Bryan Wiggans Mal Holmes
Bev Weisenburger Mike Glover
Pat Clift Greg Jennings
Cath Dennison Rachel Jennings
Dave Weisenburger Jackie Batty
Jenny Lloyd Phil Aldersley
Mike Duckworth Chris Aldersly
Geoff Rens Pete Singleton
Barbara Glover Robin Liptrot
Carol Barter Ged Marcus
John Barter Pauline Entwistle
Anthony Ashworth

Apologies Fred Miller, Jim Missen, Len Dudley, Julie Heaton, Alan Davey

 Intoductions

MG introduced and welcomed the new faces to the meeting

Seniors-MG and CB informed the meeting that a get together had been held for the senior squad members in conjunction with the adult squad. This had proved very popular and as a result a further meeting had been arranged for Sunday 13^th April 2003 at Worsley. PA apologized that the date chosen had clashed with the Little at Large at Morecambe but that it was the only date available within a hectic bowling calendar. At the time this had not been realized.

MG confirmed that the county had lodged their intent to put a mens and ladies team in the inter county competition and paid the fee but as yet had not heard anything further from Neil Le Manquais the new organizer of the event as to venues.

Adults- PA confirmed the arrangements as above. CA pointed out that due to Team England commitments Zara Glover may not be available for the first round of the adult inter county tournament. If she did not bowl in this then with the rules as they stand, it would prevent her from bowling in the final round if Lancashire were successful in getting through. She felt this was unfair considering she was representing her country. Mal Holmes agreed to look into this. Action MH

YACs. - MG informed the meeting that a proposal had been put forward that Rachel Jennings becomes joint manager of the YACs. This had been discussed with Paul Wild who welcomed Rachel's help and looked forward to working with her in the future. The meeting voted unanimously in favour of this appointment. In the absence of Paul from the meeting Rachel reported a very enjoyable YACs inter county tournament weekend had taken place when both teams bowled well and that a very good team spirit had built up amongst all the bowlers, two dedicated lady bowlers continuing although suffering quite badly. Unfortunately against very tough competition both teams just missed qualifying.

Juniors - PS reported that the u18's intercounties had taken place at Nottingham where both the girls and boys qualified for the finals. The weekend however was slightly spoilt by a complaint received about the behaviour of some of our bowlers at a party held at another hotel. This was looked into and found possibly to be exaggerated about the involvement of Lancashire bowlers but does not help to promote the sport. Possible changes are being looked at for next year to try and prevent any re-occurrence

BG confirmed that they were looking at arranging some more training days but bowling calendars filled up so fast it was proving difficult. Discussions between the junior management were going to take place after the meeting.

BG also pointed out that she had been in touch with all last years helpers for coaching and communication and received a good response for 2003. They proposed to get together over the internet to discuss training for this year Action PS/BG

Little and Large. Being held at Morecambe Sunday 13^th April. JL reported that everything was going according to plan. They had received a good response and were looking forward to a successful tournament. BW informed the meeting that they had received no entrants from Blackpool and Preston which was disappointing. Both YBC managers confirmed that, if as last year, their would be last minute entries from both these clubs .

Grand Prix Doubles. Being held at Morecambe on Sundays 10^th and 17^th August 2003. JL again reported that everything was going according to plan. She had applied for and received the sanction number and had already received a number of entrants, one from last years winners from Yorkshire. BW again pointed out the very large £1000 prize money to be won in each category. She hoped this year to get more support from Lancashire bowlers.

JL confirmed that she had pressed hard to have this as a merit tournament and had received a very positive response that this could well be the case next year. She confirmed that the tournament this year was going to be publicised in the Go Tenpin Magazine.

County Championships. Being held at Blackpool Premier Bowl on Sat/Sun 10^th/11^th May 2003. MG reported that the sanction certificate had been received. The details and entry forms were out on the notice boards and on the website and he was now waiting to receive the entries. He was hoping for a good support for this tournament considering all the complaints over the previous years about Lancs BTBA not doing anything for its members. This tournament was open only to Lancs BTBA card holding members. It had sections for both handicap and scratch bowlers and that there were no other sanctioned tournaments being held that weekend with the exception of one of the five weekends of the junior nationals. Lancs BTBA were putting £500 towards the prize fund which resulted in quite a lot of prize money being available for all the events and levels providing the number of entries were received.

Mixed Doubles. GM was still looking into this. After discussions at the meeting about when to slot it into the bowling calendar for local bowlers the best time would probably be September/October probably held at Blackpool. More details to follow.

5 Man Team Event PA/CA had been looking further into this, the idea being to give Lancashire bowlers especially, more opportunity to bowl as five man teams hopefully against some of the best from the north and the midlands area. The meeting thought that there might already be enough tournaments for our members to think about this year and possibly this would be better if held and planned for during next year. They had been talking to JL about holding it at Accrington due to the hope that a number of teams from Yorkshire would enter. They would have to ensure that they did not clash with the North West Fives.

MG suggested that a volunteer fund raising co-ordinator be sought. The meeting felt that it would be better organised through the centre reps. BW confirmed that she would fund raise for any events held at Morecambe and GM similarly volunteered for any held at Blackpool. BW&GM to action

It was suggested that centre reps or tournament/event managers contacted the bowl proprietors to find out whether there were any centre promotions which the event could be linked into and possibly some localized sponsorship obtained. Centre Reps action

An Awards Night was suggested and Rachel Jennings volunteered to look into this as a possibility.

A Race Night was also suggested.

The executive requested that a Trials committee be set up now with the purpose of using the coming three months until the next meeting to listen to and obtain ideas on how the trials should be run. This committee would then bring these ideas and recommendations to the next meeting for a full discussion. The following volunteered to form this committee: -

Mal Holmes, Geoff Rens, Robin Liptrot, Pete Singleton, Chris Aldersley, Phil Aldersley.

The Web Site. ' www.lancsbtba.co.uk.' The meeting agreed that it now become very much more sensibly used and was proving very informative and amusing to read and that it should continue in its present format. RL did request that information should be included on how to contact members of the Executive. BW said he would action this.

It was also suggested that a local calendar of events for Lancashire should be detailed.

MG pointed out the need for people to be contactable, work permitting, and to respond in reasonable time to fellow managers and committee members messages either by email or telephone. This was obviously part of good communication and essential to the running of a sports Association the size of Lancashire. Failure to do so could cause numerous problems and stress to those sometimes working to tight dead lines.

Centre Representatives. MG pointed out that he had recently been to a number of Bowling Centres around the County and generally had found the notice boards to be full of information. However there were one or two who had virtually nothing displayed on behalf of Lancs BTBA. He stressed the need for the Centre Reps to keep these upto date and interesting for our members, also pointing out that these notice boards created an image to non members of what the BTBA was all about which would in turn help to recruit more members.

It was suggested by PS,as a result of an incident when a news paper reporter turned up at an event with no point of contact, that we should appoint a Public Relations Officer to liase and contact all local news papers radio etc. in our area to highlight and gain publicity for our events. Greg Jennings volunteered to take on this responsibility.

(Email address :- gregoryjennings@hotmail.com)

MH reported that the BTBA were now intending to appoint a new Chairman for the NAYBC. He would inform the membership when more details were available.

He thanked all those present for attending the meeting pointing out how well these meetings were being supported. This could only be good for the future of Lancs BT BA.

B Wig. tabled his financial report, which was available for all present to read. In brief he reported that the counties finances were improving but that there was considerable expenditure ahead.

PS reported that he had now received confirmation that White City Bowl in Manchester would definitely be closing in June this year. He was making plans to move the YBC to Parrs Wood Manchester with the YAC league going to Worsley. He was proposing to set up a Learn to Bowl weekly session at Parrs Wood and would welcome any assistance in running this.

MH proposed and it was unanimously carried that Albert Pursglove should be made Life President of Lancashire BTBA. for services rendered to Lancashire Bowling, not forgetting the contribution made by his wife Freda.

It was with regret that Mal Holmes announced the passing away of Alf Barraclough, the Life President of Yorkshire, our condolances go out to his family and many friends.

It was with pride that MH pointed out that Fred Miller had achieved the world record for continuous bowling last month at Wigan. Congratulations from all go out to Fred for this achievement to raise money for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

BG proposed that the rules be changed concerning the Lancashire Awards presented to Juniors. She felt it unfair that the high scores awards were given only when these scores were achieved within the County Boundaries but not when juniors bowled in a sanctioned tournament outside the boundaries. A discussion took place and it was decided that awards would be given for high scores achieved as per the present list, no matter where they were gained, providing that it was a sanctioned tournament or event and that the awards secretary (BW) was informed in writing within one month of the achievement date. MH pointed out that this should apply to all members and not just juniors. The meeting agreed and voted in this new rule

MG reminded volunteers of the VIP (Volunteer Investment Programme) that was available for sporting volunteers through the Sports Council to help in voluntary work within all sports. There was no cost involved. All that was necessary was to ring a freephone number 0800 363 373 and provide a few details and you would be included as a member

Other suggestions that were put forward for consideration at the next meeting were :-

Awards Night could include Lancashire Awards to juniors, a Bowler of theYear Award

Would it be possible to have a Bowlers Role of Honour published on the web site.

7.00pm Saturday 5^th July 2003 at Morecambe Superbowl