The forthcoming AGM will be on Tuesday August 13th at 8pm. I would encourage a big turnout of members this year as there are important changes being proposed regarding Subscriptions and rink fees. Full members only can attend.
PLEASE NOTE: There have been a lot of rumours circulating regarding rink fees and subscriptions. To be clear: The Committee has taken the decision to propose increasing Club Subscriptions by £20 per year over the next 3 years, i.e. a £60 increase over a 3 year period. This increase will be partially offset by a reduction in rink fees in Year 1 from £4.50 to £4.25 and Year 2 to £4.00 per 2 hour session. The justification for this increase is explained below.
I must reveal to members that this year (2018/9) we lost £4284 in cancelled games. That cannot continue. I must therefore warn members that new rules regarding cancelled games may well be in operation next year. Apart from that, we need to renew and refresh various parts of the building. Don’t forget BIBC is over 50 years old. She is beginning to feel her age.
Congratulations: to Sandra Baillie for being inducted into the Northern Ireland Hall of Fame Sports Awards. Also, the Club’s three bowl pairs competition was won by John Boyd and Roy Battersby – congratulations to them.
E Mail addresses: Once again we appeal for members to give us their email address in order to receive their Summer Packs and to help reduce the cost of posting them out. Please leave email addresses at the office. Also, if you have changed your email address within the last 12 months, please notify the office staff.
Restaurant: As you are all aware Alberta has left us after nearly 20 years. We of course will miss her and her staff who served the Club and members for all that time. With regards to her replacement, the recruitment process is still ongoing, and we are hopeful that we will have a new caterer in place for the start of the new season.
Summer Packs: Please note, entry forms for the Irish Ladies Nationals will be available at the Office and have not been included in the packs.
Also, the Senior Club competition age qualification has been reduced to +55 in line with the age limit for the Seniors leagues. However, the age limit for the Irish Senior Fours competition remains at +60.
Note: a new Intermediate league for Beginners, Novices, and any player who has never won a Club or national title or never represented the Club at National or International level is being proposed for Tuesday evenings from 5.30pm until 7pm.
Membership Recruitment: Once again, I appeal to all our members to recruit new members. We established last year that the most effective method of gaining new members was via friends and members. Advertising in various other ways did not amount to much. So, PLEASE members do your best to bring new friends, relatives, carers etc next season. As per last season, if you introduce a new, full member, you will receive a £30 voucher for the bowls shop!!
Coaching: The next beginners coaching session begins on Monday 14th October and will run for its usual 8 x week duration.
Open days: The Open Days for New Members are Wednesday 28th Aug 12 – 9pm, Thursday 29th Aug 10am – 5pm and Friday 30th Aug 12 – 9pm. There is no charge to bowl on these days, coaches will be available to offer help and advice, and a discount will be available for new members who join on the day!
Members Open Evenings: Open evenings for our own members are Tuesday 10th Sept 4 – 11pm and Thursday 12th Sept 4 – 11pm. There is no charge to bowl and rinks cannot be reserved.
Winter Season 2019/20: The new season will commence on Monday 16th September. With that in mind, can we have all league entry forms returned by Friday 16th August. The league fixtures should be ready by Friday 6th September. If you are not entering a rink next season, can you please inform the office, as there maybe someone wanting to enter the league in your place.
On behalf of the Management Committee, Office Staff and myself, may I thank you for your support last year. May I take this opportunity to wish all our members, old and new, a happy and successful season ahead for 2019/20.
Editor
Ken Armstrong