News
SELBY BOWLING CLUB – 2025 NEWSLETTER
Thank you to all our members for your continuing support of Selby Bowling Club.
As outlined at the AGM, the club remains in a strong financial position compared to many, however as with other businesses, it faces financial challenges in the months ahead. The Management Committee is however determined to maintain and upgrade our extensive facilities where possible.
We would like to remind members that the club provides a full range of activities (indoor, outdoor and short mat bowling, snooker, bingo and events in the lounge and marquee (parties, dinners, christenings etc.). The Sunday Lunch service, Friday Fish ‘n’ Chips and Themed Food Nights are ever popular and booking is recommended.
President’s Day 2025
On Saturday 21st June 2025, Jackie Broadhead held her President’s Day. The day was very well organised including various stalls and a children’s corner, raffle and tombola. There was musical entertainment by the U3a guitar group, and in the evening was a 60’s night in the marquee with DJ Paul. Jackie thanked everyone who had helped to organise, and those helping on the day, including staff and all the members who donated cakes and raffle prizes. Overall, over £800 was raised for the club.
Club Constitution, Safeguarding and Code of Conduct
The Club Constitution has been revised to include recommendations from Bowls England and this was ratified at the AGM. Our club is now compliant with Bowls England requirements for club constitution documents, safeguarding standards and the code of conduct and discipline process. The revised constitution and other process documents are available to read in reception along with details of our safeguarding team. An electronic copy of any of the documents can be supplied on request.
The policies are for the protection of every member who uses our club. They make it clear that we all have a responsibility for the safeguarding and protection of each other and that it should be a welcoming and safe place to come to. Anyone found contravening the Code of Conduct or Safeguarding Policy may have their membership rescinded. To comply with Bowls England, each member must sign a declaration (on the reverse of your membership form) to confirm you have read and/or understand these policies and this is a condition of membership.
Membership Form
Cost increases for membership have been implemented from 1st September but again have been kept to a minimum and for the facilities we offer they are very competitive. Indoor bowling session fees remain the same as last year at £4 per 2-hour session.
Fees are due by the 1st September but can be paid up to 30th September 2025. Membership not renewed by the 30th September will be assumed to have ceased. Please ensure you complete all the membership form accurately (especially email addresses), to assist in updating club records. All the information is important, but emergency contact detail is especially so. Membership cards should be brought in (or sent in) with your membership payment so that your card can be updated for 2025/26.
All indoor league players should have renewed their membership and captains paid their league registrations before their team’s first indoor game.
Club Security
For your safety CCTV is operated at the club. Previous concerns about non-members taking advantage of member benefits have seen revised processes implemented and increased use of the membership card to support this. If you have any security concerns, please notify Paula, Sue or any committee member as soon as possible for follow up. Visitors are welcome but must be signed in and paid for (£2 charge) by a current adult member.
Club Successes
Outdoor – Again some sterling performances by our players during the season with Andy Boatwright, John Walker and Pete Lund reaching the National Championships at Leamington Spa in the Triples on 23rd August, to represent Yorkshire Bowling Association and of course, Selby BC. The same triple narrowly lost on an extra end in the Yorkshire County Final to Harrogate BC. Very well done so far and good luck at Leamington.
Also appearing at Leamington on 13th August is Libby Hancock in the Junior Ladies Pairs with Amica Fordy from Northallerton BC. Again, good luck at the Championships.
Jane Simpson is playing in the Yorkshire Bowling Association Ladies John’s Trophy team which is playing in the National Quarter Finals on Saturday 9th August.
Indoor – Several players from the club beat stiff competition across the Northern Counties (in several disciplines) to win through to the finals of the National Indoor Bowls Championships at Nottingham. A Selby Four of David Simpson (sub for Pete Heslop), Graham Pearson, John Whiteley and John Phillips competed in the O60s Fours. Mike Mansell and Mark Hughes competed in the Open Pairs and Mark Hughes in the Men’s Singles. A fantastic and memorable achievement for all to represent Selby BC at this prestigious event!
The Men’s ‘B’ team (managed by Tony Savill) won Division 3 of the Yorkshire League gaining promotion to Division 2 (see picture) and a Men’s Four of Graham Pearson, Chris Firth, John Walker and Mark Hughes lifted the Yorkshire County Fours Trophy after beating Doncaster.
The Ladies team won the Yorkshire County Indoor League Division 1 to become overall Yorkshire League Champions. A Ladies Triple of Janice Burnley, Carol Sarvent and Jane Simpson won the Yorkshire County Indoor Ladies Triples Trophy and Gemma Broadhead was again selected to represent England in the Learning Disability Bowls Munro Cup at Cardiff, winning Gold.
Life Membership was awarded at the AGM to Jane Simpson for her contribution to Club, Indoor League and various administration activities.
Sadly, we have recently lost two very long-standing Life Members, Nilar Hey and Len Carpenter. Although not bowling in recent years, in previous years they were instrumental to the club’s development and success.
Outdoor Bowling
The green remains in good condition bearing in mind the intense heat we have had at times during the summer. Brian and the team have again done a marvellous job. If you are interested in being part of the green team, please let Paula know.
Club Finals will be played on Sat/Sun 6th/7th September. Details of matches will be posted once the schedule is determined.
Outdoor bowling is from 1pm each day but earlier start times can be arranged with the greenkeeper. Bowlers will be advised when the green will close.
Indoor Bowling
Indoor session fees remain at £4.00 per 2-hour session. Locker fees remain at £3 per locker per year. Indoor league registration fee is £5.00 per player per league.
The winter indoor bowling leagues are currently being organised. Captains have already been contacted and start dates for the leagues will be advised shortly.
The marquee will be down at the end of August and re-erected on Monday 17th November until after New Year in order to host seasonal events.
Jennifer Lund will be hosting a series of events during the winter season as President of the Yorkshire Ladies Indoor Bowling Association (YLIBA), including the Ladies Indoor County Finals. Information will be posted nearer the time and look out for nomination sheets.
Organised social bowling sessions are held on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 10:30am and 12:30pm with an informal social bowling session on Thursday morning at 10.30am and 12:30pm.
All social bowlers are reminded that social bowling slots MUST be booked in advance to secure rink space. Where this is not booked in advance, places will not be guaranteed.
Indoor bowlers are strongly reminded that use of Grippo and other substances is forbidden as they damage the carpet. A big thank you to John Broadhead and Bill Emmett for vacuuming the indoor carpet and keeping the carpet in good order.
The full programme of indoor leagues and social bowling is:
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10:30am |
12:30pm |
2:30pm |
6:30pm |
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MON |
Mon Mixed Triples |
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Mon Open Pairs |
Gents Triples |
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TUES |
Social Bowling |
Social Bowling |
Ladies Triples |
Gents Fours |
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WED |
Vets Fours |
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Gents Pairs & Ladies Fours |
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THURS |
Social Bowling |
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Social League |
Mixed Pairs (& Summer League), Short Mat |
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FRI |
Social Bowling |
Social Bowling |
Vets Triples |
Friday Mixed Fours |
Dress Code for Indoor and Outdoor Bowling
Whilst the club wants members to be comfortable when undertaking their chosen sport, it also has a dress code in place for bowling, which should be adhered to. Bowling shoes (or flat soled light shoes) are required to protect the indoor carpet and outdoor green from damage. Ordinary outdoor shoes/trainers are not acceptable. Failure to follow the dress code may result in members being asked to leave the rink.
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Representative Games (Inter Club, Nationals etc.) |
Adopted from Sept 2024 Ladies wear branded black bowling trousers, bowling shorts or skirt and club shirt. From September 2025 Men will also adopt black below the waist. No jeans or chinos. Regulation bowling shoes with a flat sole and without prominent grip or raised heel. |
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Leagues Club Competitions Organised Social Bowling (Tues, Thurs & Fri) |
Branded bowling black or grey trousers, bowling shorts or skirt. Bowling shirts or plain white tops. No jeans or chinos. Regulation bowling shoes with a flat sole and without prominent grip or raised heel. |
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Roll ups |
Smart casual clothing may be worn but with regulation bowling shoes. |
The Potter’s Roadshow will be visiting the club on Tues 30th Sept, Tues 4th Nov, Tues 27th Jan & Tues 3rd Mar so you can stock up on all your favourite bowls clothing and equipment.
Short Mat
The Selby Working Men’s Club team is now established and play on Thursday evenings. Please see Geoff Whitehead if you are interested in joining.
Snooker
The Snooker room has three snooker tables available for social and league snooker. Our facilities are very popular and leagues are due to start in September.
Social Events
Evening entertainment is provided at the club in the lounge on various Saturday nights. See posters for details of dates and performers.
There are also some upcoming events, which you may be interested to attend:
Thurs 4th December – Cancer Research Quiz Night in the marquee
Sat 6th December – Soul Night / Party Night
Fri 12th December – MND Charity Ball in the marquee
Details of other events will be posted in reception.
Groups and Classes
Several U3A and other activity groups use facilities at the club. There are many varied options so if you are interested in joining any of these please contact U3A directly or ask Paula for contact details for the activity concerned.
Thank you once again to all the various committee members, captains, organisers that we have in the club (their contribution cannot be underestimated as they give up their time willingly to help the club) and to our hardworking staff. Our club remains a leading and respected club in the area and one to be proud of.
Keith Laskey, Chairman, Selby BC
