Important Information for all members
New Outdoor Carpet
I am pleased to be able, at last, to bring you the news about replacing the outdoor carpet.
The Community Infrastructure Levy bid made by Totton & Eling Town Council was unsuccessful, as was the bid for developments at the Tennis Centre. There was inevitable frustration and disappointment from the Council which we obviously share. The GPC were given this news on 16 January by Town Clerk, Susan Cutler, and Head of Community Services, Adam Cooper.
Given that the Town Council were not in a position to fully finance a new carpet, we agreed that the Club was prepared to pay up to 50% of the cost, on the understanding that the Town Council pay no less than 50%. The Town Clerk included this in her report to the Policy and Resources Committee on 21 January. They unanimously agreed to this funding arrangement and recommended that it be approved by the full Council at their meeting on 29 January. The approval was unanimous that the Town Council and the Club each pay 50%.
It is too late to fit a new carpet in time for the coming summer season, as had been our hope when we reported progress at last November’s AGM. The quoted price from Greengauge has inevitably risen, from £42000 last May to £43750 now. To secure this price, we shall order the new carpet as soon as possible and arrange for it to be fitted in late September/early October.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. Steven
Steven Brice President, on behalf of the GPC 2 February 2026
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October 2025
Your committee, the GPC, normally meets at times when few if any members are at the Club playing bowls. When we met on Monday, we were all concerned at how little interest most of our members take in what we do on behalf of everyone at the Club. The clear evidence of this is the very limited response to requests for a Club Secretary, without which the Club cannot function, and the very few nominations that have to date been made by members for officers at the AGM. Members should not assume that, somehow, a committee will always ‘just happen’ or that any current committee will continue in perpetuity or simply decide itself who future officers should be.
All sports club AGMs are not only constitutionally necessary but are an important occasion for officers to be accountable for what they have done in the preceding year and for all members to ask questions and discuss any matters of interest and concern that they may have. It is also an opportunity for us to recognise the invaluable work done by other members for the benefit of us all. The AGM is on Friday 7th November at 2.00pm and, as usual, after the formal business there will be tea/coffee with scones jam and cream, followed by an informal forum. One of the matters for discussion in this forum will be about club competitions. Any decisions about changes should not be left to the GPC to decide without the input of members. By the time of the AGM it would be much appreciated if there could be a full list of nominations for all of the places available. Please do not assume that this year’s office holders will automatically continue into next year. I hope, therefore, that as many of you as are able will come to the AGM.
Some other matters: future key dates are Christmas Fayre on Saturday 6th December and Club Christmas Draw, with thanks to Jackie Jackson for organising this again, on Monday 15th December.
Dave Morgan will be organising a Winter Pairs Competition – details are on the noticeboard.
The following is taken from the minutes of the GPC meeting of 20th October concerning bowling shoes. “It has been brought to Kevin’s attention that some members are not wearing suitable shoes for playing on a carpet. He is trying address this matter- an email has been sent out. It was agreed that the club would follow the Bowls England guidelines that it is not necessary to wear smooth soled shoes for playing on a carpet and that flat shoes, sold as bowling shoes, are acceptable.”
Steven Brice, President, on behalf of the GPC
