MARCH NEWSLETTER

Welcome to our second newsletter (amended after the AGM to include details of fees). Below are a few items of business which have been agreed at recent committee meetings. If you would like to submit a notice, please email our secretary Joan Barrington or speak to Christine Gallagher who has agreed to edit future editions.

Fees

As agreed at the AGM, fees for the forthcoming season are: £100 for Ordinary Members (£50 first year); £50 for Restricted Members; and Free for Juniors.

Fees must be paid by Monday, 12 April. If you would like to pay in three- or six-monthly instalments, please contact our treasurer Peter Anderson on 07766 402 954.

Cash, card and cheque payments (made out to "Laurieston Bowling Club") can be made in person on Saturdays between 1pm and 3pm.

Cheques can also be posted to the club.

Internet Banking payments can be made using the following details:

Hospitality Grants

For as long as Falkirk remains under Covid-related restrictions, we will continue to receive the following four-weekly grants from the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework Business Fund: £2000 in levels two, three and four; £1400 in level one.

Funding Applications

We are currently in the process of drafting two funding applications to install loft insulation and to convert the narrow strip of land to the north of our green into an outdoor seating area.

Raffle for Party At The Green

Unsurprisingly, this year's Party At The Green music festival in aid of Mental Health Foundation (Scotland) has been cancelled due to the pandemic.

We are hoping to increase our fundraising pot to over £2000 by holding a prize raffle after our opening of the green ceremony. Date and time TBC.

For more information on this and other charitable activities, visit our Fundraising page.

External Competitions

Bowls Scotland

Capitation paperwork and fees have been submitted for the following competitions:

Eastern District BA

Their committee held a Zoom AGM and agreed that they will not be making any decisions on competitions until restrictions ease.

County (Gents)

Due to current restrictions no AGM has been held. However it has been agreed that 2020 rules will apply and that if circumstances change they may hold some competitions later in the season.

Bowls Scotland

Bowls Scotland now hosts an Online Membership system which allows players to:

Repairs & Renovations

Tables

Nine rectangular tables for the function suite have been ordered from JD Joinery. Due to the pandemic, delivery has been delayed to mid-March.

Central Heating

The boiler has been serviced by ST Gas Services. Two anthracite vertical radiators for the lounge have been installed by Alan Walker. And foil reflectors have been fitted behind all white radiators.

Roof

There has been a recurrence of a leak on the felted roof, above the corridor adjacent to the bar. Contractors have been approached to remedy the matter. And a box of internal ceiling tiles will be ordered to replace damaged tiles.

Noticeboards

Two write-on magnetic whiteboards have been ordered from Furniture At Work to replace the old pin boards. They are due in early March.

Decoration

The corridor leading into the gents toilet, and the wall opposite the gantry in the bar, have been painted by George Lumsden.

Sound System

The cables connecting the ceiling speakers to the amplifier will be moved from the committee room to the opposite end of the clubhouse by Graham Robertson Electrical & Security on 12 March. This will enable visitors who wish to play music through their phones and laptops to do so without having to access the committee room.