AGM Proposals

This page will be used to collate proposals for future AGMs. Only "Club contacts" as listed on the Club Details and Contacts page under the News and Admin tab (who will be assumed to be acting on behalf of, and with the authority of, their respective Clubs), or "Officials" as listed on the Officials Page will be able to submit proposals which should be sent to the Webmaster via email. If you do not meet these criteria you will need to submit your proposal via your "Club contact" as indicated above. Officers reserve the right not to publish any proposals they deem to be inappropriate.

Proposals will be published as submitted (copied and pasted) along with the name of the Club, or Official making the proposal so please ensure it is correctly and appropriately worded before submission. Any proposed rule changes should include details of the existing rule to be changed including the current wording and paragraph reference numbers as currently displayed on this web site, as well as the new specific wording of the revised rule. If it is a proposed new rule rather than a change please indicate this in your proposal.

Final acceptance or rejection of any proposal will be sanctioned at the AGM as per normal, though "proposers' " will have the option to withdraw their proposal in advance of the AGM if they so wish. In order for a proposal to be voted on at the AGM it will be necessary for another Club or Officer to formally "second" the proposal in person at the AGM.

Season 25/26 Proposals for 86th AGM on 15th October 2025 at 7.00pm at Century B.C.

Proposal A - 17/7/25 from Deane Park B.C. - Allow Ladies to participate in all H&D competitions

A Revised Competition Rule 1 : The Competition shall be open to all members of affiliated clubs. No restriction shall be placed upon any member playing in more than one Competition, but they shall not play for more than one club in Harrow & District Competitions.

Current Competition Rule 1 : The Competition shall be open to all male members of affiliated clubs except for both the Coronation Shield and Portman Trophy in which female members will also be able to participate. No restriction shall be placed upon any member playing in more than one Competition, but he shall not play for more than one club in Harrow & District Competitions.

Proposal B - 29/7/25 from The Mill B.C. - Vary the staring time for Vets League matches

In order to give child minding and working bowlers etc an opportunity to participate in vets league matches and provide scope for better allocation of green time the following change is proposed:

B Revised Vets League Rule 9 : All league matches to be played Mid Week with a mutually agreed start time between 2.00pm and 6.00pm.

Current Vets League Rule 9 : All league matches to be played on Mid Week afternoons. Unless mutually agreed all league games to have a fixed starting time of 2.00p.m.

Proposal C & D - 21/8/25 from Executive Committee - Adjust the consequences if a team should arrive short of a full team for Vets and Bidgood League matches

It is felt that the current rule of conceding of a match result due to a club arriving short of a full team when the cause may be outwith their control is too harsh and suggest the following changes:

C. Revised Vets League Rule11 : Method of scoring – 2 points for overall win, 1 point for a tie. 1 point for each winning triple, ½ point for each drawn triple. Thus there will be 5 points at stake in each match. Should one team be short of 3 or less players 15 minutes after the scheduled start time, the game will start, with gaps in the number 2 positions, equivalent to the amount of missing players, of the offending team. The opposing Number 2 will bowl their 3 bowls with nobody bowling against them. If players arrive to replace the missing players they will join in at the next end and the 1,2, and 3 positions of their team on that rink can be changed at that point. if the team has more than 3 players missing 15 minutes after the scheduled start time the full 5 points will be awarded to the opponents. In addition, 5 shots will be added to the non-offending team score and 5 shots deducted from the offending teams score.

Current Vets League Rule11 : Method of scoring – 2 points for overall win, 1 point for a tie. 1 point for each winning triple, ½ point for each drawn triple. Thus there will be 5 points at stake in each match. Should one team arrive short of players, the full 5 points and +10 shots difference will be awarded to the opponents. If both teams arrive short of players the game will be void.

D Revised Bidgood League Rule15 : Should one team be short of 2 or less players 15 minutes after the scheduled start time, the game will start, with gaps in the number 2 positions, equivalent to the amount of missing players' of the offending team. The opposing Number 2 will bowl their 3 bowls with nobody bowling against them. If players arrive to replace the missing players they will join in at the next end and the 1,2, and 3 positions of their team on that rink can be changed at that point. if a club is unable to field a team , or the team has more than 2 players missing 15 minutes after the scheduled start time then the full 4 points will be awarded to the opponents. In addition, 5 shots will be added to the non-offending team score and 5 shots deducted from the offending teams score.

Current Bidgood League Rule15 : Should a club be unable to field a team or arrive short of the requisite number of players, the points will be awarded to the opponents. In addition, 5 shots will be added to the non-offending team score and 5 shots deducted from the offending teams score.

If Proposal D above is accepted the current Rule 8(i) will also be amended to remove duplication:

D.2 Revised Bidgood League Rule 8(i) : The normal start time shall be 18.15 hours week nights or, if agreed, 1000 hours weekend mornings. By mutual agreement between the 2 participating clubs matches may be played at alternate times e.g. 1400 Weekdays. Use of the mat for the first end shall be decided by the toss of a coin.

Current Bidgood League Rule 8(i) : The normal start time shall be 18.15 hours week nights or, if agreed, 1000 hours weekend mornings. By mutual agreement between the 2 participating clubs matches may be played at alternate times e.g. 1400 Weekdays. A maximum of 15 minutes shall be allowed for any delay. Where such delay exceeds 15 minutes, the points will be awarded to the non-offending club. Use of the mat for the first end shall be decided by the toss of a coin.

Proposal E - 24/8/25 from Webmaster - Adjust the consequences if a team should arrive short of a full team for Vets League Cup matches

Currently the Vets League Cup Rules are silent on how to treat matches if a team arrives short of players. to clarify treatment and provide consistency with both the Vets league and Bidgood league the follow new rule 11 is proposed with the current rule 11 being renumbered as rule 12

E(1) New Vets League Cup Rule 11 : If a club is unable to field a team, or if 15 minutes after the scheduled start time a team is short of players then the match will be awarded to the opponents.

E(2) New Vets League Cup Rule 11 (if proposal C above is approved): Should one team be short of 3 or less players 15 minutes after the scheduled start time, the game will start, with gaps in the number 2 positions, equivalent to the amount of missing players, of the offending team. The opposing Number 2 will bowl their 3 bowls with nobody bowling against them. If players arrive to replace the missing players they will join in at the next end and the 1,2, and 3 positions of their team on that rink can be changed at that point. if the team has more than 3 players missing 15 minutes after the scheduled start time the match will be awarded to the opponents.

Proposal F - 25/8/25 from Executive Committee - Remove the requirement to report the player names with the results, though the names should be listed on the signed scorecards which are retained.

In order to reduce the burden on the "Recorders" consistent with league reporting requirements Players names need only be recorded on the signed scorecards which are retained in case of any dispute in accordance with Rule 10

F Revised Competition Rule 8 : All rounds to be played-off, on or before the dates fixed. Results of Competitions should be notified as soon as possible after the game to the Recorder for that Competition, whose name and contact details are shown on the top of the Draw for that Competition on the HDBA website.

The information required is the name of the competition, the winner, and the score. The only allowed methods for sending in the result are Text message or email message, or in the case of the Portman, the Coronation Shield, and the Veterans League Cup results will be submitted via the website in a similar way to the method used for reporting League results. Sending scoresheets is no longer a requirement.

Current Competition Rule 8 : All rounds to be played-off, on or before the dates fixed. Results of Competitions should be notified as soon as possible after the game to the Recorder for that Competition, whose name and contact details are shown on the top of the Draw for that Competition on the HDBA website.

The information required is the name of the competition, the winner, and the score. In the case of a team game the winning players shall also all be named. The only allowed methods for sending in the result are Text message or email message, or in the case of the Portman, the Coronation Shield, and the Veterans League Cup results will be submitted via the website in a similar way to the method used for reporting League results. Sending scoresheets is no longer a requirement.

Proposal G 29/8/25 from Pinner B.C. - to amend the total scoring of the Portman results to points rather than shots so that it is necessary to win on at least 2 rinks to win the match.

The Portman trophy is played on the basis of 2 point per discipline rather than shots. 2 points for the singles, pairs and triples. In the event of a tie 1 point each in the pairs and triples. In the event of a tie overall, the triples play an extra end as per the existing arrangements.

Proposal H 29/8/25 from Harrow Weald B.C. - to amend the starting time of Semi Final competitions

Under Competition Rule 11 the starting time for competitions is set at 6.15pm unless a different time is mutually agreed. For particular matches in August for example and specifically Semi Final matches the light constraint becomes a factor if starting at 6.15pm.

To avoid the need for individual clubs having to negotiate a start time earlier than 6.15pm, an additional clarification is necessary, recommending a start time for Semi Final matches in August of 5.00pm.

H Revised Competition Rule 11 : The generally accepted start time for matches will be 6.15pm Monday to Friday and 10a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. Matches can be played at any other convenient time subject to mutual agreement. However the recommended start time for Semi Final matches in August is 5.00pm. If a competitor arrives more than 30 minutes after the time fixed for the game, the other may claim a "walk over". Such claims must be made to the Recorder for that competition by 10.30 p.m. on the scheduled date of the game in accordance with Rule 8.

Current Competition Rule 11 : The generally accepted start time for matches will be 6.15pm Monday to Friday and 10a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. Matches can be played at any other convenient time subject to mutual agreement. If a competitor arrives more than 30 minutes after the time fixed for the game, the other may claim a "walk over". Such claims must be made to the Recorder for that competition by 10.30 p.m. on the scheduled date of the game in accordance with Rule 8.