If any clubs from Lancashire would like to attend the above event at Salmesbury then they will be more than welcome. There will be lots of hints and tips on how to apply for funding and how to attract new members. Your Development Officer, Ian Gill, will be holding a similar event somewhere in Lancashire in the Spring and if any clubs would be happy to host such an event, preferably in the Wigan area, as it it is fairly central, please contact Ian.

Bowls’ Big Weekend is back for its fourth year, and is expected to be the biggest yet! Clubs can sign up to take part in the year’s event until 2nd April – so don’t delay! Make sure you get your club signed up.

With over three million people watching Bowls’ Big Weekend on national television last year, and over 560 clubs on board, bowls will be taking over England from 24th – 27th May for the 2024 event.

Each club will receive a resource pack, as well as access to an array of marketing materials to showcase your event within the community. Clubs also have access to training sessions where they can learn how to advertise their event, make the most of the day and more.

To find out more and to sign your Club up click on the button below.

Please note that the meeting at LEIGH MINERS WELFARE WN7 4EF has been moved to 14^th February, still at 7.30 p,m.

Sandie Whitaker, the Lancashire Safeguarding Officer, has now confirmed Sat 2nd March (10am to 1pm) for Safeguarding Training. This will be held at Coppull Conserative Club, Spendmore Lane, Coppull PR7 5DF. There will be Safeguarding training and/or DBS verification at this event.

Please fetch passport, driving licence, utility bill/bank statement with name and current address (dated within last 3 months) – also need proof of previous address if moved house in the last 5 years, and proof of national insurance number. A pen and pad may be useful.

Please contact Sandie to let he know if you will be attending.

Graham Royles has announced the following dates for team meetings for the Lancashire County Team:

• 7^th February at 7.30 p,m. at LEIGH MINERS WELFARE WN7 4EF
• 8^th February at 7,30 p.m. at WOOLSTON SOCIAL CLUB WA1 4AD.

If your club has any facilities that have been damaged by the recent storms there is potential funding available to assist you from Sport England. See the following link for details:

https://www.sportengland.org/news-and-inspiration/support-available-flood-damaged-facilities

Check out the new website for ‘Club Matters’ that have changed their name to ‘Buddle’.

Buddle is there to provide free learning and support resources, to inspire and strengthen clubs and community organisations offering sport and physical activity, and the professionals that work with them. 

They share the latest information, training, and tools to help clubs and organisations overcome challenges and make the most of the opportunities available to them. You can sign up to a regular newsletter.

You can view their website at https://buddle.co/.

Please note that two alterations have been made to the Laws of the Game. One is in relation to the use of electronic devices (in relation to use for health reasons) and the other regarding the ‘Hacksaw Bowling Arm’ which has been outlawed. The exact wording is set out below.

10.1    Electronic devices e.g. Mobile Phones, Smart watches etc. in active mode are not allowed on the green. Should a player fail to comply , that player shall forfeit the game. The offender(s) to receive no further score & the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score.
Interpretation
Where a player has an electronic device in active mode for Health Reason they should inform their opponent & the referee of this, & must mitigate the level of sound emitting from the device, then no sanction should apply.

APPENDIX C – ( Approved Mechanical Device)
The following Device can’t be used for Crown Green Bowling
696 DHB Hacksaw Bowling Arm
Reason is it will not hold a Crown Green Bowling Jack.

There is some useful information contained within the latest BDA Safeguarding Bulletin. Please check it out below.

The results of the Men’s and Ladies’ Champion of Champions events, held at Monk Sporks & Social Club, Warrington, can be found on the links below:

Men’s Champion of Champions – Men’s Results
Ladies Champion of Champions – Ladies Results

The full draw for the BCGBA World Club Championship can be found below, with one of the rounds being held at the Bellingham Bowling Club, Wigan, this coming Sunday.