The Vets Merit for 2024 will be held at the Bay Horse, Adlington (PR6 9ER) on Saturday 29 June 2024. Practice will be at 10am with the start time being 10.30am. Entry fee will be £10. All entrants must have been 60 year old or older on 1st January 2024.

Book your place by calling Graham Royles (07488 266 477) or by email grahamroyles195@btinternet.com. Payment can be made by bank transfer to A/C Name: L.C.C.G.B.A., Sort Code: 30-19-56, A/C Number: 00809434 (Quote name in reference field) or by cheque payable to L.C.C.G.B.A. and posted to Mr J.K. Andrews, 64 Shrewsbury Road, Bolton, BL1 4NN.

The finalists will qualify for the Jack & Jean Isherwood Trophy at Prees on Wednesday 3 July 2024.

Selection of the Lancashire Team for the games against Cumbria, Merseyside, and Grt Manchester on Thursday 11 July 2024 will follow.

Premier League Champions & League KO Winners are invited to take part in the Lancashire CCGBA Champion of Champions Competition. Teams are to consist of 5 at home and 5 away, with matches being arranged by negotiation between teams. A contact number for the team is required.

Entries should be made to Graham Royles by 2nd April 2024 (Mobile number 07488 266 477, email grahamroyles195@btinternet.com).

The entry fee is £10 and payment can be made by bank transfer to A/C Name: L.C.C.G.B.A., Sort Code: 30-19-56, A/C Number: 00809434 or by cheque payable to L.C.C.G.B.A. and posted to Mr J.K. Andrews, 64 Shrewsbury Road, Bolton, BL1 4NN.

The draw will be made in early April and deadlines for the draw will be made at each round.

Beginning on the 11th March, the BDA will be offering a range of FREE webinars covering topics including: Safeguarding, Recruitment and Fundraising. They are available to all BCGBA affiliated clubs.

Spaces are limited, so secure your space by visiting the BDA’s Education Platform at BDA Education Platform.

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/.