Topic: Information

Minutes Of The Bowling Green Community Group (BGCG) Annual General Meeting Held at Earle’s retreat on Thursday 25th October 2007...

Extract from “Old Falmouth” by Susan GAY (pub 1903)
Ref: pages 185-186, Russell: Bowling Green

In an old indenture or deed of conveyance of the date 1701, framed and hung up in the Council Chamber at the Municipal Buildings, and relating to the Bowling Green, it is stated that this piece of land was sold to Dennis Russell in trust "...for the inhabitants of the towne of Falmouth and the parish of Budock, for a Bowling Green for the playing of bowles within the same and forever and to and for no other use, intent or purpose whatsoever..."

The plot was bought from Mr Alexander Pendarves of Roscrow and is signed by him and his "true and lawful attorneys" being Messrs James Bush & Nicholas Davey.

An odd condition is attached to it, that there was "...to be given to Mr Pendarves and his heirs a quart of the best wine that can or may be had or got on the 24th day of June for ever if the same be lawfully demanded on the spot and not other ways...". Apparently, if Mr Pendarves became hot in playing bowles, he could have some good wine on that particular day to slake his thirst, an odd and feudal condition in selling a piece of land.

(It is thought that the aforementioned indenture or deed is now kept at the Royal Cornwall Museum at Truro).

Collated by Mr Fred Barnett (J.P.), President, Penryn & Cornwall Old Cornwall Society, February 2003.

For further information about The Bowling Green Community Group, contact:

Guy Doncaster
Email: info@falmouthbowly.org.uk
Tel: 01326 377173
Postal: Bowling Green Community Group, c/o Falmouth Green Centre, Union Road, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4JW

BGCG CONSTITUTION



1. NAME

The name of the Group shall be Bowling Green Community Group, hereinafter referred to as the "GROUP".

2. AIMS & OBJECTIVES

• To develop and enhance the recreational area situated at the corner of Marlborough and Trelawney Roads, Falmouth known as 'The Bowling Green'.


• To represent the users of the Bowling Green and local residents


• To bring people together through community events and activities


• To raise funds by all lawful means


• To work in partnership, to achieve our aims and objectives.

The GROUP will promote any charitable aim to further the above.

3. MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the GROUP shall be open to all residents living in the Bowling Green area and other interested persons.

4. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The GROUP wants to involve everyone in the area and will try to overcome any obstacles to people giving their views or getting involved in meetings and events. The GROUP will try to make sure that everyone can feel welcome and safe at events organised by the GROUP and will challenge any remarks or behaviour that cause offence and makes some people feel unwelcome. The GROUP will take positive action to reach those people that are under-represented at meetings and events and will ensure that all members have equal opportunities to attend and take part in the GROUP and its events.

5. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A Management Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting will run the GROUP.

The Committee will be made up of three Officers, including a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, including between two and five other ordinary members.

If vacancies occur among the officers between AGMs, the Committee shall have the power to fill those vacancies except where three or more vacancies occur at the same time in which case a Special General Meeting, advertised for that purpose, must be called.

Committee members who miss more than three consecutive meetings without giving reasonable apologies may be asked to resign their post. A member of the committee may be removed or suspended from their post if they bring the good name of the GROUP into disrepute. A full meeting of the committee will be called to consider evidence from all sides and a majority vote will be necessary to remove or suspend.

The Committee will have power to co-opt members with skills and knowledge useful to the GROUP. Co-opted members of the Committee can take part but will have no voting rights at Committee meeting and should not hold officer posts or represent the GROUP at meetings or events.

6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Once a year (and no later than after 15 months) the Committee will call an Annual General meeting (AGM). Written notice of the meeting must be publicised at least four weeks in advance and members should be made aware that they would have the opportunity to make nominations for election or stand for election themselves and to vote for the officers and committee at the meeting.

• The minutes of the previous AGM will be presented and approved.


• The existing Chair will present a report of the GROUP's activities.


• The existing Treasurer will present accounts for the year.


• Any amendments to the constitution will be voted on.


• The existing committee will stand down.


• The officers and committee for the next year will be elected.

Nominations for officers and committee will be accepted only if the person nominated is present at the Annual General Meeting or has put in writing that they want to stand.

If there is nobody willing to stand, the committee will start procedures to close the GROUP down.

7. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

The Committee of the GROUP may, at any time, call a Special Meeting of the GROUP, giving at least 7 days written notice to all members, to consider any matter that the Committee may decide should be referred to all members.

8. GENERAL MEETINGS

The GROUP will be democratic and open. The committee will hold at least quarterly meetings or events.

At least three members of the committee have to be present to take a decision on behalf of the GROUP. All members of the committee should be consulted on the dates and venues of meetings. The committee will try to work by general agreement but where this is not possible decisions will be taken by majority vote.

Minutes will be kept of all meetings of the GROUP. The minutes will be presented to the next meeting to be approved. The minutes should be made available to any member of the GROUP on request.

All members of the GROUP will be expected to treat each other with respect and act in a reasonable manner at GROUP events. The Chair may ask members to leave if their behaviour is disruptive or offensive.

9. FINANCE

The committee can raise money on behalf of the GROUP as they see fit, as long as they spend it in line with the aims and objectives of the GROUP.

The treasurer shall keep proper account of the finances of the GROUP and shall open a bank account in the name of the GROUP. The committee will nominate at least three people who can sign cheques.

The accounts will be presented to the Annual General Meeting and copies available to members.

The committee are responsible for the proper use of money raised through grants according to the guidelines issued by the funding body

The Treasurer should keep receipts for all money paid out in expenses to committee members for duties carried out on behalf of the GROUP.

10. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

The constitution may only be amended at an Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting. Any proposal to alter the Constitution should be should be sent to the Secretary at least 14 days before the meeting. Notice of the proposal to alter the constitution should be included in the publicity for the meeting. Any alteration to the constitution requires a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.

11. DISSOLUTION

A proposal to dissolve the GROUP will only be carried if agreed by two thirds of the members present or if the GROUP is unable to form a committee. All outstanding bills will be paid and the balance of any grants from funding bodies will be returned. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of proper debts and liabilities will be applied towards the development of the Bowling Green Area as the Committee may decide subject to the approval of the meeting to dissolve the GROUP.