Minutes of Henley in Arden Bowls Club Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 24th February 2026
Apologies
Warren Ridgeway, June Harris, Dave and Dee Lucas, Steve Marshall, Maggie Twigg, Kevin and Tracy Middleton.
Previous Minutes
These can be found on the Henley Bowls Website and were agreed by the members.
Chairman’s Report
Having solved our clubhouse roof problems, we envisaged 2025 being a year of consolidation. We were, however, outdone by the British weather being unusually hot, dry, and sunny. The green got scorched and now we have the task of restoring it. Progress has been made and it is starting to look green again.
A scorched green however did not stop our “A” team, which managed to get promoted to Division 2 of the Heart of England Over 60s league. This was due in part to an inspirational captain, and, some skilful new members of the club. Nevertheless 2026 remains a big challenge for the “A” team.
The “B” team season was less successful. Although achieving a respectable finish in Division 5 of South & West Birmingham Over 60’s they were unable to replicate their standing in the Heart of England Over 60’s, Division 5. Finishing at the bottom of the table, it is highly likely they will return to Division 6 in 2026.
Our first season in the Northfield and District Sunday Morning League (unrestricted ages) was reasonably successful bearing in mind we entered this competition to enable non-team playing members gain experience in league match play. The team managed to finish a creditable 5th (of 10) in Division 3.
The club competitions remain popular and provide essential revenue from the green fees.
And we expect these to run again in 2026.
Last season’s competitions included:
Monday Afternoon Doubles
Wednesday Morning Singles
Men’s Singles Knock Out
Ladies’ Singles Knock Out
(Mixed) Consolation Singles Knock Out (for first round losers in the above)
Doubles Day (Knock Out - played in one day)
The Thursday Singles competition did not take off and so we need to decide what, if anything, we want to do on Thursday afternoons.
There appears to be a general air of competitiveness and a feeling that members are playing better, such that we can be quite optimistic about 2026.
Treasurer’s Report
After expensive roof repairs in 2024, and having raised subscriptions and match fees, we envisaged a year of stabilisation in 2025. However, we were blindsided by the hot and sunny summer weather which scorched the green (which effectively became a slippery mud patch when the rains arrived).
As our long-time contracted green keeper had retired, we sought a new contractor to help us repair the green. The new contractor worked promptly on repairs and we have now entered into a maintenance contract that will help us protect the green going forward. Unsurprisingly the cost is more than in previous years, and for 2026 it is likely to be around £5K (which includes the urgent repair works required at the end of the 2025 season).
The future of our mowers remains quite dire. We do have a new service agent for our mowers and after some expert welding the main mower may stagger on for another season but the inevitability of replacement remains imminent,
Our bank accounts remain reasonably stable where the mission is to have sufficient reserves to cover the cost of replacing the mowers.
Our surplus for 2025 was £1690 but it is certain this will be consumed by the on-going green repairs and the likely water charges for more green irrigation in 2026.
We do not intend to raise subscriptions and green fees for 2026 season but the FPG reserve the right to do so if the finances demand it during the season.
Captains’ Reports
“A” - Rob Jacobs
The “A“ team, newly promoted in 2024 to Division 3 of Heart of England Over 60s league managed to win the close-run divisional title in 2025 by just 2 points and thus were promoted to Division 2. This was due in part to an inspirational captain, and, some skilful new members of the club. Nevertheless 2026 remains a big challenge for the “A” team.
In the South West Birmingham Over 60’s League the “A” team achieved a comfortable mid table finish in Division 3.
Following the departure of the inspirational captain. our new member, Martin Smith, has kindly agreed to be the new “A” Team Captain for the 2026 season.
‘B’ – Sandie Butler
Thanks go to everyone who took part in the “B” Team league matches last season. Whether it was one game, or commitment by the stalwart core to the whole season, we could not have done it without your support. It is not just playing members who make a difference - supporters on the balcony cheering the team on are great to see and of course someone in the kitchen for those endless cups of tea.
It was an exceptional season last year in terms of the huge number of players, 22 in total, who rallied to play for the B’s
I can honestly say we would not have come through the season without Simon Jary, either as a player or by efficiently taking over the captain’s duties when needed and going that extra mile to help. It was at an away game at Moorpool. Considering our hot dry summer of temperatures above 30 degrees on the greens the day began with torrential rain and a flooded green, but we played on as it is, after all, a long drive to go back for a replay. Late in the game measures were called and an already drenched Simon volunteered to wade out onto the water-logged green and into an enormous pool of water containing a barely visible jack and Margaret Walker’s wood. The effort was worth the reward as Margaret won the end and the game. Great effort for the team and Simon was still smiling.
Statistics from last season’s final placings:
Tuesday S&W Birmingham
The team did well to retain our position in Division 5 coming 8 out of 11 teams in the final table.
Friday Heart of England
Not our finest hour as the team finished 10 out of 10. Next season we will be in Division 6 and time to make comeback.
Statistics don’t always show the effort that has gone into the final result, some of our losses were by a mere couple of points. We did also play against some powerful teams so it is worth a mention to say we managed to beat three of the best on our home green.
Alcester - 113/107
Woodbourne - 113/103
West Midlands Travel A Team - 116/87
It was in 2015 when I first captained Henley “B” (but that is another story). Looking back on that decade I have played most, if not all, the greens in S&W Birmingham. I have had some exciting and some disastrous games and met a whole host of really great bowlers and friendly team members - it has been a privilege. However, the time has come to step back. So, all that is left to say is to wish our league players the very best of luck for a successful season in 2026.
Northfield and District
We entered this Sunday morning league (unrestricted age) to provide an opportunity for members, who had not felt comfortable in the “B” team, to get some league experience. Fielding teams of 8 in the entry Division 3 we managed a very creditable 5th position in a division of 10. As we need 8 players in this league, we will be looking for good support from members in 2026.
League Secretary’s Report
As last year, we have registered with three leagues. Already the registrations fees and affiliation to regional and national associations have exceeded £300 without us playing a bowl.
The leagues are:
South & West Birmingham over 60’s (SWB) - Tuesday mornings
Heart of England over 60’s (HOE) - Friday mornings.
Northfield & District (N&D) – Sunday mornings. (no age restrictions)
The “A” team will be in SWB Division 3 on Tuesdays & HOE Division 2 on Fridays.
The “A” team captain will be Martin Smith and Vice-Capt. Robert Jacobs
The selection plan for 2026 will be to pick teams for a month in advance, selecting the best 6 available.
The “B” team will be in SWB Division 5 on Tuesdays & probably HOE Division 6 on Fridays
The “B” team captain will be Simon Jary and Vice-Capt. Enid Elsmore.
(2 additional volunteer captains will be needed to cover for holidays, illness, etc,).
17 players represented the “B” team last year. We will appreciate a similar number again.
A selection committee of 3 (SJ, RJ & MB) will select teams for a month in advance, after Martin Smith has confirmed his selections.
Selection will be based broadly on ability/current form as far as possible from the list of those who confirm availability.
Inevitably there will be some close calls, opportunities will be given to as many as is practical.
As we are selecting for a month in advance, and the “A” team have no spares, we will be including 2 reserves for each match. There is no disappointment in being a reserve as we expect some of these to be needed each month. This happened several times last season due to illnesses, appointments etc. For home games the reserves will be welcome to come along to score/measure etc.
The N&D Sunday League will stay in division 3 (where 8 players are needed for the team) and will be captained by Carol Handy.
A volunteer for Vice-Capt. Is needed. (RJ or MB can only stand in occasionally)
20 players were used last year, 8 played 10 or more matches and similar numbers will be needed again in 2026.
CH, with some assistance, will select teams from all that are available so everyone that wants to play will get games.
These matches are certainly competitive (but not as ‘results driven’ as the “A” & “B” teams) and tend to be more sociable. Therefore, we will not be selecting just on ability, but aiming to get everyone involved that wants to be.
An update will be sought from members that want to play as much as possible and those who want only a few opportunities.
Green Keeper’s Report
Green update
Top of the green was removed and 3 pallets of new soil put on before the green was then reseeded.
Fertiliser was added in December.
Current work
Lawn sand has been applied to deal with moss.
The green will be scarified and more seed added in the next few days.
Green maintenance
This will still take place on a Monday mornings and we need people to come down on a regular basis, as there is always something to do.
In particular we need someone else to be able to use the mower, in case Simon or I are not available.
The green is cut on a Monday morning by us and Thursday morning by a contractor,
We should be open by the 21st of March.
Election of Officers
The following club officers were elected unopposed.
Chairman/Club Captain Michael Blewitt
Treasurer Rob Jacobs/Michael Blewitt
Secretary Maureen Blewitt
League Secretary Simon Jary
Green Keeping Officer Rob Jacobs
Safeguarding Officer Sue Deeley
(Co-opted FPG Member Carol Handy)
“A” Team:
Captain Martin Smith
Vice-Captain Rob Jacobs
“B” Team
Captain Simon Jary
Vice-Captains Enid Elsmore/Alan Cowan
Sunday Team
Captain Carol Handy
Vice-Captain Sue Deeley
Any Other Business
Honours Board
The meeting agreed to add Sandie Butler to the Club’s Honours Board.
Club Competitions
New start times:
Monday Doubles - 2.30pm.
Wednesday Singles - 9.30am.
Draws for these games will take place 5 minutes before; anyone arriving after this time will play at the end.
The suggestion was made that if Wednesdays become busy, we could change to 15 points, rather than 21, thus reducing the time to play each game. Unfortunately, the scoring system does not allow for the points score to be changed once the season has begun.
Members were asked to help out on club competition events e.g. organising the draw, collecting green fees, sending photo of results to the Competition Coordinator. A number of members offered support.
The failed Thursday afternoon competition was discussed and members were asked what they would like to do. It was proposed to have a Round Robin, with those turning up managing themselves. Some guidance notes will be prepared that will assist in game management.
Pre-season Spring Clean.
Cleaning and preparation of grounds/clubhouse for start of play will be held on 9th March at 10.00 am. This will involve cleaning the clubhouse, cutlery, crockery and setting out benches, furniture and some ground maintenance.
Car Parking
Cones have been purchased so that we can reserve 2 or 3 spaces for visiting teams. It will be the role of the captain to ensure these are put out (early) and collected afterwards.
Websites/Social Media
WhatsApp will remain our main channel of communication.
The Facebook page will be resurrected in order to promote the club and attract new members.
After discussion it was agreed to continue maintaining the club’s website but to include a link to the Memorial Trust website where the club has a presence as an affiliate member of the Trust.
We will endeavour to link the websites directly to the three leagues for the purposes of showing fixtures and scores.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.00pm.