ERDINGTON COURT BOWLS CLUB
CLUB NEWS – Edition one, February 2026
This is the first of a new initiative by the Executive Committee to issue a monthly newsletter to help keep all members up to date on matters relating to our club. To keep things short and readable, each newsletter will report on 2 or 3 items. If there are questions that you have or issues that you would like clarified please let us know. Contact details and our “running list” of items to report on over the coming months are below.
This newsletter covers the hot topic (sorry!) of the rink heaters, saving energy and keeping the club secure.
RINK HEATERS
The club house has two heating systems. There is a traditional gas central heating boiler providing hot water and heating to the entrance foyer, changing rooms and the lounge. This is controlled by a programmer and is set to keep the areas comfortable at the times they are in use. We had some issues with the system last winter resulting in new controls being fitted, the system cleaned through and new radiators installed in the lounge.
The bowls hall is heated by the overhead gas radiant heaters at both ends of the hall. Whilst effective when they are working correctly they are relatively inefficient and consume a large amount of gas. The size of the incoming gas main is evidence of this!
Last year we had to take two of the heaters out of service due to the uneconomical cost of repairing them and in the last week we have had to turn off another one. This means that we have two functioning heaters at the changing rooms end, and one at the cricket end. Our plan now is to use the three heaters to see us through to the end of the indoor season, and for a new system to be installed over the summer.
This is earlier than we had originally planned for but it is made possible due to the solar panels installed last year. It will come as no surprise that the clubs biggest day to day expenditure is heating and lighting. In the year up to April 2025 we spent £16,856, and the budget for this year is £15,000. We are currently predicting a further saving due to the solar panels and changes to our supplier contracts and we are yet to see the benefit of selling to the grid, so things look positive for the next financial year commencing in April.
We are now actively exploring the installation of an electric heating and air conditioning system that would be fully integrated with the existing air handling system. Such a system would hold the temperature at a constant level and would enable us to make further energy savings and significantly reduce our carbon footprint. The next Trustees meeting is in mid February when we will look to get in principle agreement to proceed. The estimated cost is around £35,000 incl VAT and we are now actively seeking grant opportunities.
CLUB SECURITY
There have been a number of instances over recent months when the clubhouse has been left insecure, and with all of the lights on. If you should be the last person to leave the clubhouse, particularly say following a morning roll up or an afternoon game please ensure that all the rink and lounge lights are off and that the latch on the coded door lock is engaged. Most members know how to do this, so please don’t hesitate to ask if this is new to you.
CONTACT
For any comments on this newsletter and to suggest future items please speak to me, Les or Rob or drop me an email or Whats app message.
Simon Kimberley
Trustee and Executive Committee Member
Email simonpkimberley@gmail.com, tel 07513 817505
Future items to include,
Committee membership, who does what
Our finances
Bowls committee news
Exec and Trust committee news
AGMs and getting involved
External news, eg BBA leagues etc
Capital expenditure, repairs and improvements
Membership issues, fees and subs
Coaching news
Getting ready for the outdoor season
Facebook update
The club website
Cricket field fencing
Health and safety updates