Newsletter February 2021

The AGM Edition

Clearly it is not possible for the club to hold an AGM at present. We may be able to run an event in the Autumn however in the meantime we intend to keep everyone updated on club news and give all members an opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions and be as involved as possible under the present circumstances. Please pass this information on to any member you know of without digital access (to the website or Facebook)

Opening for Play

One of the key questions we all want an answer to is – when can we get back out on the green? We are awaiting definitive advice from Bowls England however we can state the following: Even with the flood in January and the ice in February the green seems to be in good condition. It needed a thorough vacuum and this has been done. The one way system around the green will be in operation and access to equipment via the shed will be as it was in 2020. Current guidelines allow for a roll up either in singles or pairs. Families or people from the same household/bubble can play in larger groups on alternate rinks.

If restrictions are lifted as per the ‘roadmap’ (and that could be a very big if) then the earliest opportunity for an in-house triples game will be the weekend of April 3rd/4th. We would aim to make the toilets available at that time but the clubhouse would otherwise remain closed. Please let us know if you would be keen to support this type of start to our season. It may be possible to serve drinks outside from the weekend of April 17th/18th but the earliest we could hope for drinks inside the clubhouse would be May 22nd/23rd . We are monitoring the situation with regard to leagues starting and friendly fixtures and will keep everyone informed.

Financial News
Once the commitments for February and March have been settled then the club will hold £26,000 (+or-£250) in our accounts. This is a much more healthy position than could have been anticipated and is due to a number of factors including: grants from central government, local government and Sport England to assist with running costs, contributions from members in the form of donations and bonds, persistent reduction of costs, astute bar stewardship and a solid take-up of membership for 2021.

All financial commitments for the new green (including the additional project work of the lighting, barrier and painting) have now been met apart from the repayments required for the loan from Bowls England. The cost of the loan is £2676 per annum over eight years. However this should be seen as an ‘in perpetuity’ annual cost as a replacement carpet will be required at some point in the future.

Club turnover used to be in the region of £60,000 p.a. butour estimate for the next twelve months is closer to £12,000 (similar to 2020). Membership income has already matched our estimate for 2021 and if the gradual easing of lockdown brings an increase in costs then income (via the bar) will also rise. It is unlikely that we will need to take any major decision relating to paid bar staff before Autumn 2021 (if at all).

The £12,000 annual turnover estimate includes all likely fixed and variable costs for the next twelve months along with an estimate of £1,000 for repairs and maintenance. There is a commitment to work on the nearby trees, to increasing our Covid response (hand sanitising, signage etc)
and to some further flood defences. Also it would be wise to hold at least a 15% of turnover as contingency for any unforeseen calamity.
So, taking all likely expenditure into account and assuming a break even for 2021, there could still be £6,000 - £8,000 available for a further project, should we decide to tackle one. Please see the suggestion below, where we would welcome your comments.

Membership

It is very encouraging to see so many members taking advantage of the reduced fees for 2021. So far we have 30 bowling and 2 social members. Please do pay your subs if possible, we hope to run a season that is at least as good as 2020 and possibly better!