Cramlington Bowling Club Annual General Meeting

Venue The Cramlington Masonic Building

30th October 2025 (18.30 Hrs)

1.0 Introduction

The Meeting was opened at 6.30pm, with the necessary Quorum, (24 members present) by the Chairman welcoming everyone and thanking them for their attendance.  

2.0 Apologies

There were apologies received from; P.Ging, I.Nolan and B.O’Connor.

3.0 Bereavements.

During the period under review unfortunately one member had suddenly past away and the thoughts of everyone were directed to the family of John Summerside.

The meeting was also informed of the poor health of Phil Ging and Arthur Allenby.

4.0 Minutes of the Previous Meeting.

The Minutes having been previously available to the membership were   formally approved and accepted.

5.0   Matters Arising.

Several issues arising from the previous minutes were further discussed Including; Travel Expenses, the Chairmans resignation/Treasurer Appointment and Communications, (all Closed) Also Internal Competitions including the Australian Pairs System which are ongoing.  

  6.0 Chairmans Report (Including the Seasons Review).

6.1 The Chairman delivered his Annual Report commencing with the League highlights and final positioning of each team, whilst explaining that it had been a challenging year for the Club although some success was achieved by winning the Rington’s Cup for the first time in the Club’s history. On the downside the Knight Cup Team was relegated to the 2nd Division.

He continued by expressing his thanks to Keith Twist for an amazing job of  reviewing the season and the associated display on the Club Website for which he encouraged all members to visit.

6.2 The Chairman also explained that the Club Secretary and Chairman had met, along with the Secretary, Chairman and Treasurer of Alexandra Park Bowling Club, with representatives of the County Council to try and resolve ongoing issues with respect to both Bowling Greens, with minutes of the meeting available.

6.3  In addition before concluding he stated that the Council had informed the Club that the damaged West footpath was to be repaired on Monday 10th November. 

6.4 He then concluded by saying that the report given would be his final report as he intended standing down and thanked all those who have supported and helped him over the past eleven years in office.  

7.0 Competitions.

7.1 The Club have committed to the usual Day and Night Leagues as well as the Northumberland Cup Competitions but have taken the decision to decline the Bowls England Club Competitions.    

7.2 Team Selection and the Green condition were tabled from the floor for discussion, but the Committee suggested to defer both subjects to the Spring meeting where it was deemed to be more appropriate.

7.3 In relation to the Internal Competitions the Secretary informed the meeting that David Smith would be officiating all competitions with a view to introducing improved formats including an Australian Pairs System.

7.4 Team selection and membership was again constructively discussed with the Chairman requesting that the Team Selectors be free of outside pressure when producing a competitive team sheet, although to bear in mind that the Daytime teams are in the main to be seen as a means of introducing and blooding newer members of the Club into league environments.  

7.5 Dates for the diary were suggested as; Saturday 9th May away to Seghill to celebrate their Centenary with all Cramlington members invited and as usual the annual Lesbury friendly (Away).

8.0 Treasurers Report

8.1 The Treasurer presented the Annual Accounts after explaining the difficulties encountered during the transition of the Office from the previous holder of the position regarding the banking issues but overall the Club was in a healthy position, after which the report was Approved and Accepted.

8.2 Keith Twist explained to the members that costs associated with items held in the ‘Club Shop’ have increased significantly and sales shall reflect the increases accordingly. Cash held/float shall be discussed with the Treasurer.  

8.3 Transport Records with respect to the Captains Team Sheets were discussed and all present reminded of the need for clear reporting.

9.0 Election of Officers/Committee Members.

9.1 As there were only one nominee for the positions of Chaiman and Secretary Bob Harrison and Norman Reeve were elected respectively

9.2 The position of Treasurer likewise had only one nominee with John Freel elected.

9.3 Committee members elected were Terry Gardener, Kevin Miles John Harrison and David Clough.

10.0 Safeguarding.

The position of Safeguarding Official being vacant and being an important position John Harrison was confirmed as the intermediate holder of the role within the Club.

11.0 Presentations.

Jumbles –   D.Jackson    R/UP   –   D.Bamford

Club Singles   –  M.Knight      R/UP   –    W.Hawkins

Club Handicap    – D.Clough      R/UP   –   D.Smith

Club Pairs   – D.Clough/W.Hawkins   R/UP   –   M.Coulthard/P.Fenech

Club Championship   – M.Knight R/UP   –   D.Clough

Max as Club Champion thanked everyone for their friendly welcome when first joining the club.

12.0 A.O.B.

 12.1 K.Twist raised the issue of the Travel Fee which is paid to the drivers on match day/evening games which he felt penalised and was unfair, when combined with the increase in the subscription, on himself and the membership.  

A full discussion followed and the membership decided that as the process was proposed and approved at the previous October meeting by the membership it was agreed to maintain the Status Quo.

12.2 The incoming Chairman requested that the date for the 2026 Club Open competition be confirmed as early as possible with the first Saturday in August proposed.

13.0 Chairmans Closing Remarks.

 There being no further business the Meeting was closed by the Chairman at 7.40pm after thanking everyone for their attendance and involvement. However before the closing the Secretary presented the outgoing Chairman with a token from the membership as an appreciation of his contribution to the Club during his tenure.     

The date of the next meeting to be confirmed after a review of the Venue Calendar has been reviewed. 

Signed :     N. Reeve   Date    4th November 2025

         (Secretary)

Cl\ose meeting.12.2