How time has flown since part 3 back in June! The autumn mists and smog are swirling around Victorian Meersbrook, as we venture through this fourth and final instalment of the first ten years history. This period was quite tumultuous for the fledgling Association, as dear reader you shall see. The game is afoot!

A Poacher turned Gamekeeper ensnares the Poachers!

By 1882 it seems that issues regarding the Steward had made a return although from the minutes it becomes apparent that it was not Charles Boler, who had been a committee member for the best part of three years by this time. This was to become a particularly turbulent time for the young club, as we shall discover.

The watchful eyes of the Committee men seemed to be firmly on the mystery Steward whose identity we do not know. At a Special Committee Meeting on 27^th May 1882 Mr Boler moved that Mr Kaye be made Store Keeper for the ensuing year, this was resolved after being proposed and seconded by no less than esteemed Messrs Edmund H Sanderson and Charles Hoyland! Also resolved at the time a motion by Mr Fairmainer stating: “the stock kept by the Steward in future be £10, and the Steward give to the Secretary a receipt for this amount and at the end of each month if required, his stock shall be taken by the Secretary, and he shall account to him for his stock & cash in hand to this amount.”

It seems the traps were baited, and they were out to catch the Steward. Three meetings later at a general meeting of September 1^st, 1882 where it is recorded in the minutes:

“The Secretary having reported that he had that day taken stock of the goods held by the Steward and found it much less than on June 30^th. It was decided to have the Steward in the room to ask him for an explanation. He said that he would resign his appointment and pay off all deficiency of his stock and also his account book.”

Mr Boler and Mr Kaye then moved that the Secretary advertise for a Steward and Stewardess and they would review any applications at a follow up meeting a week later. On the 15^th September the Committee had reviewed suitable applicants and offered the position of Steward & Stewardess to a Mr & Mrs Whadcock, with the Secretary making a point in the appointment letter, “stating the conditions on which they had been appointed”. It is not known under what conditions Mr & Mrs Whadcock had been appointed, but we can only assume that the Committee had made them strict and possibly a little too restrictive. It was to be a very short-lived appointment, just over one month later on 27^th October, we find that the Secretary reported that “the Steward, William Whadcock had resigned his appointment”.

This left the Committee in a real predicament, with the Secretary asked to contact Messrs Cubley, Cookman & Goodlad, all previous applicants, to invite them to an appointment with EH Sanderson, Mr Hand and Mr Boler to meet them to discuss the Stewards position. All the previous applicants declined the invitation. The Bowling club advertised the position again with several applications received “at the green” and “where seen by several members of the Committee who selected a few to be enquired about by Mr EH Sanderson and Mr Fairmaner who were to report to the monthly committee meeting. It seems that the ‘big guns’ had been rolled out to vet the new applicants.

Short Lived Affairs!

By the next meeting in November the decision was made after a proposal by Mr Boler that “the Steward be paid 22 shillings per week and that the profits on all non-excisable articles be reserved (namely all mineral waters) by the Committee.” The muddied waters become a little clearer. We know Mr Boler when he was Steward was paid 20 shillings per week but allowed to keep profits on non-excisable goods, so we hardly need to employ the services of a certain Mr Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson to work out what had been happening in recent times! A motion was carried that the successful applicants would be a Mr & Mrs Wilkinson who would be paid 22 shillings per week. Recalling the earlier entry of the committee awarding the steward and stewardess 20 shillings for “the extra trouble in having made all the eatables for the children’s party”, it was the Wilkinson’s that received this payment for what would be the last “juvenile party”. This was decided on January 26^th, 1883 at the monthly general meeting, but very shortly after, a special meeting held on February 10^th minutes the following:

“It was resolved on the motion of Mr Hoyland, seconded by Mr Hall that the Steward be at once discharged.

Resolved on the motion of Mr Boler, seconded by Mr Benton that a Policeman be engaged to stop in the Saloon on Saturday & Sunday nights”.

What on Earth was going on? Was there an actual Policeman on the premises? Or were they more like a Victorian version of a modern-day door security person?

Messrs Sanderson, Fairmainer & Kaye formed a subcommittee to select another Steward to be put forward for appointment by the committee, time was off the essence, the Club was going through Stewards faster than they were cigars and good Irish whiskey!

Only two days later another Special Meeting we find that a Mr & Mrs Joseph Kelly were engaged as the new Steward & Stewardess, and it was hoped “that they devote the whole of their time to their duties of the office, the salary to be 22/- per week and the engagement to be terminated by four weeks notice from either party”.

The Kelly’s were in for a baptism of fire however, and one can only assume that the ‘Club Bobby’ wasn’t in attendance on the night in question, but the Secretary once more was tasked with writing to unruly badly behaved members! Mr J.J. Gallemore & Mr F.A. Gallemore were the offenders this time, both ‘nominee members’ who were asked to give a verbal or written explanation for their poor conduct in the Saloon. With no explanation forthcoming, they were both subsequently ‘black-balled’.

That hope that Mr & Mrs Kelly were the answer to previous problems, was again to be in vain. At yet another Special Meeting held on May 25^th 1883 it was carried that “one months notice be given to the Steward Mr Joseph Kelly to terminate his engagement as Steward and his wife as Stewardess,” and there they leave the story.

Safer Hands Steward the Ship

In June of 1883, Mr & Mrs Marshall became Steward & Stewardess, ending this run of insecurity and uncertainty. It would seem that this issue at least was resolved, and the last mention in the minute books regarding the Steward is from the 7^th July 1884 with the resolution that he be allowed 5 shillings for waste in every 18 gallons of beer sold, an increase from 3 shillings and sixpence. It might have seemed that the stormy sea the Club had been sailing had calmed, however we shall see that the following period of the fledgling organisation might provide some contributory explanation as to how the Stewarding issues had arisen.

The Gathering Storm

The collection of subscriptions towards subscription shares and trouble with nominee memberships were taking its toll. As covered previously many members had their names struck from the records of the club, with a total of 27 members names erased between 1877 and 1884, with many more receiving warning letters. In the most extreme cases three ex-members were taken to Court. At the General meeting of 30^th March 1883 no less than 18 members had received letters from the Secretary informing them of their neglect to pay their subscriptions, at the same meeting a further dozen people were named as not responding to their previous notices and so were struck from the records.

I believe that the issues with subscriptions collection had become critical for the club’s cash flow, and that then, as it is now, poor cash flow to a small business or organisation can be fatal. An indication of this can be seen in the entry for February 26^th 1883 were the committee resolved that “the accounts owing by the club be paid as far as it was possible with the money in hand.” At the same meeting, the motion was passed to recover one of the billiard tables and have the balls re-turned, but the members were to be “canvassed for subscription towards the expense.” There is no mention of how this message was received in the general membership population, but one can imagine it would not have gone favourably.

By this time, the membership options had changed significantly from the original £5 share and 10 shillings & sixpence subscription, and there were 5 classes of membership. Along with the above conditions there were also subscribing members, paying £1, & 5 shillings, and non-proprietary members who paid 15 shillings per annum. On top of this there were also annual members and nominee members, so it becomes apparent why so many issues with cash and potentially Stewarding issues. It would have been a nightmare trying to differentiate between members and shareholders and collect fees all owing at different times of the year!

In what would seem an attempt to try and recoup some cash, the committee resolved at the April special meeting that Temporary Members be allowed “for any period of less than one year on such terms” as the committee “may deem advisable.” These members This would mean a rule 13 amendment at the upcoming AGM.

On the day of the AGM, 23^rd May 1883 a Bowling match of some sort was to be held at 4pm, with a ‘meat tea’ to be provided for 1 shilling & sixpence per person at 7pm before the meeting at 8pm. Perhaps these were proposed to sweeten the deal of the rule change and lift the mood of the shareholders! Another new directive appeared to be the reissuing of shares forfeited by ex-members with a proposal that a “Mr R Clarke be admitted a member in place of Mr C Padley whose share has been forfeited” upon a payment of one Guinea by Mr Clarke. At the AGM it was resolved that the rule 13 amendment go ahead, so that “the Committee may from time to time, if they shall deem it expedient to do so, resolve to admit any number of persons, not exceeding 50 per year, as temporary members. – Without requiring such person to hold a share or shares in the capital of the association.”

After the above period of constant activity, and the appointment of the Marshall’s as Steward & Stewardess in June 1883, the minutes for the remainder of 1883’s meetings seem fairly quiet. The Committee were attempting to carry on as normal, arranging the usual busy schedule of dances and entertainment, along with whist & billiards tournaments and even a picnic outing for the members! It appears at this stage on paper at least, as though the worse was behind them, with new members being admitted, and a full social calendar to help bolster the coffers. With the annual New Year Ball to look forward to on January 3^rd, we could be forgiven to think that MBC was entering 1884 on a wave of optimism. Indeed, the main topic of discussion at the January meeting was the arrangement of dances through the early part of the year to be held in January, two in February, two in March and one in April. The band for the dances was to be engaged by the newly formed ‘Recreation Sub-committee’ for the coming year “and that the cost does not exceed last year.”

By February however another sub-committee featuring Messrs Fairmainer, Cliff, Kay & Hand, be formed to “report on the financial position of the Club”. March 1884 had two meetings. At the first ‘Special’ meeting the Committee resolved that, “Counsels opinion be taken on the several questions as to the liability of Shareholders and their transferences to pay the mortgage or other debts upon or against the club”. The Clubs Solicitors, Messrs Smith, Smith & Elliott were instructed to prepare a case.

Although Counsel’s opinion is not quoted in the minutes, it appears from the minutes of 31^st March, 1884 that his advice was to take legal action as a motion was passed calling a meeting of all Shareholders to discuss “authorising actions, suits or other proceedings to be taken against any shareholder not having paid his subscription in the name of the Secretary,” and then the following bombshell, “and of considering the desirability of winding up the Association.”

At the Shareholders meeting held on 21^st April 1884 the authorisation was given to proceed as recommended by the Club Solicitor. We then find “that in the opinion of the meeting it is expedient that the dissolution of the association take place,” and that, “on being put to the meeting it was carried unanimously”.

This motion needed ratification, and it seems some confusion arose with trying to ratify it at the AGM that 30^th of May, as the meeting was made ‘Special’ to confirm or otherwise the resolution passed at the April meeting, it was the agreed that this ‘Special’ part of the meeting be adjourned until the 27^th of June. Confusingly this adjournment then resolved that this meeting be further adjourned sine die.

July 1884 saw the Association instruct the Secretary and Solicitor to bring County Court proceedings at once against, Henry Stratford, John Barton, Charles Clegg & Henry Swinscoe. By the 30^th October proceedings were also being persued against Henry Howe, John D Harrison, Charles Garland and George Kay. This was to be the last committee meeting entry before The Meersbrook Bowling Club Limited was registered at Companies House on the 11^th November 1884. There is absolutely no mention of this registration in the minute book and indeed no entry for November at all!

After an abandoned dummy run on the 22^nd, the proposition “That the Dissolution of the Association is expedient” was finally formally put to a meeting held in the club saloon on “Tuesday the 30^th day of December”, and was passed unanimously. The committee was then authorised to “sell all the personal and movable property of the Association, to The Meersbrook Bowling Club Limited for the sum of £150”. The Committee were also “hereby authorised to give up the possession of the Club premises to Mr Charles Hoyland, who appears to have been the Mortgagee for the new Company. And in a final parting shot to how things had been run by the Association and how things were going to be, that the Committee pay a further £150 “and any other monies in their hands” for discharging the debts and liabilities of the Association and subsequent expenses. That they should then raise a pro rata levy from members of the Association and that legal proceedings were to be brought against any member not willing to pay such levy.

The final minute entry lists that the following subscriptions: Charles Walker 21/, Samuel Gill 21/, Charles Boler 21/, J Tomlinson 21/ and J.H. Sanderson 2/2/, all be written off as unrecoverable. And that the following accounts be paid: Gas Co. Water Co. Wheatley & Son, Marples & Co. A. Sanderson, Rawson & Co. Gillot, Addy, Swallow, Parker, Wragg, Smith, Smith & Elliott, Hoyland, Law.

And with that ‘business as usual’ entry, this summary of the first ten years of the history of Meersbrook Bowling Club comes to an end. It was the closing of the tumultuous foundation years of the Association, and the birth of the new era for a registered Limited Company that is still trading to this day.

This summary was compiled during 2020 in the Clubs 146^th year, when the world was in the grip of a global corona virus pandemic that brought numerous challenges all around the world, everyone at MBC and the Meersbrook, Heeley and wider Sheffield Community as a whole. At the time of writing the second wave of the virus is having further impact on our day to day lives and how we interact in our working, social and sporting lives. With Christmas and the New Year on the horizon, our hopes and wishes are for a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2021 and beyond!

Ian Christopherson

Director of The Meersbrook Bowling Club Limited

19^th October 2020

Today sees the start of a series of Bowls Handicaps for full MBC members only. These handicaps have been sanctioned by the Bowls Committee and the Club Board to run every Sunday, weather permitting.

Entry will be £3 and there will be a supplementary competition for those losing the first game so everybody gets at least 2 full games. The plan is for games to be 21 up, with the handicapping aiming to make the games competitive to all. All prize money will be paid out on the day.

Contact Jack Clarke or Phil Holden to book your place, or feel free to turn up on the day but please ensure you are there before 10:45 in the morning.

The bar will be open as we have done so for the club comps previously.

Just to remind you this is open to all ‘full’ club members so even if you are not a regular bowler but fancy a game of bowls with a realistic handicap for a bit of fun and a chance to win a few quid, come and have a go!

Hope to see you there! Good luck and thanks for your support!

29th October @ 8:00 pm

The Annual General Meeting has been called for members and shareholders who wish to attend on the above date.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions a maximum of only 26 people are allowed in the club. Could members who wish to attend please let us know in advance so we have an idea of numbers.

Anyone wishing to have an item of business placed on the agenda must place it in writing to the secretary 14 days before the meeting. Emails will be accepted for this purpose to the club email address.

Thank You

It seems so long ago now but as previously communicated we raised £700 for the Palliative Care Unit at our music night and race night we held at the back end of last year and early this year. Obviously with lockdown and hospital being off limits for general visitors we couldn’t have the opportunity to present the cheque in person, so we had no choice but to post this off and hope that the funds were put to good use in these troubled times. Basically we said to the unit that they should use it to whatever use they though best at the time. Communication has been ongoing between ourselves and the unit but has been slow due to obvious reasons. We’ve had the following letters a little while now but as a lot of members are still shielding or haven’t been able to use the club yet we thought that the best thing would be to transcribe these for you. Be very proud of your fundraising efforts, they’re really making a difference as you can see below.

Dear Meersbrook Bowling Club

Thank you so much for the kind donation of £700 in honour of several of your members who were cared for on the unit. Your kindness is very much appreciated. I am sure the money will be fully utilised to ensure that current and future patients are able to be as comfortable. Please find enclosed a receipt to confirm that the donation has been paid into the Charitable Trust account for the unit.

Yours Sincerely

Rachel Bond – Ward Manager, Macmillan Palliative Care Unit

Dear All at Meersbrook Bowling Club

I can’t thank you enough for your fantastic gift of £700 to support patients in the Sheffield Palliative Care Unit. Your gift will make such a difference to patients and their families during a difficult time in their lives. You’ll help make somebody’s final days that little bit more comfortable, and bring joy to patients lives during what would otherwise be a really tough time. Gifts from generous people like you have already made a huge difference to patients lives. Just recently, gifts to the unit have provided the following:

Gifts have helped patients on the unit experience the therapeutic benefits of hydrotherapy and massage therapy, with the new hydro-therapy bath. The bath soothes discomfort, tension and stress, while helping to to significantly reduce and relieve pain.

Donations have also given patients access to complementary therapies, like aromatherapy massage and Reiki. Therapies like this help patients feel calm and relaxed, making their time in the Palliative Care Unit easier for them and their loved ones.

Our donors have transformed the Palliative Care Unit’s ‘quiet room’. The room is used by patients who want to get away from their bedside, and provides a space for them to spend quality time with their relatives and friends. Gifts have helped make the room much more comfortable for patients and their loved ones, providing a homely space where they can relax and enjoy precious time together.

These are just examples of some of the incredible things that your gift could make happen. I really can’t tell you how grateful we all are for your support, so thank you once again for caring so much about local patients.

With my very best wishes and thank you all so much for this great amount.

Kris Watson – Charity Services Officer, Sheffield Hospitals Charity.

In line with the latest Government restrictions, please note that closing times for all days is now 10pm. Last orders will be strictly called at 9:30pm to allow drinking up time. All members need to have vacated the club building by 10pm.

Also in line with Government restrictions, please note the following:

All members and partners must wear a face mask or visor upon entry to the club building, and these must be also worn while moving around the club premises to access toilets, games machines etc. The only time masks can be removed is when you are seated at your tables.

Table service is now to be strictly observed, and the area in front of the bar has been blocked off with access only for staff to collect drinks when ready to serve. Once you have sanitised and signed in please take a seat and order your drinks from there and we will gladly serve you.

It is now law that we display a QR code for the NHS Covid-19 track and trace app. If you prefer to use this method to sign in please feel free, but you must have downloaded the app beforehand.

All previously communicated restrictions and guidelines still apply.

Thank You once again for your excellent cooperation and support so far, it means so much to all those working hard to keep us all safe and keep the club open in the capacities we are allowed.

A small change to how you can book on for a game on the green for the next couple of weeks. To book a slot please contact Jack Clarke on 07963197234 – I am away on holiday so I will be unable to book you in. Thanks – Andrea

This weekend saw the MBC Club Doubles Comp (2019) played in lovely sunshine with the forecast heavy rain failing to materialise (don’t mention this to Steve Oliver). As per the previous weekend, the quality of bowling was very high with all games being very close, however not all games were nip & tuck, some pairs enjoyed big leads only to have the margins trimmed with some great comebacks staged to make it a very interesting comp. After being 13-6 down, Ian Christopherson & Paul Drabble scored on five consecutive ends to take the lead but Neil Fletcher & Dillon Christopherson held their nerve to retake the lead and see out the game to win 21-18. Both pairs had tough previous games with Neil & Dillon overcoming Jack & Nick Clarke 21-15. After a close start, Neil & Dillon stole a lead and unfortunately Jack & Nick couldn’t quite pull it back; whilst Ian & Paul had a scare against Dean Missere & Liz Burkhill as they were in front 19-18 after being 18-5 up but some great bowling on the last two ends saw them claim  the win at 21-18. In the other semi-final Mick Swift & Lisa Christopherson enjoyed a healthy lead but were pegged back by Mel Hobson & Debs Holden but some great leads from Lisa & back woods from Mick ensured their passage to the final with a 21-18 win.
Mick Swift &Lisa Christopherson raced into a 8-0 lead in the final but Neil Fletcher & Dillon Christopherson hit back to go in front themselves at 9-8. In what was arguably the turning point in the game, Mick had the last wood lying three down but his hit turned into one up in his & Lisa’s favour which then saw them to score three on the next end. The jack passed hands several times but the difference being that Neil & Dillon were reduced to scoring ones whilst Mick & Lisa pegged threes. Having said that a couple of threes brought Neil & Dillon back into the game, but Lisa lead superbly once shed’ got the jack back in her hand whilst Mick ensured no more points were conceded with some tidy bowling to run out deserved 21-17 winners.
A great afternoon’s bowling in lovely conditions, competitive but friendly games made it a pleasurable & enjoyable occasion. Thanks to everyone who turned up to make it so with extra thanks to Lisa, Ian & Jack for ensuring players & spectators were kept well watered! Congratulations to Mick & Lisa, commiserations to everyone else, but don’t worry, it’s less than two weeks before we play this years comp so who knows, it may just be your turn this time round?

2020 Club Comp Dates

Sat 5th Sept – Club Doubles Sun 20th Sept – Club Handicap Sat 26th Sept – Club Championship Sunday 4th Oct – Tomlinson Trophy (Round Robin)
To enter please contact Phil Holden on 07507730066

This weekend saw two of our outstanding club competitions played from last season from which Liz Burkhill & Jack Clarke were worthy winners.

On Saturday it was the Club Handicap which saw quite a few closely fought matches, a number of which that  involved Liz Burkhill in her progress to the final, which included a 21-19 victory over Mel Hobson in her semi-final. In the other half of the draw Ian Christopherson put up a fine showing in his semi-final to overcome Jack Clarke 21-12. In what was a great final Liz eventually got the upper hand over Ian to deservedly win 21-15.

Sunday was Club Championship day and despite the awful weather people’s competitive edge & enthusiasm wasn’t dampened with some excellent bowling all the way through the competition. Again we had two good semi-finals, at times looking like they could go either way. As it turned out it was Ian Christopherson making his second final of the weekend after beating Neil Fletcher 21-19, whilst Jack Clarke beat James Higgins 21-16 to book his final spot. It was top quality stuff in the final and despite a great game & effort by Ian Christopherson, he simply was no match for an impressive Jack Clarke who ran out a deserved 21-11 winner.

So congratulations to Liz & Jack and hard lines to Ian on what were two enjoyable days of bowling which also afforded us  a chance to catch up with friend we haven’t seen in a while. We go again this coming Saturday, 22nd August for the Club Doubles Comp (2019), be there for 10.45am for an 11.00am start. It would be nice to catch up with a few more of you  so if you haven’t done so already, get your name down by contacting Phil Holden on  07507730066 or Andrea Ainley on 07557332168

The most recent BCGBA guidelines for use of greens, now permits clubs to risk assess the number of players / blocks permitted on their own green at any time. After some discussion MBC have now revised their capacity limit. We are now permitting a maximum of 10 people onto the green during each available session. The number of people on the green at any time will be permitted to play in the format of their choice (Doubles, singles, etc) but there must be no more than 4 blocks on the green at any time. Any questions or queries please contact committee members who will be happy to discuss.

The social league are aiming to run their annual merits for 2020. I have received the entry forms that are below this morning, the closing dates are quite soon so if you wish to enter, please call or text club secretary Andrea Ainley: 07557332168 or send your entry by email: meersbrookbcsecretary@gmail.com and you will be added to the entry sheet. All of the competitions are pay on the day. To be eligible to play you must have been registered to play in the social league and played a minimum of 2 league games during the 2019 Social league season. You are also required to be registered to South Yorkshire for the 2020 season.