward to being able to fulfill their duties as President’s, and wished everyone a safe journey home.

Signed: 18th November 2022