Hellingly Bowls Club – AGM Minutes
For the AGM to held on 8th October 2025 at The Hellingly Community Hub at 2pm.
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Agenda
1a Chair’s welcome: (Suzanne Cruse) The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting.
1b Apologies for Absence received: K Jenkinson, J Angear, D Lloyd, P Lulham, J Stone, C
Stone, E Kemp, G Ibbotson, K Ibbotson, K Bray, D Prioetti, C Jeffery, W Lucas, R Reed, M
Birchmore, S Lysaght, A Murray, G Pellett, T Relf, A Walker, T Willis
1c Attendance: [32 present] J Akehurst, S Allen, C Andrews, S Beal, J Bennett, B Burt, B
Charsley, D Chawner, P Crisp, B Collier, F Doe, S Cruse, G Holmes, P Holmes, P Horrocks, J
Lusted, C Maskell, L Montgomery, B Nichols, S Nixon, A Pearce, C Pellett, R Pellett, J Relf, A
Robinson, R Simmons, M Smith, W Walker, W Wheeler, P Williams, J Wood, T Wood
2a Minutes of the last AGM on 9 th October 2024:
The minutes of the previous AGM were agreed as accurate.
2b Matters Arising:
There were no matters arising.
3 Chairman’s Report: Suzanne Cruse
Congratulations to:
– those who entered the Sussex County Competitions, particularly those who
reached the Sussex quarter-finals in the mixed pairs and the mixed fours
– Ann Robinson & Jean Akehurst Sussex selection against the Isle of Wight
– the ladies who won the Eastbourne Lighthouse Triples competition
– the ladies who won the Eastbourne Ladies League
This success has really put Hellingly Bowls Club on the map.
Thanks to those who contribute so much to the club on a regular basis.
Well done to all our members who have made this such a successful and enjoyable season
on the green and at our well supported social events.
4 Treasurer’s Report: Joy Bennett
Thanks were given to members for their support during Joy’s last year as Treasurer.
The Accounts for the year ending 30/9/25 were presented at the meeting reflecting a
surplus for the year.
The Club has had a successful financial year with particular thanks offered to:
– Jean for the tremendous success of the bar and the highly successful Open Triples
Competition.
– Mary for the great contribution made by the Shop and the Quiz nights.
– The committee members for their support.
– Charlie, George and John for their work on the grounds and replacing sleepers.
The essential improvements to the sleepers surrounding the ground will be an expense for
the year ahead.
Consideration of an electronic payment option to add to the current cash system may
need to be given in the next year or so.
Joy was thanked for all the hard work she had put into the role over many years.
5 Secretary’s Report: Roger Simmons
Communication. We are fortunate to have good communication links via Whatsapp, social
media and the website. Thank you to those that put in the hard work to keep us informed
and I would urge members to use what they find most helpful (mute unwanted
notifications and select the groups you wish to be part of).
The committee won’t ignore a helpful idea or suggestion. I would urge members to
maintain those positive contributions and consider how they might contribute to the task
of making things as good as we possibly can.
Sponsors are building, adding Care UK, DB Domestic and Sussex Roofing to our existing
banner and fixture book advertisers. Please consider supporting these organisations that
are supporting us.
The Sports Club Summer Fair was very well supported by the bowls club, which raised £545
towards improvements that will benefit all sections. [A total of £2,200 was raised].
Thanks to all those who have made the club such an enjoyable community to be part of. As
well as the handful of people that do too much, the club is blessed with many who don’t
wait to be asked – they just jump in and help out. Please keep jumping in next season.
6 Match Secretary’s Report: Suzanne Cruse
We have been blessed with good weather and a small number of changes to the
programme. Balcombe and Stella league have been introduced successfully, but we have
lost Frant from the fixture calendar in 2026.
We had no tours this year, but have 2 booked already for 2026.
Fixtures secretaries are already busy arranging their fixtures for 2026.
7 Greenkeeper’s / Groundsman Report: John Wood
Thanks to all those who help in large or small ways in the club and around the green.
Thanks to Charlie and George who contribute their time on Wednesday and Saturday
mornings throughout the year.
The green improved remarkably over the season. It has already been hollow tined and
scarified (which also rolls the green flat). It has also been reseeded over last few weeks and
fertilised. It will be mowed once or twice per month over the winter, depending on
weather and growth.
Replacement of the rotten sleepers has started. Painting of sleepers required before
installation, plus repairs to benches and installation of new battens.
Volunteers welcome 8am until 10am on Wednesday and Saturday, or as arranged with JW.
8 Membership Officer’s Report: Fran Doe
Welcome to new members who have joined this season. The club is always looking for new
members who will receive a warm welcome.
Fran thanked members for their support as she leaves the role.
Fran was thanked for all her hard work welcoming new members over the years.
9 Men’s Captain Report: Brian Burt
Good weather through the season meant only losing a few games in the early months and
a handful towards the end of the season.
The selection committee had the challenge of so many more players wanting a game than
there were places in the team. The ‘extras’ rink was successful in giving more people a
game.
Thanks to George, John and Charlie for their work on the green; Sandra, Ann and Joy for
the raffle; Mary for the shop and Jean all her hard work in so many important areas.
Standout memory was the tea at West Hoathly, which was fabulous – just like those
provided by our extremely talented bakers in our own club many times per season.
10 Ladies Captain Report: Jean Akehurst
Thanks were given to Sandra for the raffle and Ann and Joy for their help.
John, George and Charlie were thanked for their work on the green.
Jean thanked those who had help in the organisation and delivery of the hugely successful
Open Triples Competition and the on-going generosity of those who contribute food and
time to make club events and teas the envy of other Clubs.
The first Bingo session took place on Monday and members are encouraged to join in what
is a very enjoyable social event when they can.
60 are already booked to attend the Xmas lunch booked at The Star, Norman’s Bay.
11 Proposals and Teller Appointment: 2 tellers were appointed
Proposal 1: Change to the Club dress code (Circulated prior to the AGM)
The proposal was carried: 31 for; 1 against; no abstentions
It was agreed:
– Dress code change from white / grey bottoms to navy blue over 12 months
– Introduction of navy blue bottoms for league games from April 26
– Introduction of navy blue bottoms in friendly games along with a white
alternative between April 26 and April 27. This means greys will not be
worn from April 2026.
– Examples to be gathered from Aceit (Bowls England supplier) to ensure all
bottoms are the same shade of navy blue and to allow members to find the
size they prefer
– The club will co-ordinate the chance for members to find the size they
want, before submitting a bulk order for individual members
– the Club preference is that the BE logo is not on the bottoms
Proposal 2: Club Rules update (Circulated prior to the AGM)
The proposal was carried by unanimous decision.
It was agreed to make the following revisions to the Club Rules:
– Combination of the Social Membership Rules with Full Membership Rules
– Addition of the Safeguarding Officer to the Committee
– Notice for the AGM to be extended from 7 to 14 days
– Proposals for the AGM to be reduced from 14 days to 7 days
– Smoking and the use of vapes is prohibited on the premises at all times
– Dress code revised to Blues and Whites
12 Election of Officers and Committee:
Position Appointed Proposed Seconded
Chair Suzanne Cruse P Lulham R Simmons
Vice Chair Ann Robinson J Akehurst J Bennett
Treasurer Wendy Walker J Akehurst J Bennett
Secretary Roger Simmons J Bennett J Akehurst
Match Secretary Suzanne Cruse R Simmons J Akehurst
Green Keeper John Wood / C Maskell C Maskell J Akehurst
Ladies Captain Jean Akehurst J Bennett T Wood
Ladies Vice Captain Pauline Crisp S Beal P Lulham
Men’s Captain Brian Burt R Simmons S Cruse
Men’s Vice Captain William Wheeler T Wood S Beal
Membership Officer Jenny Relf R Simmons J Bennett
Safeguarding Officer John Wood J Akehurst S Cruse
Committee members
without portfolio (up
to 5)
Sandra Beal, Mary Smith, Tracy
Wood
R Simmons S Cruse
Non-Committee Appointments
Webmaster Steve Nixon R Simmons S Cruse
Sponsorship Officer No appointed
Competition
Committee (3)
Jean Akehurst, Ann Robinson,
Mary Smith
S Cruse B Burt
13 Any other business – at the discretion of the Chair
Geoff Holmes thanked the committee for their work and the delivery of an enjoyable
AGM.
14 Future Dates:
Date of 2026 Open Day – Saturday 18 th April 2026
Date for 2026 AGM – Wednesday 7 th October 2026 (subject to hub availability)
Date for next Committee Meeting – 2pm on 17 th November 2025 at Hellingly Sports Club
Meeting closed 15:15pm