Latest News

Chairman’s Cup – 2023

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The 2023 Chairman’s Cup took place in testing conditions, with heavy showers and thunder the order of the day.

This year’s handicap competition was again hosted by Bev Harper and Matt O’Neil, who put on a great event complete with a delicious hot buffet.

The final, played on a soaked green, was between Tony Martin and last year’s winner Dave Booth. With Tony Martin taking the title and his 2nd cup of the year by a score of 21-11.

A huge thanks to our sponsors, Graham & Tony Martin, Martin McBurnie and Mike Ward. Prize money was paid down to quarter finalists.

Novice Shield 2023

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The Novice Shield took place on Sunday 28th May at WBC. Yet again we ere blessed with sunny skies and a good turnout of 16.

The final saw Howard Riscatti defeat Alan Truelove – losing semi-finalists were Tina McGlynn and Ernie.

Many thanks to Les Cropper for organising and running the event

Tony Walton Trophy 2023

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The Tony Walton Handicap Trophy was held on Sunday 7th May. 

Tony was unable to attend himself but kindly donated to the prize fund and the day was blessed by sunshine and some close matches.

This year’s winner was Tony Martin, who edged out Dave Booth 21-18 in the final.

Our losing semi-finalists were Martin McBurnie and Gary Veevers.

Our next competition date is the Novices Shield on May 28th, open to all beginners and novice bowlers.

Many thanks to our magical funders and supporters

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We couldn’t have done this without you! 

We have managed to get the club building underpinned by a specialist company. We now have assurance that we have halted any further movement. 

We now continue to seek grants and funds for the roof replacement and installation of photovoltaic panels to reduce our carbon footprint and save costs.

We are committed to seeking support via every avenue to rebuild the premises and offer more accommodation to community activity, training and development. We are about to embark on a continual youth training and experience programme to offer access and a springboard to employment. 

We are delighted to take Nathan Scully on as our first “work experience” trainee. 

We will keep you advised on accessing this programme as we do intend to commit money and time to bring as much benefit to local youth as we are able.

New Management Committee

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We are pleased to announce that we have now completed the construction and implementation of the new Management Committee to take the club through to April 2025.

The new committee members are:

  • Jo Owen
  • Bev Harper
  • Tina McGlynn
  • Warren Jackson

Plus the four existing directors:

  • Colin Jack (Chair)
  • Gary Lee
  • David Bevan
  • Paul McMullen

We will arrange a full committee meeting in April to determine direction and strategy. 

We welcome your input as members, please contact any of the above committee members with any thoughts, comments or issues you would like us to address.

Levelling Up Fund – Bid Rejected

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We are disappointed with last week’s news (click to read the letter) that we (WBCCIC) have been turned down for government funding to refurbish our club. We have worked for over a year to prepare the detail, reports, supporting evidence and continuation and demonstration of our community value and commitment. 

Our MP, The Rt Hon Christian Wakeford and his team have been supporting us throughout the bid and wrote directly to the levelling up office on our behalf. 

We were supported by Bury Voluntary and Faith Alliance and a special mention to Sally Deith and her valued assistance at the beginning. We are all aware that the Club House structurally is in a perilous condition and the very fact that it may not be in existence in another three years is a very real possibility. 

We will not let our 134 year history fade, we wont let the value and spirit of this community facility dissapear as the case with other community facilities. 

We are preparing to seek further support from the Government department and will discuss with Bury council and BVFA how they can support us to return a bid that does succeed

Special Meeting Notice

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Formal Notice is given that the Directors of Whitefield Bowling Club Community Interest Company have called a meeting (special resolution) for Saturday the 18th of March at 14:00. All fully paid-up Members (as of the 1st of March 2023) are invited to attend to discuss and vote on the following (no guests or non-members): – 

  1. A return to the day-to-day management of the club and premises by a democratically elected Management Committee of 8/10 members as per the articles of association. An elected chairman with delegated responsibilities.
  2. CIC Directors (as per company’s house and regulatory requirements) will maintain year-end control and reporting for accounts, CIC reporting and companies house returns. They will provide a dispute resolution and legislative overview with an audit role for the committee (to be established).
  3. The established green/captains committee will remain and take all responsibility for the grounds, leagues, competitions. It is to be extended to 4/6 members (with scope for co-opted members) with regular meetings and responsibilities.
NO OTHER MATTERS WILL BE DISCUSSED

Subject to Article 47.3, a written resolution of the Company passed in accordance with this Article 47 shall have effects if passed by the Company in general meeting: A written resolution is passed as an ordinary resolution if it is passed by a simple majority of the total voting rights of eligible members. A written resolution is passed as a special resolution if it is passed by members representing not less than 75% of the total voting rights of eligible members.  A written resolution is not a special resolution unless it states that it was proposed as a special resolution.

WBC CIC Strategic Review – 2023 – click to download

Use it or Lose it

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Manchester City Council  conducted a review of public bowling greens across the region to look at saving costs associated with the ongoing maintenance,

The decision was taken to close a number of greens that were not being use, saving the council close to £100k.

Read the review document – click here.

Building Update – Fundraising Launched

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scaffold

You will see the scaffolding support is still in position and continues to restrict movement and access. The subsidence dictates that this remains in position to slow the movement and subsequent damage to our 130-year-old building. We are continually monitoring the structure and measuring movement for safety and risk. As per previous updates we are still searching for funding and a solution to the problem.

As part of our risk management strategy and to minimise any possible impact, we have restricted use of the building over the summer months. It is our intent to limit the number of Memberships again for 2023 in recognition of the problem. The
membership policy will be amended and updated with numbers and methodology we will apply to applicants.

We have continued to move forward with three possible routes to ensure we have a home: 

First to completely rebuild (drawing and plans displayed) that delivered our needs for day-to-day use but also allowed more facilities for the community and partners. With hikes in interest rates and a market that has become extremely nervous the costs of delivering this has become unrealistic. 

Second for rebuilding with two apartments for rent on the first floor and this is still an option and you will see the figures on the business plan and we do have a set of drawings and design ready for funding. This would be a longer term project.

The third (and preferred) bid is with the Governments Homes and Communities Department for the refurbishment of the building. If this is successful, we would need to deliver the work programmes within a 12 month period. While this absolutely saves the building it would mean that there would be no access to the building for 12 months. Any members, the public and partners could not use the property, and this is important in your decision making when applying for in membership 2023. 

The green will remain open and safe from building works whichever option we take via screening and safety barriers, shelters and facilities would be in situ.