Present: Committee:

Presidents Report - Tony Lawley requested that the last sentence, in the report he made under this heading, should be amended with the word 'league' being deleted.

The minutes of the last meeting were taken as a true and accurate record.

Proposed - Jerry Bartley Seconded - Tony Cummings Approved

i) In the absence of a President it has been left to me to make this report.

Firstly welcome to new members and hope you will continue to uphold the standards of the CBUMA.

This has been an eventful year in more ways than one. It started with the sad loss of John Cooper. As can be seen from last years minutes Sue Cooper, following phone calls, was proposed as President. She had phoned me prior to the meeting saying that she would only take the job if I was prepared to become Vice President, this I was pleased and proud to accept.

After a quiet start to the year and just one month before the Valencian championships Sue Cooper decided to resign as President. Being new to the job this created quite a task in organising umpires for the Championships. Fortunately I had magnificent support from all the club delegates and umpires who I thank profoundly. The Championship was a great success as far as the CBUMA was concerned. I would like to thank the umpires and markers who gave up their time to officiate at the Championship.

I would add at this point that once again the CBUMA was not involved in discussions concerning local rules until about 2 weeks before the start. Qualified markers were used for the first rounds of the singles and thereafter by losing players up to the quarter finals when qualified markers officiated at the semi-finals and finals. The use of losing players for intermediate rounds is not acceptable and I know a few problems did occur when some refused to mark and the standard of others was very poor. It was left to the host clubs to provide markers. Perhaps in future the CBUMA should get more involved in not only allocating umpires but markers as well.

It has been a busy year for our two Training Officers. There were two markers courses. One at the Emerald Isle in April where 23 out of 27 passed. There followed an umpires course at Monte Mar in May/June where 15 new umpires were duly appointed. A markers course at Albir was run at the same time, which was very onerous for Tony and Harry. However they managed to pass another 11 markers. A special thanks to Harry and Tony for their hard work on behalf of the CBUMA. For umpires who qualified before the exam format was changed I would advise a refresher course with Tony and Harry because it's a combination of Tony Hancock and Harry Worth when they start their thespian situations on what happens on the green. Also another special thanks to the Emerald Isle, Monte Mar and Albir for allowing their premises to be used without cost to the association and to the umpires who gave up their time and assisted at these training courses.

We now have 35 qualified umpires and 99 qualified markers north of Alicante and 39 umpires and 140 markers south of Alicante.

With the Valencian Championships being held in the Torrevieja area next year perhaps if sufficient time is allowed the allocation of qualified markers may be possible for all rounds in the singles?

There have been 2 green inspections this year at Mazarron and El Rancho. Both passed the inspection in accordance with the Laws of the Game with slight recommendation's not covered by the Laws.

Since the last meeting there has been one alteration to the Laws issued by world bowls. This was Law 15.2 (tie breaker) in sets play. Hopefully all umpires have received a copy and amended their law books accordingly. I do have some copies here if required.

Also an incident occurred in the Almeria region concerning the use of a substitute in a singles side game. Despite advice from qualified umpires and an international umpire the National Executive Committee (now called the Lawn Bowls Directorate - LBD) have decreed that the use of substitutes in all singles matches will not be allowed in accordance with Law 51.7 If a player leaves the green and cannot return within 10 minutes the defaulting player will forfeit the game to their opponent. This has been added to the domestic regulations printed at the back of the Law book. It was felt by the LBD that there was an anomaly concerning the use of substitutes and a proposal has been put to World Bowls for inclusion in the Crystal Mark edition review being undertaken at the moment. The closing date for submissions was the 31st October.

At previous AGM's there has reference to holding forums where ideas and problems may be visited. Unfortunately this has not been possible as yet but hopefully can be implemented next year. The calendar of events is very full throughout the year and finding a slot which suits most people is not easy.

At the 2005 AGM we voted in favour of compulsory attendance at refresher courses for umpires and markers. I do not know if any such courses have been held.

Updating courses were held following the introduction of the new Crystal Mark edition in 2006.

Whilst I am still convinced of the need for refresher courses it requires experienced personnel to undertake the running and organising of any such course. If any person would like to volunteer and run refresher courses please contact me and we can discuss the logistics.

In conclusion I would like to thank June for all her help with the administration and Treasurer duties that she has carried out over the last year

Finally to wish every one a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Responses to the Vice President's Report

ii) Tony Lawley advised that refresher courses were started but they coincided with the

introduction of the New Law Book which took preference. It is anticipated that a few changes

will be made again.

iii) Harry Winfield discussed the ruling re a substitute in singles and said it should be

allowed. The matter had been referred to David Phillips (a member of the World Bowls laws

committee) who had agreed with Harry. Tony Lawley said the terminology being used must be

clarified - it is a singles element in a side game. Keith Jones said the Laws are ambiguous.

Harry went on to say that this issue had been the cause of his resignation as Head Umpire.

In 1995 he was appointed Head Umpire for Valencia which John Dugdale had said he had

confirmed to the FEB. However the LBD queried all this which Harry found very upsetting.

The December issue of the 'Flat Green Un' will publish details of all these events.

LBD is the governing body of bowls in Spain but NO body or individual can change the Laws of

the Game. Even Domestic Regulations have to be adopted and approved by World Bowls so the

inclusion re a substitute in singles cannot be considered as legal.

iv) Tony Cummings queried that as the Premier Twenty knock out competition is under way

and has a singles element in it, which Laws do we operate under? Law 17.1 allows for this. If this is used then only the singles element is forfeit not the whole game as implied.

v) Bob Donnelly is on the committee for the Valencian Championships and as yet there is no

change in the use of markers in singles. Keith advised that he has already been contacted re

discussions on the rules for this championship.

vi) Dave Melville asked about 'green inspections' especially in relation to problems with certain venues. The CBBA request the inspections - the CBUMA are concerned with the Laws

in respect of the green but do make recommendations outside of this - the CBBA are concerned with the facilities and anything not covered by the Laws.. The Federation then use the CBUMA reports.

As can be seen from the accounts there is a healthy balance showing due to the 2 Markers

courses and 1 Umpires course. Both of these involved a considerable amount of printing for the-

test papers, letters, certificates, copies of the Constitution and copies of the Code of Conduct.

It was also requested that the 'Australian' indexes be produced for the Law Books and these were

given 'free of charge' to all those who attended the course. Anybody else requiring a copy is

charged 0.30€ as a nominal fee. The recent supply of Law Books do not have the Domestic

Regulations in the back or the amendment to Law 15.2 - so these had to be printed and inserted.

All such costs have been kept to a minimum and carefully monitored.

Stock levels include - 13 ties, markers & umpires badges, 28 Law books with a further 50 of thei

latter on order.

It was decided to offer all attendees to this meeting a coffee and mince pie on arrival.

i) Colin Armitage remarked that there could have been a considerable loss without these

courses being held. A lot of the expenditure was for these courses.

ii) Harry Winfield said that the CBUMA is not a profit making organisation. It had originally been suggested that a subscription charge be made but this was not wanted. The Constitution

allows for a levy to be made if required.

iii) Tony Lawley said any new laws are not being approved until 2010 and will probably not

be issued until 2011. A balance is needed in the account as many items have to be paid for in

advance and in the past this has been covered by individuals money.

i) As the first item was for the election of President Harry Winfield read out the nomination

received - for Keith Jones proposed by Sam Russell and seconded by Tony Lawley.

This was carried unanimously and Harry wished Keith every success and happiness in his office

as President.

ii) The new President then read out the nomination for Vice President - Jerry Bartley

proposed by Harry Winfield seconded by Tony Lawley.

This was carried unanimously and Jerry was congratulated on his appointment.

iii) As is his right under the Constitution Keith asked all those present if they were in agreement with June Jones carrying on as Secretary/Treasurer - carried unanimously.

There had been only one proposal received and that was to allow lady markers and umpires to

wear a cravat instead of a tie. This would not be compulsory. It was agreed and they would be

ordered. As a further supply of ties was needed it was asked if these could be made 3"-4" longer.

i) Rick Shiel congratulated everyone on their appointments. He just wanted to give everyone

up to date information on Derek Lodge who has been very ill. Fortunately his health is

improving and he is now in Torrevieja hospital Hall 56 and can now have visitors.

ii) Rick also thanked the CBUMA for the coffee and mince pies which was appreciated.

iii) Harry Winfield had been Training Director since 1991 and now felt it time to resign.

Tony Lawley is willing to take on these duties but not the title. It was in 1991 that Harry was

approached to form an Umpires Association and 2 courses were run to get some members for

the inaugural meeting on the 22nd November 1994 at which there were 75 members mainly from

north Alicante.

After all these years and having held various 'offices' it had been a pleasure to work with so many

wonderful people - too many to mention - but sincere thanks to them for their hard work and

involvement. It was a very sad moment to be resigning as he had always been so involved with

everything but assured everyone that he was always there if needed. He thanked everyone for

their support.

iv) Keith Jones then responded to Harry -

Harry Winfield was the instigator of the CBUMA back in 1991 and since then the Association has gone from strength to strength. He was president of the CBUMA on 8 occasions between 1994 and 2004.

Harry has also been Training Officer for many years and as you are all aware his courses are not only enlightening and informative but amusing as well.

I don't know if many of you are aware but one of his jobs was as Toast Master at large functions, hence his ability to be heard.

Harry has marked Spanish National Championship finals at which I have been fortunate to play and I always tried to catch him out. I have seen the occasional twitch when he nearly forgot where he was and reply to my pointed questions but his professionalism always took over.

He has now decided to retire as Training Officer and will be greatly missed. However I am sure that should anyone require his advice on the Laws of the Game, or on the game itself he would be very available with his help.

It was felt by previous and existing officers of the CBUMA that some sort of recognition should bebe given to Harry. So he is buying everyone a drink after this meeting???

Seriously it gives me great pleasure to present Harry with this plaque in recognition of his unique

contribution to the Association and to now become an Honorary Life President.

Harry received a standing ovation from all those present.

A comment had been made that the AGM is normally held in December but the Constitution

does state November.

The date next year was set for 28th November at 10.30am at Monte Mar Bowls Club.

There being no further business the President closed the meeting at 11.40am.