Chairman's Report September 2014

A warm welcome back to returning members, new members from what I hope has been a very good outdoor season. A number of items have been completed during the close season which I hope will be appreciated by the membership.

First and foremost is the most recent installation of our new carpet and underlay which was completed by Dales Sports surfaces during the period 1st September to 5th September. This will provide the Club with an excellent surface for the next 20 years, in order to achieve this longevity there is a basic rule which has to be enforced, we can no longer permit the wearing of trainers with ridged soles, only flat soled shoes will be permitted for wear on the green. In the recent past this has been allowed knowing that we would eventually be replacing the carpet and underlay.

On Friday 5th September when the Dales people left after completion of the fitting the resultant speed of the two completed stretches (1 in each direction) was 17 seconds. This speed will erode very quickly as the green is used. We have already booked a service visit for the first week in October to re-tension the carpet in preparation for the National Competitions.

Also on Friday we had the roof air vents capped to prevent any ingress of moisture, leaves, etc from falling on the green as has happened in the past. For the beginning month of the league programme you will have noticed that we have no “ T’s” on the just a series of dots. The first and most important is a dot at the two metre mark on the centre line of the rink to indicate starting match position. The other dots, the first from the front edge of the ditch at the one and half metre point and one and half metre from the centre line of the rink is the re-spotting position when the jack leaves the rink on either side of the rink. The second spot same distance from the centre line of the rink but half metre further in from the front edge of the ditch is the alternate spot should the first be occupied by a bowl in play. Having put up the rink charges this season it was agreed that we would introduce this re-spotting of the jack to stop the replaying of ends and give everyone the chance of getting one or two ends more in their league game by way of compensation for the increase in rink charges.

Future plans for the Club going forward over the next two years, in the more immediate future the Board is looking at a renewable energy heating system (Bio mass) for the Club, to replace our existing 40 year old system for which spares are becoming difficult to locate and fit. The Bio mass system is installed to work alongside our existing system which then becomes our emergency system. Along with the Bio mass system, as well as heating we also get a degree of cooling provided. It is early days, but this is the direction which is being examined by the Board.

The next priority, is the total refurbishment of the toilet wing, which has given us sterling service for the first 40 years of operation. We hope that this will occur during the close season 2015 – ( between May and September).

In the next couple of months we plan to complete the total replacement of the Club’s signage, and all the External security lights with LED units which will again reduce our consumption of electricity.

Long term plans, say next 5 years not with standing the items mentioned above is the replacement of the Scoreboard with a total programmable scoreboard.

Throughout the Club several of the smaller areas have been cleared of boards, etc and repainted white to give further reflected light within the club premises. More of these types of tasks are on going over the next couple of years.

We have also completed our Clubmark documents which have been submitted to our County Sports Partnership for Warwickshire based at the Campus of the university of Warwick. My sincere thanks to Bob and Janet Arkell, Roy and Julia Scott, our Club/Company Secretary Mrs Sarah Simpson without whom I would not have been able to complete this important task. Having the award, is becoming more and more important when applying for sports grants, priority being given to those Clubs achieving such recognition . This has been the culmination of 2 years work, carefully documenting and providing evidence of a safe environment for all our users to enjoy. Completed by volunteers, during their own time which is most appreciated.

Our Document will now go before a review panel who will make the judgement as to whether or not we have hit the required standard to achieve the award. This is followed by a site visit of the review panel to check what we have said is in fact being done. Once we have passed both facets we will be awarded the Plaque, and will then be the subject of re-visits every 3 years on the date of the award going forward.

Not my usual report, but there being so many important issues to inform you about, it has taken a fair amount of writing to ensure that you as members are kept fully up to date with the work and future plans for the Club.

In the meantime we have had the Commonwealth Games, with Jamie Lea Winch gaining a silver medal for the Ladies Pairs, congratulations on that achievement. Our Outdoor County men have been busy and successful in winning the Balcomb Trophy (All England County Double Rink Championship) and the All England Men’s Pairs, involving members Calvin Wells, Craig Carter and Tom Millership congratulations to all, hope that you can carry this success through to the coming indoor season. The County Ladies have been successful in winning the Midland Counties Championship this season which has involved a number of our members ably led by the County President Maureen Edwards, again well done. Congratulations to all those members who have achieved success outdoors this year in County/Club competitions. Also many congratulations to members of our Junior section who have been involved in the winning of competitions this past outdoor season, well done.

The Fantastic 5’s had a good run in the summer event, with one team reaching the Inter Area stage only to lose to Melton for a place in the quarter finals, well done to all the members who played in this interesting competition through the early part of summer. Watch this space for information about next years competition, when we are contemplating entering 3 teams. The summer Pairs league and Aussie Pairs league were well supported and will again feature in our plans for next years summer season. A sincere thank you to all those members who supported both leagues.

To our new Selectors for the coming season, the membership wish you well in your deliberations and of course success in all the team competitions. Not an easy task but one which we all hope will be successful, the very best of luck.

In closing, can I once again extend a warm welcome on behalf of the Staff, Board of Directors to a most enjoyable season indoors no matter at what level you play. Point to remember is that it is an honour to represent the Club in whatever position that you have been selected.

Thank you for reading, and good bowling.

Dave Murley

Chairman Board of Directors.