How Woodspring came to be

1980 - No indoor facilities existed for local members; so members from the Weston area came together (yatton, Congresbury, Winscombe, Burnham and all Weston clubs) it was agreed that they would try to find a permeant location to play.

1983 - Number 240 Milton road became available to rent at £8000 per annum from the Co-op retail services.

The said property was split into two units: 238 Woodspring indoor bowling club (ground floor)236 Assembly rooms (first floor)

1983 - 24th of November: Mr Harold Speed (club secretary) attended a meeting with the Co-op retail manager to discuss options that would be open to the club; No.1 take a 10 year period at a cost of £164,000 (this was a conservative value and could be higher)No.2 was to purchase the freehold property at a minimum acceptable price of £96,000.
(3 months period to occept only)

1983 - 2nd of March: 236 leased to Mr & Mrs Hastings for the sum of £2400 per annum. Clarke Willmott & Clarke Solicitors

1984 -1st of February: Mr G.D. Evans of Butterworth & Jones Accountants; was asked about setting up a company for the membership, He informed Mr Clive. H. Rides that he was not in favour due to the set-up and tax costs at 38% involved were too high for the club to bear, unless absolutely essential by members or bank insistence on the matter.

1984 -18th December: an EGM was held; a full discussion about do we rent for as long as possible or do we buy the freehold? A vote by members was carried unanimously to buy 236 - 238 Milton Road.

Loans: made by members were converted into shares; this was extended to bowling clubs who also had made loans available. (These have all been paid back or waived by members)

Sports Council: also made available a £5000 grant and a loan of £2000 which was free of interest. (Now spent)

1984 - 14th of February: Nat West Bank: agreed a £50,000 business loan at 7.5% plus charges of £500 over 10 years

Repayment of the above; appears to be the only interest of members, no planning was made for the upkeep of the facilities of this property it relied solely on the good will of the few.

Constitution: the original was centred on what happens if the club failed (sports council & Nat west) plus the return to those above who had invested money. (Clubs + Members)

2006 - Major repairs were needed to the roof €70,000 a bank loan at t2Yo was agreed plus all bank charges; this almost crippled the club, again members came to the rescue and refinanced the debt. At 4% please note: this has still not been paid off

2O20- The new lighting on rinks 1 & 2 + the lounge area has been donated by a number of members once again.

2O16-2O21: The club has almost gone bankrupt twice in this time frame;

Covid-19 will be remembered for many reasons by all members; as for the club it has been a salvation, WSM council suspended our business rates and have paid us several grants to maintain the club, this has been used to repair the buildings fabric and security.

You can all see if it was not for generous donations and grants all members would have to service the costs, so we need to be pro-active in all things

Business planning here at Woodspring has never existed, over the next four years we will face a number of expensive projects so we need to look at obtaining funding etc. but to obtain these we may well need to bring our constitution into line with their thinking. (Perhaps o percentage should be returned bock to the original clubs)#

This information was found by M.Butt club secretary 2021

Woodspring Indoor Bowls Club