Consett Bowls Club

Annual Meeting

Mr. Ralph Alsop presided over the annual meeting of the Consett Park Bowls Club held in the Clubhouse on Monday evening when a large gathering of members attended. At the outset Mr. Alsop feelingly referred to the loss sustained by the club in the deaths of four members, viz Messrs. Thos. R. Dent, John H. Nash, Percy H. Massey and J. T. Reynolds. He felt that not only had the club suffered a grievous loss, but all of them had lost four friends whom they always loved to meet. As a token of respect to the deceased members, the gathering stood in silence for one minute.

Following the confirmation of the minutes of the last annual meeting the hon. secretary, Mr. J. W. Lake submitted the nineteenth annual report in which he stated:

"The membership has been maintained and applications for membership are being received and accepted. A number of our members have joined His Majesty's Forces and we send to them our very best greetings and wish them God speed.

The Financial position is satisfactory.

The Greens during the season were satisfactory and we are grateful to the Consett Iron Company and also to our Chairman, Mr. Ralph Alsop and Mr. Henderson of their interest in the well-being of the Club. We were able to complete all our League fixtures.

The club reached the final of the “Shimeld Bowl” Competition and in a very keen game was defeated by Burnopfield. The scores being 83 shots against 84 shots. In the League Championship we played 18 games, won 11 lost 6 and one game was drawn.

In the Mid-Week Competition 14 games were played 9 games were won and 5 were lost.

The usual Competitions were held and enjoyed by all who took part.

The Club was represented in the final of the North West Durham Pairs Competition by Messrs Ralph Alsop and J. W. Lake, and in the final of the North West Durham Rink Competition by Messrs, P. H. Downie, E. Wills, E. Tindle and J. W. Lake (s).

In the final of the County Rink Competition the Club was represented by Messrs. A. Proud, W. Burleigh, J. B. Clough and R. W. Gowland (s) and we are delighted to record their achievement in winning this Trophy. This is the first occasion that the County Rink Cup has come to Consett and to North West Durham and we congratulate the members of the Rink for their fine performance. Our Chairman, Mr. Alsop, was again unanimously elected President of the North West Durham Bowling League and also retains his place as a member of the E.B.A. Council. We offer to him our best wishes.

Moving the adoption of the report Mr. Alsop said he was delighted to see such a large attendance. It certainly augured well for the coming season.

Regarding the greens he said he regretted the fact they had been unable to open on the usual date and it was a serious disappointment to him that the greens were not in a better condition. Despite the care and attention given, the terrific weather experienced during the past winter has left the turf in a state they did not at all wish.

However, said Mr. Alsop, he had given instructions for the best expert it was possible to get hold of, to be consulted and if his services were satisfactory The Consett Iron Company Limited would retain that expert for another season (applause). W. R. Dixon seconded the adoption of the report and same was unanimously accepted.

FINANCE

The hon. treasurer, Mr E. Wills, in reading the financial statement stated the club commenced the season with a balance of £13 7s 2½d and receipts totalled £55 6s 2½d. Expenditure amounted to £41 11s 0½d leaving a balance in hand of £13 15s 2d.

On the motion of Mr. R. Rutherford and seconded by Mr. J. Barrow the financial statement was accepted as very satisfactory.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Referring to the position of President, Mr. Alsop said he knew the members would wish him to notify Sir Edward George to once again allow his name to be put forward and he had wrote him accordingly. Sir Edward however replied asking to be excused owing to his living outside the district. He (Mr. Alsop) had acknowledged the letter and on behalf of the members conveyed their deep appreciation for the interest Sir Edward had taken in the Club and that they would always retain a warm affection for him (hear-hear). Proposing Mr. Alsop as president Mr. Richard Clough said Mr. Alsop had been honoured in many ways. It was a joy to know he had succeeded Sir Edward George as Managing Director of The Consett Iron Co Ltd, and the members also shared partly in the honour which came to him when the King recognised his capabilities. If Mr. Alsop will accept the Presidency of their Club he (Mr. Clough) felt they would be highly honoured indeed. Furthermore it was a distinct advantage to have a playing President and one who was closely associated with Durham County and the E.B.A. Associations. Mr. W. R. Dixon seconded the resolution and this was carried with loud acclamation.

Accepting the position Mr. Alsop said he felt it an honour to succeed Sir Edward as President and that he had followed him in many things and would always do his best for the welfare of the club.

Mr. Alsop proposed Mr. J. Barrow as chairman and said Mr Barrow had always taken a keen interest in the Club's activities.

He hoped their new Chairman would be blessed with good health so that he could enjoy himself on the greens during the coming season. Mr. H. P. Hornsby seconded and Mr. Barrow was unanimously elected Chairman of the Committee.

In reply Mr. Barrow thanked the members for their honour and stated that since taking part in the game of Bowls he had deputised for Mr. Alsop when the latter had not been able to attend the committee meetings and he had always enjoyed doing so. He would do his best to justify his election.

The Vice-Presidents were elected en bloc with the addition of Mr. H. Hetherington. Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. W. Lake; Assistant Hon. Secretary and Treasurer Mr. E. Wills; Auditors, Messrs. B. D. Jackson and J. R. Harrison: Committee, Messrs. H. Boot, S. A. Symon, E. Tindle, W. R. Dixon, W. Charlton, R. Clough, H. P. Hornsby, J. T. Davison.

After a discussion it was decided to accept the Committee's suggestion that the Club Rink Competition be played on August 22nd and 29th and that the rinks be made up as in the Spoons Competitions.

Another Committee suggestion that the Dixon Memorial Trophy be played up to the Semi-final on Saturday, June 22nd was rejected and a motion proposed by Mr. J. T. Davison and seconded by Mr. S. Bird "That the suggestion be sent back to the Committee for reconsideration with the object of catering for Wednesday members and Saturday afternoon workers was carried.

Owing to the difficulty in obtaining Silver Spoons, it was decided to present 5s War Saving Stamps for this season's Spoons Competitions.

Explaining that the County Association had asked each Club to raise at least £5 for War Charities, Mr. Lake said the Committee had decided to place a box in the Clubhouse and hoped that the members would contribute generously to the scheme.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES

As each successful player received his award, he was congratulated by Mr. Alsop, who also paid eloquent tribute to Messrs. A. Proud. W. Burleigh, J. B. Clough and R. W. Clough for the signal honour they had bestowed on the Club by winning the Durham County Rink Cup.

A hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded a successful meeting.