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Secretary &
Fixtures Secretary / President &
Competition Secretary / Chairman / Treasurer, Webmaster &
Meetings Secretary
Martin Gaut / John Coxill / Mick Jones / Robert Burroughs
104a Trench Road / 18 Normandie Close / 2 Sands Cottage / 7 Bostock Close
Trench, Telford / Ludlow / Evelith, Shifnal / Admaston, Telford
TF2 7DW
07964 294466 / SY8 1UJ
07753 603372 / TF11 8HU
07967 055250 / TF5 0AG
07901 229623

MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 17TH JANUARY 2017

AT MEOLE BRACE BC AT 7.35 PM

  1. APOLOGIES

None received

  1. MINUTES OF AGM 2016

These were passed as a true record, proposed by John Nash and seconded by John Coxill, and chairman Mick Jones duly signed them.

  1. MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising.

  1. CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to the Shropshire Premier bowling league AGM.Another successful year in 2016 concluded with the Sir John Bayley Club winning the league for the first time, with Castlefields in second place and St. Georges third. In fact, the top six teams were only separated by a mere 16 points.

Well done to Hanwood on finishing fifth in our league in their first season back.Congratulations to Hanmer for their success in winning the play off finals against Hadley, I would like to welcome them to the Premier league.Thanks go to all our Sponsors; to Flowfit for their continued support for the last four years, best wishes to Simon and Sharon in the future. Also Black Tech, Bowls Trader. Get Branded, JB Valeting, Mousepoint and White Apple.Wishing you all an enjoyable and successful season in 2017. Best wishes

Mick Jones Chairman

  1. SECRETARY’S REPORT

This season has been another successful on and off the greens. A thanks once again, to all the club’s representatives who have entered results, registered players and getting information to me as and when required – It all helps to making the league run smoothly. Another improvement is the reduction of the fines issued, which is always good to see as it shows that the rules are working.I’d like to give my thanks ALL the league’s sponsors as their support is crucial to the profile of our league.I’d like FLOWFIT to know that the league is extremely thankful to have had their much valued support for a number of years.

2016 saw an extremely tight league at the top and title was won by the SIR JOHN BAYLEY CLUB, who won the league for the first time. They finished just 5 points ahead of runners up Castlefields. The top four had a gap of only 9 points which really emphasizes how close it was.New boys, HANWOOD, won the prize for the Most Improved Team. It had to be looked at the same as previously promoted teams so their points difference was tallied in comparison to Archibald Worthington’s last season. Hanwood were a mighty 65 points better off than The Archie, showing how good they are and for a first season back in the league finishing 5th is very impressive indeed. They also had the most home points and highest home aggregate this season.

Bottom of the table, and into the Playoffs, were HADLEY USC. They finished 11 points of Bylet and faced the victors of Hanmer and Donnington Wood to fight for their place. Donnington Wood fought Hanmer at Meole Brace on the Number 1 Green. The winners, by 13 shots, were Hanmer, which meant that they had earned to chance to play Hadley USC in the Playoff Final at Bicton BC. In an exciting final there was a massive crowd who saw HANMER being triumphant by a small margin of 8 shots. It’s great to welcome a new club into the league but the thing I hate the most is the sending of Hadley USC into the abyss. We hope to see them build and try to come back as there are some very good bowlers and many good people at that club of whom the league will miss. I am sure the addition of Hanmer to our league is significant as it yet another very tricky home green with some very talented bowlers coming in.

The Black Tech Ltd Alan Mayhew Trophy was won by MEOLE BRACE, who ended their SPBL trophy hoodoo, at Bicton. The final was a very tight affair in the first four and middle four, however three winners in the back four saw Meole Brace beat Castlefields by 18 shots. The Man of the Match winner was Mark Thomas (Meole Brace) after beating Glyn Herbert 21-20 in the back four.The Bowls Trader Premiership Trophies were battled out at the end of the season. The finals were held at Bowring this year and yet again there was a home club involved. The Pool A Final was between Chester Road and Meole Brace, seeking their second SPBL trophy this season. CHESTER ROAD won this by a narrow 4 shots on the premier green. The non-premier green saw the Pool B Final with the host club, Bowring against Ifton. IFTON were the winners with a spectacular 21-1 win by Simon Tyler helping them to a 16 shot victory.The Individual Merit (John Coxill Trophy) was played at Bayston Hill which attracted 31 entries. The winner was JOSH BRADBURN (Bowring), defeating Scott Simpson (Sir John Bayley Club) 21-17 in very competitive final. A bit of history was made here as Josh’s victory meant that Roy & Josh Bradburn are the first Father & Son to have both this competition.The JB Valeting & Detailing Mike Hinton Pairs was won by JOSH BRADBURN & STUART CLEE (Bowring) at Old Shrewsbury, where they beat Wayne Phillips & Nick Davies (Hanwood) 21-17 in the final. This result means that JOSH BRADBURN became the first person to win both the League Merit and Pairs in the same season, a fantastic achievement.

The League Averages and Most Consecutive Wins were both won this season by ANDREW MOSS (Chester Road). ‘Mossy’ won 24 out of 26 matches as well as 19 of them being in a row. This is the fourth time he has won the League Averages and the fourth time that he has had the Most Consecutive Wins. This is an astonishing accomplishment. I would like to congratulate Andrew on reaching the final of the BCGBA Merit at Llay Miners Welfare, Wrexham. That was a stunning effort where he really showed his class and composure on the big stage (not for the first time either).

Many thanks to Mousepoint DesignWhite ApplePhotography who sponsored the Fantasy Bowls League and Predictions League respectively.A huge well done to the league’s representatives in our team at the Senior Inter League. This year the competition was held in Wem and we only went and won it! This was the very first time that we have ever won the competition, hopefully the first of many.This concludes my report. Many thanks for taking the time to read it and I hope you all have a successful season in 2017 onwards.

Martin Gaut Hon. Secretary

  1. COUNTY DELEGATE'S REPORT

I am sure everyone will agree the Mike Beckett system has proved invaluable for the County and all the leagues and will improve things even further in 2017 as the NR1 forms have been replaced by a club page on the bowls results web site which club secretaries will be responsible for updating and includes club address post code and insurance. If your club does not take out Endsleigh Insurance they must provide details of their Insurance to Brian Kitson. All cup competitions will also be included on the system in 2017. Reminder to all leagues playing in the Senior Inter League that they are to provide a raffle prize to the value of £10 (it was questioned how long has a bottle of Lambrini cost £10). Please advise your clubs. Reminder to all clubs that you must have a Welfare Officer in place. All County games and competition results are on the County Web site thanks to Rob Burroughs and photographs thanks to Mike Potter. Brian Kitson County Registrar had issued 264 new membership cards this year as opposed to 251 the previous year. Three payments of £200 each were made during the season one to the Webmaster Rob Burroughs who has done an excellent job, one to Mike Robinson for the County Programmes and the other to Mike Beckett for his work on the system. It has also been agreed that subject to approval by the finance committee that a scroll be produced for all County Merit winners and that it be back dated to 2000.

The County team had done exceptionally well in reaching the final but the home result cost them with the away team only losing by 1. The current Selectors term of office has now ended and they did very well during that time reaching two semi finals and the final. New Selectors will be elected at the AGM in February if anyone wishes to be considered get your details to the County Secretary by e-mail. The Junior County side did very well beating both Merseyside and South Yorkshire losing in the semi final to a very strong Yorkshire side who went on to win the trophy. Bowring won the County Cup beating Castlefields by 16. Josh Bradburn was Man of the Match. The New Shropshire Cup was won by Prince Hotel who beat Pontesbury by 2. It was agreed that Bowring and Sir John Bayley be invited into the Champion of Champions event.

There has been a review of the honoraria by the finance committee and a proposal put forward which was accepted by the Executive as follows:

Secretary: Increase of £500 p.a. From £1835.42 to £2335.42

Treasurer: Increase of £500 p.a. From £750.16 to £1250.16

Competition Secretary Increase From £750.16 to £1000

Referee Secretary: Increase from £233.06 to £400

Welfare Sec/Counter Signatory Increase from £362.34 to £1000

Total Honoraria: £5985.58 plus tax £1496.40 = £7481.98 an overall increase of £2,600.00

Annual affiliation fee to County will be £25 per league and £2 per club.

Admission to County Matches for 2017 will be £3

All players playing in Junior County will have their initial shirt provided free of charge, but should they need a replacement at a later date they will be expected to pay 50% of the cost.

All Senior players and Veterans will pay the full cost.

At the time of writing the County are still in need of a competition secretary which may attract some interest now it carries a salary of £1000 p.a. if anyone is seeking some employment. Welfare is still a major part of the game now and Safeguarding Welfare will be discussed at Management meetings. It means officers of the County Association e.g. Welfare Officer, Team Managers, Assistant Team Managers and Coaches must have a valid DBS check and these will be done every three years and it is a requirement to attend Safeguard Training. Two places have been booked at BCGBA Headquarters on 11 February 2017. There will also be a children’s code of conduct. Clubs must check their DBS forms to see if they are due for renewal as they are only valid as indicated for 3 years.

Some cosmetic changes were proposed for the County Cup and Shropshire Cup from Rob Burroughs and Rob will run through these briefly if required. Dates for Competitions were proposed for 2017 and I have a copy of these if anyone wants to see them. The main Senior Merit final will be 25 June. Anything else that comes to light before the meeting I will report on verbally.

John Nash SPBL County Delegate

The four proposals were discussed voted on with the Honoraria Increased voted for by 10 people and 1 against with 3 abstaining. The other three went through unanimously.

  1. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. First of all I want to thank everybody for giving me the honour of being your President for the second time. When the League was set up in 1994 I had the honour of being its first President so to be elected again in 2016 is something that I cherish.

I must give a huge thank you to Simon Parsonage from Flowfit who once again has sponsored our League, Simon and Sharon’s generosity is very much appreciated, also our other sponsors Black Tech Ltd, Get Branded, JB Valeting, Bowls Trader, White Apple Photography, Mousepoint Design and Jason Groom, on behalf of the League we thank you all very much.

Next our Prize winners. After 5 years of dominance from Newport we have new League Champions a first for Sir John Bayley Club from Wellington very well done, RU Castlefields. County Cup won by Bowring B.C. also from Wellington. Both teams to represent Shropshire in the 2017 World Club Championship at Fox Lane Leyland. Continuing with the team awards Chester Road beat Meole Brace to win the pool A Trophy and Ifton beat Bowring to win the pool B Trophy. Thanks to Bowring club for hosting the finals and the presentation afterwards. The Alan Mayhew Trophy played at Bicton B.C. was won by Meole Brace who beat Castlefields in an exciting final watched by a large crowd. The S.P.B.L. Merit played at Bayston Hill B.C. was won for the first time by Josh Bradburn from the Bowring club emulating his father Roy who won it in 2011. Josh then teamed up with club mate Stuart Clee and did the double by winning the (Mike Hinton) pairs at O.S.B.C. the first time anybody has done the double. The League averages (Neville Edwards Trophy) was won by Andy Moss Chester Road for a record fourth time, he also won the most consecutive wins with 19, this also must be a record. The most MVP was won by Stuart Rutter. Once again congratulations to all our Winners.

The Play offs this year played at Meole Brace No1, between Mid Shropshire winners D/Wood and M/Drayton winners Hanmer with Hanmer coming out the winners. The final play off was between H.U.S.C bottom team in the Prem and Hanmer and was played at Bicton B.C. watched by a large crowd and was a very exciting match with Hanmer finally after several years of trying earned their place in our league. Commiserations to Hadley who I am sure will try to regain their place back in the top tier.

My thanks go to Mike Potter who has refereed and photographed most of our finals, and to Malcolm Fletcher who continues to provide our league with excellent press coverage. My thanks to Mick Jones, Rob Burroughs and Martin Gaut for their work in running a very smooth ship and I hope to continue to work with them for many years to come. And finally my thanks to all clubs and grounds men for their cooperation on all play offs and finals days and nights.

John Coxill SPBL President and Competition Secretary.

  1. TREASURER’S REPORT

We made a loss of £171 for the year mainly due to a number of one off costs. The tankards increased by £127 due to changing the badge into our one and not the Shropshire one as well as getting tankards for the doubles last season as well as this. We got our inter league shirts embroidered which cost £73. We also got medals for our inter league winners, costing nearly £50, as it was our first time as well as two President Bars costing £30. Honorarium also increased by £250, £312 with tax, which I had miscalculated hence the increased loss that I said from the October Meeting. I would recommend freezing it for the forthcoming season.

But sponsorship increased by £270, which increased the previous prize money by £189 and meant we could give prize money for the Fantasy and Predictions League for the first time. The raffle and entry fees meant we raised £551 overall, with £278 going out to charity and clubs who hosted the events. Fines were reduced by £145 which is good for the league, only meeting fines were incurred. I reduced the Presentation Evening food by £50 and want to reduce it by another £50 for this season; we had far too much left over at the Bowring.

As for next season the MVPs are gone, so that means £100 saved. The Presentation Evening will save another £50, and the affiliation fee hopefully will be halved to £25, so we will be already in profit hopefully. With charging for the pre playoff games now as well that might increase our income, but depends on how many teams apply. We will have less matchcards for the cup competitions to so that will save some cost of those hopefully.

My aim for the forthcoming year will be to make a £50 profit so to break even over the last 3 years as I don’t want to start making continuous losses each season.

The accounts were audited by Ian Gaut again, and he wishes to donate his fee of £10 to the Severn Hospice again if that is alright with everyone. I would like to thank Ian for his time and effort in auditing the accounts again for us.

Rob Burroughs Treasurer

It was agreed that £10 would be donated to Severn Hospice.

  1. AMENDMENT TO MATCH RULE 2 (CONCESSIONS)2ND RULE PASSED with 10 for, 3 for the 1st rule and 1 against

CURRENT RULE: