Minutes AGM 2026
1 February 10:30am – Cawston BC
Apologies: Sue Crapnell Sheringham Morley, John Landamore Aylsham, Angela King Erpingham. Minutes silence for bowlers who have passed in the last 12 months.
Chairman’s welcome
I’d like to welcome you all here today. It’s great to see everyone again, and it’s nice to be back together as we start looking forward to the season ahead.
We can look back on 2025 as another very successful year for the NANSA Bowls League. Congratulations to everyone who enjoyed success in the leagues and cups, and thank you to all the clubs that hosted tournaments and helped raise money through donations. This generosity ultimately enabled us to present a cheque for £2,500 to NANSA at the presentation lunch, which once again is a fantastic achievement — thank you all.
I would also like to thank my fellow committee members — Bill, Richard, Robert, Thelma, and Jan for their support during my first year as Chair, and Angela for continuing to maintain the league website for us.
Jan will be collecting the money today, so please see her if you have not already paid.
And while speaking of Jan, as many of you will know, she is stepping down as Treasurer after nine years of service to the NANSA Bowls League. On behalf of all the members and the committee, I would like to personally thank her for the tremendous work she has done in this role. Jan has streamlined our financial procedures and banking and has played a huge part in bringing the league fully up to date in the finance department. Her contribution has been invaluable.
As we look ahead to the new season, I’d like to wish everyone the very best of luck — may your woods run true, your measures be generous (when they’re in your favour), and the weather be just as kind as it was last year.
Fixtures Secretary
How nice to see you all this morning. We had a very good 2025 season and the league winners were: Evening triples – Aylsham Afternoon 1 – Overstrand Afternoon 2 – Felmingham Evening Pairs 1 – Banningham Evening Pairs 2 – Cawston B
The 3 wood KO competitions was won by Buxton with Overstrand runners up and hosted by Erpingham BC.
You have received the make up of the 2026 leagues, 2 clubs up and 2 clubs down in the afternoon and 1 club up and 1 club down in the pairs.
I have received 10 entries for the 2026 3 wood KO competition the draw will be held later at item 17 on the agenda.
I would just like to confirm with the clubs present that the entries are correct. Team entries are:
Banningham, Buxton, Cawston, Cromer Marrams, Erpingham, Holt, Mundesley Overstrand, Suffield Park Rooks and Suffield Park Ravens.
The Open Pairs tournament was hosted by Cawston BC and raised £653, winners were from Suffolk Park.
The Mixed Pairs hosted by Aylsham BC and raised £626, winners were from Felmingham Warriors. The Presidents Cup tournament was hosted by Suffield Park and raised £600, winners were from Holt. Treasurer Report
A spreadsheet was provided by Treasurer with breakdown of finances.
The league shows a loss of £1674.60 entirely due to the non-payment of the 2024 lunch of £1550, and a loss of £193 at this year’s lunch. League still starts 2024 with over £1200 in the bank. We had agreed to keep the starting balance around £1000 - £1500.
Income was slightly higher, year-over-year, but a big decrease in donations, offset by bigger returns from the tournaments, and slightly higher fees.
Treasurer's report
Expenditure
Bank charges, introduced by HSBC in late 2021, have been eliminated since August 2025.
The annual lunch was successful with 62 people booked, and three lunches paid for the league for NANSA guests.
The donation to NANSA was maintained at £2500, slightly lowering our initial bank balance but still within agreed range.
While we do not pay prize money now, we do pay a lot for trophies and engraving, should this be discussed for 2026?
Keep running tournaments – they really make a difference.
Donations: This dropped dramatically this year, as clubs didn’t do individual fund raisers – could this be discussed for 2026? Selling books, coffee mornings at clubs, all help whatever the sum! This year is a big year for the league!
If clubs can pay fees by BACS, it makes it easier to track payments into the account.
Loss of funds for the lunch were explained that on the day, a tip was not collected for the staff and it was felt by the committee that a tip should be provided for the good service. This year for the 2026 lunch, a collection will be made on the day.
Richard A-D said that it was an omission on the day that a tip was not collected.
The cheque book for NANSA is NANSA Community Bowls however when paying by BACS the account name is NANSA Bowls League.
President
It was suggested that the committee be re-elected en masse, a point of order was raised by Trevor Hardingham, the Chair should be elected first before other committee members, can be re-elected en masse.
Philip Fergusson was proposed as Chair by Trevor Hardingham seconded by Jan Benson. All attendees were in favour.
Other committee members are Bill Brodie President, Robert Emery Secretary, Thelma Durrant Fixtures Secretary, Richard Anderson-Dungar Vice Chair, Events Co-ordinator, Angela King Website, all proposed by Trevor Hardingham seconded by Richard Coles. All attendees were in favour.
Jan Benson was not standing for re-election as Treasurer, Judith Page was proposed by Bill Brodie and seconded by Jan Benson. All attendees were in favour.
There is a vacant committee member place if anyone would like to volunteer. No response from floor.
League entry fees are to be discussed at the autumn meeting with a view to an increase, proposed by Trevor Hardingham. Current fees are £25 for afternoon leagues, Four wood pairs £20, and Knockout Cup £10.
Tournaments 2026
Date Competition Time Hosted by 10 May 2026 Diamond Jubilee tournament 11am Holt BC 7 June 2026 Mixed Pairs tournament TBC Sheringham Morley BC 28 June 2026 Presidents Cup tournament 11am Suffield Park BC 25 July 2026 Open Pairs tournament 2.00pm Cawston BC The Diamond Jubilee Tiffany trophy has been donated by a Holt BC member. A plinth is required.
The date was set for the autumn meeting is 27 September 2026 at Cawston BC 10.30am Events Co-ordinator
Prize giving lunch at The Royal Hotel, Mundesley was attended by 65 guests. Steve Howes was thanked for his past service and presented with a thank you gift.
NANSA guests received the donation cheque with grateful thanks.
Thelma was thanked for organising the trophies and the presentation.
A possible change of venue was discussed to ensure value for money for the guests. Comparable venue at Cromer has been contacted and will be £30pp with the issue of parking. It was felt the Mundesley provides good food and value, good service and plenty of parking. The lunch is held on a Saturday so that we have sole use of the ballroom.
Working Party
A working party is to be set up to initiate Safeguarding, GDPR, and Code of Conduct. A request was made for a representative from a club other than clubs already on the committee to join working party, no volunteers from the floor. Anyone who is interested please contact Chair Philip Fergusson.
There were no amendments to the constitution.
AOB
Smallburgh and Dilham representative Trevor Hardingham, stated that this year no hot drinks will be provided for the afternoon leagues due to cost and availability of members. Cold drinks and squash will be available.
Thelma asked that clubs collect their cards for the coming season.
Life Vice Presidents nominations were proposed by the committee for service to NANSA Bowls League
• Trevor Hardingham proposed Philip Fergusson seconded Derek Battle • Angela King proposed Bill Brodie seconded Trevor Hardingham • John Filby proposed Bill Brodie seconded Ian Howe
Chair
Thank you all for the time, effort, and good humour you bring to the league, which is what really keeps it enjoyable year after year. I hope the coming season is competitive, enjoyable, and played in the great spirit that the NANSA Bowls League represents. I look forward to seeing you all throughout the season.
Date of next AGM 7 February 2027 10:30am, pre meeting 10am.
Note:
Volunteer for committee vacancy Jack Denby from Weybourne BC.
Working party volunteer Kate Denby from Weybourne BC, and Cawston BC also have a possible volunteer.
End