Buntingford Bowls Club
Annual General Meeting
PROPOSED NEW GREEN
The annual general meeting of the members of the Buntingford Bowls Club was held at the George Hotel on Thursday evening in last week. Mr G. Scarborough Taylor presided, and was supported by the Captain (Mr W.J. May) and the Hon. Sec. and Treas. (Mr J.L. Cornwell).
After the minutes of the last general meeting had been read and confirmed, the Chairman read a letter from Mr H.C. Marshall (the President of the Club), who said he regretted being unable to be present that evening.
REPORTS
Mr J.L. Cornwell read his annual report. During the past season the club had played 34 matches, and had entered for the various competitions in the East Herts. Bowls League. In this League they had scored 767 points against their opponents 606.
Mr W.J. May and Mr J. Lawrence had kindly presented gold and silver medals for a club competition, which was most successful. The Captain's Cup had not been won outright, as owing to bad weather the competition was not finished.
The finances of the club were satisfactory; on last year's workings there was a small adverse balance of 1/5, which had been defrayed that evening. (Applause).
The Chairman said he considered the report and accounts very satisfactory. In passing, he would like to add that the annual dinner, at which he had the pleasure of being present, was a most successful affair; he was sure everyone present spent a very happy evening.
The accounts and report were then passed, on the proposition of the Chairman, seconded by Mr F.B. Sharp.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mr W.J. May moved the re-election of the President (Mr H.C. Marshall). Mr Marshall was a true sport and was always willing to do his utmost for the club. He (Mr May) hoped that their president would find pleasure in supporting the ancient game of Bowls (applause)
This was seconded by Mr F.W. Butler and carried.
Mr J. Lawrence moved the re-election of the Vice-Presidents en bloc with the addition of Mr George Aston and Mr Chapman-Wood. The club was very grateful to the Vice-Presidents for their support and interest.
Mr E.J. Totman seconded.
Mr C.H. Poulton replied on behalf of the Vice-Presidents, and said he was pleased the club was going successfully.
Mr W.J. May, who has been Captain for three seasons, proposed that Mr F.W. Butler be asked to be Captain for 1926.
Mr Butler moved an amendment that Mr May be re-appointed, and this being seconded by Mr J. Lawrence was carried unanimously. The Chairman said he was pleased Mr May had reconsidered the matter. He was a man of keenness and enthusiasm, coupled with tact.
Mr F.W. Butler was unanimously appointed Vice-Captain on the proposition of Mr E.J. Totman, seconded by Mr Cornwell.
Mr Cornwell then intimated that he was no longer able to carry out the duties of Hon. Sec. and Treasurer. Mr Butler then proposed that Mr J. Lawrence be appointed. In moving this, he (Mr Butler) would like to say that the members were very grateful to Mr Cornwell for the way he had carried out the combined duties (Applause).
Mr Lawrence agreed to take over the post, and said he would do his best.
The general committee elected were as follows: Messrs W.J. May, F.W. Butler, J. Lawrence, E.J. Totman, J. Pateman, J. Boniwell, E. Birkett, F. Crouch, J.L. Cornwell, and H. Clarke.
The green committee elected were - Messrs F.W. Butler, E. Brett, J.L. Cornwell, W.J. May, E.J. Totman, and J. Lawrence.
Selection committee - The Capt. and Vice-Captain, and Messrs E.J. Totman, J. Lawrence, J. Boniwell, and F.B. Sharp.
OTHER BUSINESS
It was decided to enter the East Herts. Bowls League and the Rinks and Pairs Competitions.
The Captain said the question of a new green was on the agenda. As a matter of fact the new green did not exist, but the [sic] hoped something could be done to get a longer green than the one they had at present. When the club visited other clubs in the League, they had to play on full dized greens, and it was some time before the Buntingford players could get accustomed to the length. Mrs Ashford had kindly offered the club another site, and if the members agree a small committee might be formed to go in to the question of cost, &c.
Various suggestions were put forward, and it was eventually decided to appoint a small sub-committee to discuss the matter and report later. The committee appointed were Messrs. G. Scarborough Taylor, W.J. May, F.W. Butler, C.H. Poulton, E.J. Totman and J. Lawrence.
THANKS
A vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding brought the meeting to a close.