To try short mat bowls just go along to a friendly roll-up session at any of the clubs. A friendly bunch of like-minded people will offer a welcome and demonstrate how the game is played. All that’s needed is a pair of flat-soled shoes or slippers and a willingness to have a go. There won’t be any charge for your first few sessions. There might even be a cup of tea on offer

Some of the Chinnor players with the JR Shield & the VSMBFL Shield

VSMBFL Presentation Night Haddenham 23/04/2019

Note: Haddenham B matches are cancelled

Note: Haddenham B matches are cancelled

1 RULES OF PLAY (a) The Rules of Play shall be as described in Clause 5 – Match Rules and shall adopt ESMBA and BSMBA rules as appropriate. (b) The Rules of play shall be reviewed from time to time and amended and additions incorporated as necessary. The approved amendments and additions shall take effect commencing a whole playing season. (c) Any questions or matter arising which is not provided for in the Rules of Play, shall be dealt with by the Management Committee whose decision shall be final. (d) Note: introducing Rules of Play during a VSMBFL match which are not part of Clause 5 shall not be permitted in any circumstances. 2 CLUB TEAMS A club team competing in the VSMBFL League and Cup Competitions shall consist of a group of players which shall be sufficient in number at any time to accommodate selection and provide contingencies. From a group of players up to twelve shall be chosen to represent a Club Team. The compositions of the twelve players may be varied from match to match at the discretion of Clubs, but shall be selected from the group with no other exceptions as provided for in the Rules. 3 REGISTRATION a) To be eligible to play in the VSMBFL league a Short Mat Bowls Club must be registered with the BSMBA b) All club members are eligible to play in the League and its competitions. c) Where a Club has more than one team in the League then the players shall play for one team only. Interchange of player or players among the teams in a multi-team Club shall not be permitted in any circumstances. 4 FEES a) League and Association fees shall be paid before the season commences for both League and individual Club Membership. b) Registration fees shall be paid by the 30th September in each season. Failure to meet these requirements shall result in forfeiture of all relevant matches until the fee is paid. 5A MATCH RULES a) Each team of up to twelve players shall play as four teams of triples. b) Each triple shall play one game of ten ends. No roll ups. 1 shot scored on the first two ends. Jack off the mat 2 shots away except first two ends when only 1 is scored. c) A match shall consist of four games. d) Each player shall play with three bowls e) For under strength teams, i.e., only 10 or 11 players available, leads and twos from the first games draw for the lead(s) only- on a different mat if possible (no limit to use). Nine players or less: concede 2 points and 10 shots for each game not played. f) League Matches not played: 7 points to 3 points + 40 shot against defaulting team (last resort as there is a full season to fit it in), TIME OF COMMENCMENT for all matches: Home Captains to confirm match date and start time (7.15pm – 7.45pm-latest) with away team Captain and welcome them on the night. g) Points shall be awarded on the following basis: - 2 points to the winner of each game: 1 point each for a draw: 2 points for the highest number of shots. h) Each team captain shall be responsible for the selection of his/her triples and in which order they are to be played. A scorecard shall be made out by each captain, clearly listing the players and the order of play and the numbers one to four to indicate the order of his/her games. i) Captains to toss for the match jack. j) The team with the highest number of shots after the completion of the games will be declared the Winner of the Match. Should the scores be tied the match points will be shared equally. The game points will stand as previously awarded. k) At least six players from each team must be present at the Time of Commencement. l) All players at the bowling end shall be positioned behind the mat (where possible) when not in charge of the rink. m) Leads and Seconds shall not proceed to the head end of the rink until the final bowl delivered by the Seconds comes to rest. n) For all practical purposes the Delivery Lines shall be judged to extend into the ditch. o) The second skip to play may stay at the head until the first skip’s first bowl has come to rest. Subsequently, visits to the head to be restricted to one visit by a skip prior to bowling their last wood of an end. p) No Coaching from Spectators. All team members can advise, with a maximum of 2 team members on the mat at one time taking care not to disturb the head but only 1 person can instruct skip. q) Firing: A visible and verbal warning must be given, including adjacent mats. Please be careful. r) Fenders: check position prior to each play - foot BEHIND FENDER not on it. s) Jack or bowl over fender – 3 shots away. t) Foot faults: warning given for first offence – wood removed thereafter. However, if whole foot is over the line the wood will be removed immediately. u) Player taken sick during game: replace like for like, e.g. lead for lead, (on different mat) v) CLUB BOWLS STICKERS must be used for all league & JR matches. Bowls without club stickers are to be removed. w) At all times players shall wear flat smooth soled heel-less shoes when on the mat. Members shall wear plain white tops or club colours above the waist and mid grey below at all League and Cup Competitions. x) Players belonging to more than one club should nominate the preferred club to play for regarding the forthcoming season. y) There will be NO SMOKING within the playing venue. z) The consumption of alcohol is not permitted on unlicensed premises e.g. School Halls. 5B John Robinson Memorial Cup Competition Rules where different from League a) Teams of 12 players play in positions drawn on the night. b) 2 Singles games drawn from 6 nominated players. Then the next 10 positions drawn in order 3 to 12. c) If only 10/11 players: draw as normal Singles, Pairs, Triples. Single(s) play lead(s) in Triples i.e. Single 1 plays position 10 and Single 2 would play position 7. If only 9 Players concede last triple with 10 shots. d) If unable to play game and no alternate date available: shots 55 – 25 against defaulting team. e) Only shots count (points not available). All other League rules apply. If none then ESMBA rules apply. 5C PENALTIES Infringement of Rules of Play shall empower the Management Committee to implement any of the following penalties: (a) Forfeiture or reduction in League/JR points. (b) The cancellation of any particular result with or without the instruction to re-play (c) A temporary or permanent suspension from the VSMBFL The above penalties may be applied to any player, or team or Club and may be implemented or enforced in any combination. 5D Special rules for 2021-22 Season only a) Because of the disruption caused by Covid clubs returning to bowling may not be able to raise full teams and therefore b) a team of 9 players can play a full game, with the leads and a drawn two from the first half playing as twos and a lead in the second half on different mats c) a team of 8 players can play a full game, with the leads and twos from the first half playing as twos and leads in the second half on different mats. d) Should any of these members not feel able when at the match to play twice, they may be substituted to play in the second session by skip(s) with the agreement of their opponents. e) Any club that can only raise 8 players for a particular fixture and know in advance that relevant players are not prepared to play two games in the fixture can arrange with their opponents in advance of the fixture to play 4 pairs games with 3 woods each f) For less than 8 players only two competitive games can be played. Rule 5A(e) will apply. g) Covid precaution may be imposed by the host club and shall be observed by all attendees including players and spectators. 6 MATCH NIGHTS Before the season commences each team shall state a fixed night on which it will normally play home matches. Any home matches that cannot be played on this fixed night shall be discussed with the appropriate away team and an alternative night agreed. This night can be anytime up until the end of the season. If both teams agree, a home fixture can be swapped with their away fixture. Should, during the season, a fixture problem arise then this will be discussed by both teams and an alternative date agreed: Should this happen less than 7 days before the planned match then the opposing team can either agree to a change or claim the match under rule 5A(f) 7 POSTPONEMENT OF MATCHES Should it become necessary (and in exceptional circumstances only), a match may be postponed By mutual consent of both teams. It is the duty of the team requesting the postponement to notify the League Fixture/Competition Secretary immediately. Note: For the purpose of rules 6&7, shortage of players shall not be treated as an exceptional circumstance. 8 MATCH RESULTS A match result sheet (issued by Fixtures Secretary) shall be supplied by the home team and made out (with full names) and signed by both captains. It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that the result sheet is in the hands of the League Fixture/Competition Secretary not later than seven days after the match has taken place. Failure to comply with this fully shall result in an AUTOMATIC loss of all points in that match. 9 NON-ARRIVAL OF TEAMS OR PLAYERS FOR SCHEDULED LEAGUE MATCH A VSMBFL Club which fails to provide a team or any part of a team for a scheduled League match at the TIME OF COMMENCEMENT shall, as described hereafter, incur the consequent penalties unless provided for elsewhere in these Rules. a) The non-arrival of a team shall lead to the forfeiture of the match by 7 – 3 points and 40 shots. b) A match may proceed with 9 players. The un-played game concedes 2 points and 10 shots. c) Appeal: A team wishing to appeal against a forfeiture decision shall lodge its appeal with the League Fixture/Competition Secretary within twenty four hours of the committed offence. 10 UNFINISHED MATCHES Any match remaining uncompleted through contingencies arising beyond the control and solution of the competing teams shall be reported to the League Fixture/Competition Secretary including notification of revised arrangements to complete the match before the season ends. Upon resumption of a match game shall recommence from the last completed end prior to suspension. 11 DISPUTES AND COMPLAINTS Prior notice of a dispute or complaint shall be submitted to the League Fixture/Competition Secretary within three days of the occurrence unless otherwise specified. The Secretary of the team or Club concerned shall also be notified. The matter shall then be considered by the Management Committee, whose decision shall be final. For the purpose of settling disputes which occur during play: - At all matches the Home Team Captain will have available an up-to-date copy of both the League Rules and the ESMBA Rules. When matches are played at neutral venues BOTH TEAM CAPTAINS will carry these Rules. Revised 31 st August 2021

Minutes of AGM held at Wendover Bowls Club 7:00pm Tuesday 31 st August 2021 Chairman Secretary Treasurer Match Secretary Malcolm Richards Malcolm Richards Bob Hine Dave Barber Members attending Beacon: Linda Coker, Peter Coker, Jenny Stallard, Tony Short Chinnor: Ann Hine Haddenham: David Gander Hawkslade: Ian Forbes Marsh Gibbon: John Thompson Stewkley: Sue Neale Thame: Ian Rutherford Wendover: Nick Razey, Sherron Razey, David Catlin, Ian MacMillan, Christine MacMillan, Ann Smith, Eric Smith, Brenda Harrison, Brian Harrison, Pauline Hobson, Malcolm Hobson, Pete Barksfield, Jill Wheeler, Bob Peel, John Brooks, Belinda Horn, Peter Horn, Mike Grieves, Anne Brooman, Ian Mackay, George Hunt, Mike Greaves, Carol Kirkpatrick, Barry Burton Westcott: Trevina Smith, Mike Smith, Bessie Rice, David Rice, Winslow: Mary Arnold Committee: Malcolm Richards, Bob Hine, David Barber Welcome The Chairman welcomed those present. Good to see so many attending. He thanked Wendover Bowls Club for hosting the evening. The AGM is your opportunity to decide how your league works; the committee’s job is to implement your wishes. Covid, the change in status of the BSMBA and housekeeping require changes to be agreed to the Constitution and Match Rules, with the important business of deciding how the league should be organised for 2021-22 to include all clubs, even with depleted numbers. 1 Apologies Chris Barksfield 2. Voting The proposal was to amend the Constitution from “one member one vote” at General Meetings to “one club (=team) one vote”. John Thompson (Marsh Gibbon) proposed this and explained the rationale. The proposal was passed unanimously. Voting for the remainder of the AGM would be on the new basis. 3. Minutes of meeting held at Haddenham Wednesday 8 th May 2019 at 8:00pm The minutes were presented as a true and accurate record. Approved by unanimous vote. The minutes were duly signed. 4. Matters Arising Secretary to write to outdoor clubs promoting short mat. Not done. The New BSMBA are contacting all known clubs that may play short mat but have never registered. 5. Correspondence Clubs may have been contacted by the ESMBA to encourage them to register, despite their decision not to at the BSMBA EGM. No club reported any contact. The BSMBA has circulated all clubs with Covid guidance to try ro ensure a consistent approach and reassure bowlers visiting other clubs. Insurance – Bob Hine emphasised the need for all clubs to haver adequate insurance, particularly £5m public liability. The BSMBA is looking into providing insurance cover at as competitive a cost as possible for those short mat clubs that need it. 6. Chairman’s Report The season 2019 – 2020 got off to a good start but was then, of course, interrupted by Covid. The league was not completed, with 3 or 4 games left to play. The John Robinson divisions were completed with the teams decided due to play the final, but that could not be held. I’m sure Dave will give you the details. It was decided not to try to complete the league or the JR but to start a new season afresh. The prime aim of tonight’s AGM is to establish the format of the league and JR for the coming season The other significant event since our last AGM was the decision by the BSMBA member clubs to no longer register their members with the ESMBA. This was partly lack of enthusiasm for ESMBA events, like the Inter County Championships where raising a ream was looking impossible, and entry into the National Championships where entries in Bucks were dwindling. The effect of this on the Vale league is that: Clubs no longer pay a £4 subscription per member to the ESMBA Clubs can now play any member against any Bucks club in competitions, like leagues, whereas before the ESMBA only permitted registered members to play in competitive games In fact the ESMBA stance is that all club members, whether they wish to play in competitive games or not, should register with them Clubs lose the facility to buy their insurance through Sutton Winson at ESMBA rates. The BSMBA is exploring an alternative insurer. Clubs should understand that at the very least they need £5m public liability cover. The BSMBA was reformed and acts as an umbrella organisation for all the County clubs. It would like a condition of playing in the leagues that all clubs register with it. This will be discussed later. The original subscription for doing that was £3 per member. That is now, for 2021-22, £10 per club (team) irrespective of number of members. We hope that we can sort out a way of playing the league, and possibly the JR, that can include all clubs, even with reduced player numbers. Hopefully, this will lead us all back in to playing short mat bowls more normally. I’m sure we have all missed not only the competitive bowling but the socialising that went with it. Covid has not gone away and the BSMBA has circulated guidelines to clubs to give some consistency to our approach, and reassurance to visiting teams that there will be appropriate precautions in place, given that all restrictions have legally been removed (for now, anyway). The Vale League would like all its member clubs, when confirming a fixture with a visiting team, to advise them of any particular precautions they want observed, such as the wearing of masks, bringing refreshments, and on the night to explain the arrangements they would like followed – for example, any social distancing, handling woods and so on. I’m pleased to report that it seems Westcott have resolved their venue problems and are now located in Bierton, Aylesbury. I’d like to thank Dave Barber for all his work in organising the league and JR and looking after the website, and Bob Hine for his work on the committee and tending the finances. And lastly, thank you to all the clubs that make the Vale league possible. Let’s hope this season leads us back to the enjoyable bowling we’ve had in the past. 7. Secretary’s Report Two issues were raised prior to the last, ill-fated, AGM Rule proposal – Peter Coker (Beacon) “There is no Vale League rule which stops a skip staying at the head until the opposing skip has bowled his first wood. ESMBA rule E) Players and Their Duties part (1) The Skip para (d) states: ‘They may remain at the head end until it is their turn to bowl’. It seems only fair to allow both skips to view the head before they bowl their first wood.” It was agreed that the second skip should have this option and the rules would be amended accordingly. Ian Macmillan (Wendover) “Noise during the course of a match which can be very distracting.” It was agreed captains should request quiet when appropriate. “Can I ask that bowls are not removed without the opposition giving consent as in the rules, ... Perhaps it would be advisable for all touchers to be marked twice and to make sure that any chalk caught in the side grips also be removed to avoid confusion.” The ESMBA rules say that only the player conceding the shot(s) may remove bowls. It is not made clear who does the measuring; the consensus is it is the team who were having the shots claimed against them. It was agreed. Where it is unclear who might have shot a third party could be asked to measure. 8. Match/Fixture Secretary’s Report From my view point, the 2019-20 season was a success until playing ceased due to Covid restrictions. The league stopped with 3 to 5 games left to play. The positions then were: Chinnor 122 points – played 16 Haddenham B 101 points - played 16 Beacon 99 points - played 17 Full results on the VSMBFL website The two division of the John Robinson were completed with the leaders being Beacon and Haddenham Blue. It was decided not to complete either of these. Fixtures for the forthcoming season will be issued when the ability of clubs to raise squads is known. At present minimum likely declared playing squads are as follows: Beacon 10 Chinnor 12 Haddenham 10-12 Marsh Gibbon 12 Stewkley 9 Wendover LG 12 Wendover DG 12 Westcott 12 Wing – to be asked Winslow 10-12. On this basis a “normal” 4 x triples league can be played with 9 clubs, 10 subject to Wing’s situation, aided by the Match Rule changes proposed. 9.Treasurer’s Report There has been very little change to the accounts during the last 27 months. The last set of published accounts was for the AGM on 8 th May 2019 when the balance stood at £826.50. Since then, we have received £13.87 which was kindly donated by Haddenham as proceeds from the presentation evening, and £1.92 interest. There were only two outgoings, both for the maintenance of the Vale website. £79.04 in 2020 and £57.46 this year for website hosting. Some time ago, we were advised that The Gross Treasurers Account with the Nationwide Building Society was no longer being supported by them and would be closed in October 2020. For that reason we transferred all the funds to a new HSBC Business Account. This was no mean feat as we had to jump through so many hoops and answer so many questions you might have thought we were transferring the entire contents of the Bank of England. The closing balance at 31st August 2021 stands at £705.79. As we have not collected subscriptions for 2020 or for this current year I do not propose any change for now. However, I am recommending that with effect from the next AGM, we should consider reinstating an annual levy to ensure we do not drain our funds to below a sustainable level. If anyone would like a copy of the consolidated accounts for the past two years, I will be happy to email this to them. The accounts were presented for acceptance. Proposer; David Gander Seconder: Peter Coker Vote - Unanimous 10. Fees for coming year None 11. Election of officers: There had been no new nominations submitted. All the existing committee members were prepared to continue. It was proposed that they all be re-elected en bloc. Proposer: Linda Coker Seconder: Sue Neale Vote: Unanimous The following will therefore form the committee for 2021-22 Chairman: Malcolm Richards Match/Fixtures Sec: Dave Barber Treasurer: Bob Hine Secretary: Malcolm Richards The current Constitution invites 2 delegates from each member team. Haddenham proposed Sue Leaver and David Gander – accepted. No other team put delegates forward. We believe that some committee discussion may need to take place this winter in view of depleted club squads and possible further virus issues. It was suggested that each team captain or their representative be invited to be included in committee discussions, if they wish, to ensure we get representative views. Agreed. 12. AGM business i) CONSTITUTION This governs the way the league is run and is an essential document that can only be changed at a General Meeting. Changes are partly required by the impending withdrawal of memberships of the ESMBA, change to the voting rule, Committee quorum and some tidying up. Amendments proposed were distributed in advance for consideration prior to discussion and vote at the AGM. The outcomes were as follows: 1) Definitions Changes proposed agreed unanimously 2) Objective Changes proposed agreed unanimously 3) Membership Changes proposed agreed unanimously 4) Fees and Subscriptions Changes proposed agreed unanimously 5) Finance and Trustees Changes proposed agreed unanimously 6) Committee Changes proposed agreed unanimously 7) Officers of the VSMBFL Changes proposed agreed unanimously 8 Annual and other General Meetings Changes proposed agreed unanimously The agreed revised Constitution will by placed on the VSMBFL website and emailed to all teams. ii) MATCH RULES These govern the way matches are played and can only be changed at a General Meeting. Changes are required to reflect the new BSMBA status and consideration for clubs who have, this 2021-22 season, insufficient members to play the full four games in a match under current rules. Amendments proposed were distributed in advance for consideration prior to discussion and vote at the AGM. The outcomes were as follows: 2. CLUB TEAMS Changes proposed agreed unanimously 3. REGISTRATION A question asked was what do teams gain from registering with the BSMBA. It was explained that as an “umbrella” organisation for teams / clubs in or near Buckinghamshire they would coordinate activities, communicate changes in rules, provide guidance on matters such as Covid, arbitrate disputes, keep watch on relevant ESMBA issues, look at insurances, arrange competitive friendly events including championships, Australian Pairs, friendly matches against local counties and seek to promote short mat bowling and encourage new player and clubs to join in activities at clubs and the BSMBA. The proposed changes were discussed but a modified and renumbered d) would be retained – interchange of player between teams not permitted. Changes proposed agreed unanimously 5A. MATCH RULES VSMBFL Changes proposed agreed unanimously 5D SPECIAL RULES FOR 2021-22 SEASON ONLY The objective is to enable all clubs to play in as normal a league as possible, with relaxations in the rules to help those clubs who could not always provide the minimum number of 10 without incurring penalties. Discussion and voting: 5D b) - Change proposed agreed unanimously 5D c) – with the proviso that if one player is unable to play twice a substitute – skip – can play a second game instead. Change proposed agreed unanimously 5D d) – passed by majority 8-1 5D e) - Change proposed agreed unanimously 5D f) – in view of prospective team sizes, proposal withdrawn. Unanimous agreement. 5D g) – Unanimous agreement. These changes would be reviewed at the next AGM. iiI) JOHN ROBINSON COMPETITION It was reluctantly agreed unanimously to postpone this until next season. 13. Any Other Business i) BSMBA events – Bob Hine explained the SM bowling events proposed at Handy Cross, open to all bowlers, and encouraged support. ii) Email addresses – to enable the VSMBFL and BSMBA to communicate by email directly with club members, only for the purpose of communicating these organisations events and information, clubs were asked if, given their members’ permissions, they would pass on email addresses to the BSMBA and VSMBFL. No club dissented but pointed out they, too, have problems getting responses. 14. Date of Next AGM: - Tuesday May 17 th 2022 at 7:00pm. Venue to be agreed; Winslow and Stewkley were possible hosts. 15. Close of AGM The chairman thanked everyone for attending and their contributions and looked forward to an enjoyable season’s bowling. The meeting closed at 9:06 pm.