Club Policies

Policy Statement

Luneside & Rosebank Bowling & Recreation Club working with the North Lancs & Fylde CBA and the BCGBA has considered its responsibilities to the young people participating in bowls at our premises and within our club very carefully and has produced a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and underpinning procedures in order to set out the standards we wish to uphold in providing activities for children and safeguarding the welfare of children in our care.

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Safeguarding Adults at Risk

As well as providing safety and protection for young people we are committed to Safeguarding Adults at risk.

All adults have the right to be safe from harm and must be able to live free from fear of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This could include people with learning disabilities, mental health problems, older people and people with a physical disability or impairment. It may also include victims of domestic abuse, hate crime and anti-social behaviour. The persons' need for additional support to protect themselves may be increased when complicated by additional factors, such as, physical frailty or chronic illness, sensory impairment, challenging behaviour, drug or alcohol problems, social or emotional problems, poverty or homelessness.

Code of Practice

All Club Officials, Volunteers, Club Members and New Club Members will be required to abide by the Code of Practice and enrol with their signature.

The Code of Practice will be displayed on the Notice Board within the Clubhouse.

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Our Commitment

Luneside & Rosebank Bowling & Recreation Club is a club steeped in history (founded in 1830) and has a proud reputation of being more than just a bowling club. As such, the club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the health and well-being of all its members, ensuring a positive and enjoyable experience for all. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, management and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with the Club Safeguarding Officers – Graham Brandwood and Polly Tyrer (or a member of the Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing sub-committee).

Code of Practice

As a member of the Luneside Club, you are expected to abide by the following code of practice:

• All members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background, religious beliefs or sexual identity.
• All members must take personal responsibility in ensuring they are up to date with the rules (BCGBA, Local Leagues and Club), understand them and adhere to them.
• All members should be a positive role model, treat other players and officials with the same level of respect you would expect to be shown to you.
• Encourage everyone to enjoy sport and understand that people have different motivations for taking part.
• Use correct and proper language at all times.
• Bullying of any sort will not be tolerated.
• Smoking and/or Vaping is not allowed within the Club premises and in front of the clubhouse and conservatory. Smoking/Vaping is permissible on the other sides of the green but please be mindful of the health and wellbeing of non-smokers.
• Members should play an active role in ensuring that the club presents a welcoming environment by removing litter on and around the green and keeping the clubhouse tidy.
• Members should wear the appropriate footwear on the green, and be aware that smoking/vaping is not allowed and also restrict the use of any mobile device.
• The Luneside Club is entirely run by volunteers who freely give of their time to ensure all aspects of club life are there to be enjoyed by the membership. All members are therefore encouraged to think about how they might take on an enhanced role within the club.

League and Cup Matches

In addition to the above, anyone representing Luneside is expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner, accepting defeat with dignity and victory with modesty.

• Players should shake hands with their opponent at the start and conclusion of a match, whatever the result.
• All players must adhere to and follow the Laws of the Game as laid down by the BCGBA as well as any local rules and bye-laws which might apply.
• Away from the actual playing of their game, players should take an active role in ensuring the match runs smoothly by scoring, measuring, catering and supporting their team. This is above and beyond the personal responsibility of looking after their opponent.
• The more you are fully familiar with the laws and understand them, the less likely there is for disagreement and or disputes on the green. Always remember that if you are not sure, ask for a measure, even if your opponent is 'confident' they are closest to the jack.
• If you feel the laws are not being adhered to by your opponent and the issue cannot be resolved amicably, inform your captain who can take up the matter on your behalf (Captains are expected to act as referees during matches where an actual referee is not present).
• Players should aim to keep to agreed timings for matches and competitions and inform their captain if they are going to be late. If you are not going to be available for a match inform your captain, giving as much notice as possible.

Breaches of Conduct

NB. Serious breaches of this Code of Conduct could lead to suspension and/or expulsion from the club, as laid down in the Club Constitution.

Download Full Statement:

Introduction

Luneside & Rosebank Bowling & Recreation Club recognises its responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and accompanying legislation as follows:

• To provide and maintain a safe Clubhouse and green, safe equipment and a safe environment for members and guests, particularly for volunteers working for the Club.
• To ensure hazards are identified and that there is a regular assessment of risks.
• To provide information, instruction, and training as is necessary to ensure all can be assured of a safe and healthy working environment.
• To promote awareness of Health and Safety encouraging best practice.
• To ensure it takes appropriate protective and preventative measures.
• To ensure there is access to competent advice.

Organisation and Responsibilities

Responsibility for ensuring that the Club complies with Health and Safety responsibilities is vested in the Club's Management Committee which will arrange for an annual pre-season risk assessment in April to ensure appropriate measures are in place to eliminate/mitigate risk. In addition, the Club appoints one member, whose function is at any time to draw to the Committee's attention any risks/hazards that may not have been properly identified or where the mitigation action may be insufficient.

The Risks

As a small organisation, the Club does not employ any full or even part time staff, but Health and Safety law requires that where volunteers are used on a regular basis, (e.g. Secretary, Treasurer, Greens/grounds Staff) they should, for the purposes of the Act, be treated as employees, even if unpaid. The Club has identified the following principal areas where it needs to monitor closely risks associated with the work done by volunteers.

• Fire
• Trips/Fall
• Electricity – risk of fire and personal injury
• Chemicals/Fertilizers
• Use of machinery
• Food safety
• First aid
• Children and "Adults at Risk"

Measures in Place to Mitigate Risk

• Fire: The Fire extinguishers are annually inspected and serviced by qualified personnel.
• Trips/Fall: At the beginning of each season the premises/greens are checked to ensure that potential hazards are appropriately marked and that any necessary warning signs are visible. An Accident Book is maintained in which all incidents are recorded.
• Electricity: Electrical installations and portable electrical equipment are subject to periodic inspection and testing.
• Chemicals/Fertilizers: Chemicals and Fertilizers are held securely under lock and key and, where appropriate, use is under supervision of an individual who has been on a Pesticide Course and obtained PAI and PA6 certification.
• Use of Machinery: All machinery is kept fully maintained and regularly serviced. First time users of machinery are trained and initially supervised by experienced operators.
• Food Safety: Kitchen facilities are maintained to a high standard and meet legal requirements. Members are aware of Food Hygiene requirements.
• First Aid: The Club has a number of trained first aiders on hand. It also provides a first aid box, which is regularly checked, and displays information on how emergency assistance can be obtained. There is also a defibrillator in the conservatory.
• Children and "Adults at Risk": The Club has a clearly publicised Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Record Keeping

The following documentation is held:

• List of green equipment and manufacturers' manuals/instructions
• Simple bullet-point instructions for use of motorised or heavy equipment
• Record of training given on use of equipment
• Formal risk assessments (as necessary)
• The Accident Book

Dissemination of Health and Safety Information

A copy of this Health and Safety statement is displayed within the Club. Members are asked to familiarise themselves with the content and if necessary, to draw the attention of Committee members to any areas of concern.

Introduction

As a registered Club we are bound by Law to comply with regulations relating to the holding of personal data by Luneside & Rosebank Bowling & Recreation Club.

Luneside & Rosebank Bowling & Recreation Club holds certain personal information about you. The information we hold is that supplied to us, by you, and includes your full name, address, date of birth, home telephone number, mobile number and where applicable your contact email address. We also ask for details of any allergies, health conditions we should be aware of and an emergency contact number.

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Data Protection Controls

• As "keepers and processors" of this information, we are required by Law to have in place control measures concerning the storage and use of all personal information held.
• Each individual member is required to complete the Data Protection Form, sign and date it, agreeing that their personal information be retained by Luneside & Rosebank Bowling & Recreation Club. This will normally be done by mutual agreement when completing the annual membership form.
• This data will then be placed in a separate file and retained solely by Luneside & Rosebank Bowling & Recreation Club Secretary.
• This data will not be passed on by Luneside & Rosebank Bowling & Recreation Club to any third party for favour or financial gain.
• This data will only be used by Luneside & Rosebank Bowling & Recreation Club for purposes of social events, league match fixture information and general club business. All such communications are to be issued through the Club Secretary.
• This data will be removed upon request from the member within a time scale of 30 days from receipt of the request.
• E-mail is a useful and modern method of communication that is speedy and effective, and our preferred method of communication.

Download Full Constitution:

Name

The name of the Club is Luneside and Rosebank Bowling and Recreation Club.

Club Purposes

The purposes of the Club are to provide the amateur sport of Crown Green Bowling in Lancaster and community participation in the same.

Membership

• Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However, limitation of membership according to available facilities is allowable on a non-discriminatory basis.
• The Club may have different classes of membership and subscription on a non-discriminatory and fair basis. The Club will keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating.
• The Club Committee may refuse membership, or remove it, only for good cause such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or sport into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the members.

Annual General Meetings

The Club will hold an AGM once in every calendar year during the period between 1st October and 30th November and not more than 15 months after the last AGM. At every AGM:

• The members will elect a Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and five other members to serve until the next AGM.
• The treasurer will produce accounts of the Club for the latest financial year, audited as the Committee shall decide.
• The Committee will present a report on the Club's activities since the previous AGM.
• The members will appoint a suitable person to audit the accounts.
• The Members will discuss and vote on any resolution (whether about policy or to change the Rules) and deal with any other business put to the meeting.

All General Meetings

• All members may attend all general meetings of the Club in person.
• Such meetings need 14 clear days' written notice to members.
• The quorum for all general meetings is 15 members present or 33% of the total membership, whichever is greater.
• The Chair (in his or her absence) another member chosen at the meeting shall preside.
• Except as otherwise provided in these Rules every resolution shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast on a show of hands.
• Formalities in connection with General Meetings (such as how to put down a resolution) shall be decided by the Committee and publicised to Club Members.

Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)

An EGM shall be called by the Secretary within 14 days of a request to that effect from the Committee or on the written request of not less than 15 members signed by them. Such EGM shall be held on not less than 14 nor more than 21 days' notice at a place decided upon by the Committee or in default by the Chair.

The Committee - Role

Subject to the Rules, the Committee shall have responsibility for the management of the Club, its funds, property and affairs.

The Committee - Composition

• The Committee shall consist of at least four (namely the President, Secretary, Chairman, Treasurer) members and not more than nine members (including Officers).
• The Committee members may co-opt club members (up to the maximum permitted number) to serve until the end of the next AGM.
• Any Committee member may be re-elected or re-co-opted without limit.
• A Committee member ceases to be such if he or she ceases to be a member of the Club, resigns by written notice, or is removed by the Committee for good cause after the member concerned has been given the chance of putting his/her case to the Committee with an appeal to the Club Members, or is removed by Club Members at a general meeting.

Committee Meetings

• Whenever a Committee member has a personal interest in a matter to be discussed he/she must declare it, withdraw from that part of the meeting (unless asked to stay), not be counted in the quorum for that agenda's item and withdraw during the vote and have no vote on the matter concerned.
• At least three members must be present for the meeting to be valid.
• Committee meetings shall be held face to face.
• The Chair or whoever else those present choose shall chair meetings.
• Decisions shall be by simple majority of those voting.
• A resolution in writing signed by every Committee member shall be valid without a meeting.
• The Chair of the meeting shall not have a casting vote.

Trustees

The land and buildings known as Luneside & Rosebank Bowling and Recreation Club shall be held in trust for the membership by FOUR Trustees appointed from the members of the Club. Trustees shall remain in office until either their death or resignation, at such time a new trustee will be nominated by the Committee, and appointed by the members at the next AGM.

Subscription

The annual subscription shall be reviewed annually and shall be payable on or before 31st March each year. If a member's subscription be in arrears after 1st April the secretary shall send them a request for immediate payment.

Amendments

• These rules may be amended at a general meeting by two-thirds of the votes cast but not (if relevant) so as to jeopardise the Club's status as a Community Amateur Sports Club as first provided for by the Finance act 2002 and not in any event to alter its purpose (unless the procedure set out below has been followed) or winding up provisions.
• The Club purposes may be changed to include other eligible sports if the Committee unanimously agree and the members also agreed the change by a 75% majority of votes cast.

Winding Up the Club

• The members may vote to wind up the Club if not less than three quarters (75%) of those present and voting support that proposal at a properly convened general meeting.
• The Committee will then be responsible for the orderly winding up of the Club's affairs.
• After settling all liabilities of the Club, the Committee shall dispose of the net assets remaining to another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered charity and/or registered CASC and/or to the Club's governing body for use by them for related community sports.

Download Full Bye-Laws:

Green and Clubhouse Opening

• The opening of the green and the clubhouse to be decided by the Management Committee.
• Club Opening Hours – 9am – 10pm (unless there are extenuating circumstances).
• To comply with local council bye-laws the floodlights must be switched off at 10pm.

Bar Opening Hours

The bar shall be open at the discretion of the Management Committee and when open, in compliance with local licensing hours. The licensing hours are:

• Weekdays: 12 noon – 10pm
• Sundays: 12 noon – 10pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Good Friday: 12 noon – 10pm

League Season and Green Availability

During the league season on Tuesday and alternate Wednesday evenings the green and clubhouse will be reserved exclusively for league competition games. Similarly on Thursday and alternate Wednesday afternoons the clubhouse and green will be reserved for veteran and ladies league competitions.

At all other times the green and facilities will be available for social or casual bowls except if the Committee deem otherwise eg. For the running of a competition. The main bowling season runs from the end of March until mid-October. However, if weather conditions allow, the green can be used over the autumn/winter months.

Club Competitions

• The format of Club Competitions will be decided upon by the Committee.
• Participants in Club competitions must be present AT LEAST 15 minutes before their game is due to start or they will be liable to be scratched.

League Team Numbers and Selection

• Lancaster and Morecambe teams will be restricted to 14 players, Veterans teams to 12 and Ladies League teams to 14.
• Members can initially play for four teams eg., A Tuesday night team, the Wednesday night team, the Ladies team and the Vets team (that is the two evening teams, the ladies team and the veterans team). You cannot play for two teams in the same league.
• Each team shall be displayed on the noticeboard prior to the next game indicating the order of play in 'points difference order' as required by the BCGBA.
• The team rotation must be solely on the basis of the two lowest 'points difference' players being dropped for the next two games – preferably a home game and an away game.
• Reserves to come into the team in order of weeks 'on the bench'. These rules are subject to the availability of players.

Smoking and Vaping

No smoking or vaping is allowed anywhere in the clubhouse. Smoking is also prohibited directly outside the clubhouse and on the green. Members and/or guests are not allowed to temporarily leave the green to smoke during a match.

Electronic Devices

The use of mobile phones or other electronic devices such as i-pads are prohibited on the green.

Guests

All guests wishing to use the bowling green, table tennis or snooker table must be accompanied by a fully paid-up member. The club member shall be responsible for entering their guests in the book provided (kept in the lounge) and collecting charges for the club. (money to be placed in the tin provided and kept in the lounge)

Charges:

• Bowling - £1.00 per visit to the green.
• Snooker - £1.00 per person.

Team Averages and Match Levy

• To qualify for the best team average, a player must have played at least 75% of total matches played.
• Each player shall pay a levy of £1.00 for each game he/she plays in the Lancaster, Morecambe, Ladies and Veterans league competitions.

Code of Dress

Members shall at all times both on and around the green be reasonably dressed. Shoes must be flat with a continuous type sole when playing on the green. Open toed sandals are not permitted on the green (BCGBA ruling).

Jacks

The Club has both Black and Yellow Jacks stamped for use in league matches. Team captains, in consultation with team members, can decide which colour Jacks should be used.

Bye-Law revision last carried out in November 2021.

Crown Green Bowling is governed by the British Crown Green Bowling Association (BCGBA). The official Laws of the Game were adopted in January 2025.

Download Official Laws:

The Laws of the Game are copyright of the British Crown Green Bowling Association.