Please note that any Club running an Open Competition must have an Open Certificate to run the Competition which can be obtained from the Lancashire County Secretary & NOT BCGBA as before.

At the 2022 BCGBA Annual General Meeting the green light was given to the Governance Review.

This was completed on Thursday 7th March 2024 by the formation of the BCGBA Board following receipt of the Five Regional Representatives from the National Council.

The structure of the Board, which has the right to operate with full authority in the Governance of the Association is as follows;

• Chairman – Alan Stephenson.

• Chief Executive Officer – Paul Ashmore.

• Financial Officer – Graeme Underhill.

• National Safeguarding Officer – Denise Noble.

• National Administrator – Jim McGurk.

• Competitions Officer – Yvette Gregory.

• Disciplinary Chair – Sue Todd.

• Region 1 – Steve Clamp.

• Region 2 – Vacant (Cheshire, Merseyside, Isle of Man and Wales)*

• Region 3  – Steve Cochrane.

• Region 4 – Calvin Jackson.

• Region 5 – Phil Scott.

• Independent – Graham Pickavance.

• Independent – Dan Peach.

*Region 2 is currently being advertised and the closing date is Friday 22nd March 2024.

The seminar being held on Monday 18th at Astley & Tyldesley Miners Welfare Institute will be going ahead as numbers have picked up. You can register right up to the event or just turn up on the night.

However, only three people have registered for the event at Aughton Institute near Ormskirk on the 20th March so that event is CANCELLED.

Please register for the two club development seminars by close of play on Saturday (16th March). If numbers do not increase then there is a risk that the seminars will be cancelled due to a lack of numbers. Register by emailing Ian Gill on lancsbowlsdevelopment@gmail.com. Currently only two people have registered for the Aughton Institute Seminar.

The seminars are due to be held on:

• 18 March (7pm) – Astley & Tyldesley Miners Welfare Institute (Meanley Rd, Ley Rd, Tyldesley, Astley, Manchester M29 7DW)
• 20 March (7pm) – Aughton Institute (Bold Ln, Aughton, Ormskirk L39 6SG)

There are two free Club development seminars being held in Lancashire by the County’s Development Officer (Ian Gill). Each one will start at 7pm with a presentation on a wide variety of matters, such as how to apply for grant funding and the best ways to attract new members to your club. Practical examples will be given of where clubs have had successes and if clubs would like to come along and speak about what has worked at their club they would be more than welcome. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and speak to Ian.

The sessions will be held on the following dates at two venues across the County and clubs from other counties are welcome to attend.

• 18 March (7pm) – Astley & Tyldesley Miners Welfare Institute (Meanley Rd, Ley Rd, Tyldesley, Astley, Manchester M29 7DW)
• 20 March (7pm) – Aughton Institute (Bold Ln, Aughton, Ormskirk L39 6SG)

Please register to say you are coming, and how many from your club, by contacting Ian at lancsbowlsdevelopment@gmail.com.

Please note that three of the dates have been altered for the Senior Merit qualifiers. These have been updated on the previous News Post and on the Competitions page of this website.

Qualifying rounds will be held at the following clubs. Practice will be held at 10am and matches start at 10.30am. Entry Fee is £10. Entries to be in to Graham Royles by 2nd April 2024. Entry fees to be paid 7 days before the date. 1 in 4 to qualify.

• 6 April – Monk Sports – WA1 4NF
• 13 April – Golborne Parkside BC – WA3 3HG
• 20 April – Rivington BC – BL6 7SE
• 21 April – Padgate BC – WA1 4HU
• 27 April – Atherton Botanic Gardens – M46 9AE
• 28 April – Platts Lane BC – WN2 3RA
• 4 May – Hesketh Arms BC – PR9 7NA
• 11 May – Edgeworth BC – BL7 0AP
• 12 May – Leigh BC – WN7 2HA

19 May – FINAL – Grappenhall Ex-Servicemens Club, WA4 2QG

To enter contact 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 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.