VPBC Newsletter – Februrary 2021

The COVID pandemic is sadly still with us, but with the rapid vaccination programme in full swing there is cause for cautious optimism. All being well, maybe we could see a return to social bowling in Spring, and perhaps a shortened league programme in Summer, but that remains to be seen.

AGM

Please note the VPBC AGM will be held on Saturday, 20 March starting at 10.30 am. This will, by necessity, be our first virtual AGM using Zoom video conferencing.

Our Zoom licence allows up to 100 virtual attendees so please note the date & time in your diary.

Nominations for election to the committee, and questions for the AGM are invited. Please email vpbcinfo@gmail.com as soon as possible, and no later than 10 March.

The formal AGM Agenda will be issued one week prior to the AGM, together with instructions on how to join the meeting.

My final newsletter as Chairman of VPBC

The past ten years have flown by so quickly! Back then we were called Promenade Bowling Club; we had three greens, one a small winter green (now gone) and two greens maintained by Sefton MBC, but only one of those greens was considered to be of league match standard. We were financially strong with around 150 members and 6 teams, all of which were men only.

Victoria Park Bowling Club is now very different.

● Our two large bowling greens, both now in tip-top league match condition are a major asset for the club – thanks to our amazing greens team volunteers.

● Another important development is our revamped Pavilion, now modern and just what we needed. Another great DIY effort by club members.

● You, our friendly members are of course our principal assets. We now have 172 members; a super position to face the year ahead.

● Communications are very important to us. Our website continues to be a great focal point for news and information, supplemented by Newsletters, Newsflashes, emails, texts, and social media (Facebook).

Very obviously 2020 was not the year we planned!

X No league matches

X No centenary celebrations

X No social events

X No Away day

X No Southport Flower Show 4-day Bowls Festival

X No Bowls for Health programme

X No inter-club friendlies

Thanks to the hard work by many of our members we were able (as soon as HMG & BCGBA allowed) to restart limited social bowling. This included Pre-booked bowling slots, Round Robins, Coaching Sessions, internal inter team matches and Club Competitions. All this whilst ensuring COVID regulations were strictly followed. It also allowed us to recruit 32 new members.

Gayle & Dave Gordon are my choice for the MEMBERS OF THE YEAR AWARD 2020. This is in recognition of the great on-line booking system they implemented and operated. It was easy to use and worked without hitch.

*Special mention to Chris Lancaster for performing research to find a suitable software solution and for hosting our website.

Winter league bowling this year was halted in December, with VPBC Panthers undefeated after 7 matches.

Sue Mountford is our new chairperson-elect, a very popular and unanimous choice. She is our first lady chair, and will undoubtedly be hardworking & enthusiastic in her new role. Sue and the new committee will ensure that bowling restarts as soon as permitted. The greens, the pavilion, 172 current paid-up members, 15 confirmed Team captains are all ready to go!

VPBC relies upon volunteers to run successfully. We currently have an urgent need for an assistant treasurer. If any member is prepared to consider helping the club in this way please email Dave Spratt our Treasurer who will explain what this role involves.

Finally, I personally plan to enjoy social and team bowling from the “back benches”. I do hope to see you on a bowling green soon.

Cheers,

Ted Morrell