A Condensed History of the Bloxham Bowls Club - 2000 to 2004

2000
Bloxham Bowls Club celebrated the Millennium by joining the World Wide Web Internet as www.bloxhambowls.co.uk.
Members Pat Kirkpatrick and Basil Humphries passed away this year.
Pat Ostler was elected President Elect of the O.W.B.A.
Rink 4 was relaid and being used.
Pat Ostler was elected Junior Vice President - the first lady member to hold the position.
A vote of thanks was given to Derek Ives ably assisted by Angie Ives and many members of the club for their efforts in building an excellent patio on the front of the Clubhouse.
The closure of Hook Norton Bowling Club allowed Bloxham to purchase the watering system which is to be installed in the early part of 2001.
An annual vote of thanks was once again given to Dave Morse (Chairman) who living in close proximity to the Club carries out endless tasks unseen by many members of the Club and to Bill Tibbetts (2 Bits) for his continuous efforts in keeping the clubhouse clean and ensuring that the bar is well stocked.

2001
Minutes from the Annual General Meeting included these items.

Mrs. Pat Ostler was congratulated on her successful year as President of the O.W.B.A which was another honour for the Club.
Members were urged to support the Club more which was emphasised by the news of the collapse of the East Oxford bowls Club due to the lack of support.
The membership of the Club was slightly up on the previous year with 33 men, 16 ladies and 6 social members.
Thanks were given to the Club’s three coaches, Bill Tibbetts, John Stephens and Norma Gardner for their valuable support.
Mrs. Pat Rogers, Mrs. Jesse Kirkpatrick and all the ladies who catered for the match meals were warmly thanked for their help in maintaining the high reputation the Club has for its hospitality.
A vote of thanks was given to Bill Tibbetts for all his work in cleaning and maintenance of the clubhouse over the past few years.
Bob Gushlow was to investigate the possibilities of selling part of the Club car park.

2002
An Extraordinary Meeting was held on the 17th October,2002, to discuss the sale of part of the car park. The members approved the sale.

Minutes from the Annual General Meeting included these items:

The Chairman, Dave Morse, thanked the committee for their commitment during the past year and special thanks to the Secretary, Rod Ostler, for all his normal work and also the added burden of organising the sale of part of the car park.
Thanks were also given for Alan Round for all his hard work as Club Treasurer over the past six years.
Another milestone in the Club’s history was that for the first time a lady President, Mrs. Pat Ostler has been elected for the year 2003.
With the appointment of Les Upham, as green keeper, there has been a tremendous improvement to the green.
Tony Gardner and Jim Hay represented the Club at Worthing, a first for the Club in this Competition and another honour for the Club.
Jesse Kirkpatrick, Angela Ives and Pat Ostler won the County Benevolent Triples. Another honour and first for the Club.
Tom Smith of ‘Smiths of Bloxham’ was once again thanked for sponsoring the Club with a £300 donation.

2003
An Extraordinary Meeting was held on the 29 August,2003, to discuss the proposal that Bloxham Club does not register with the Inland Revenue for Tax Exemption and does not change its Constitution after the sale of part of the car park.
The proposal was passed by a large majority of the members:Minutes from the Annual General Meeting, held on the 14th November 2003, included these items.Chairman, Dave Morse, thanked the committee for their commitment during the past year and special thanks to the Secretary, Rod Ostler, for all his normal work and also the added burden of organising the sale of part of the car park. The sale has now been confirmed and the new car park should be finished by the start of the next season and in addition, there would be capital available for further improvements to the club facilities.An amended proposition was agreed to discourage smoking in the clubhouse.

2004 February: One of the Club's founder members, first Chairman and Trustee, Mr. George Pegler resigned due to failing health.

April: New Drawings had been produced for the proposed new changing rooms and application was made for planning permission.

July: Rink 4 was starred completing a fully starred green for County games.

August: Mr. Ray Hopkins and his wife were sent an official letter of thanks in the acknowledgement of the new patio that Ray had built and for the painting of the wall around the green.

October: It was agreed to purchase polo shirts for male members only for Men and League matches only. O.B.A. Delegate, John Stephens would send the design for approval by the O.B.A.

Mr. Bob Gushlow reported that Mr. Tom Smith of 'Smiths of Bloxham' would sponsor £500 towards the cost of the shirts.

Due to the resignation of Mr. Derek Ives as Senior Vice President earlier in the season, Mr. Bob Gushlow was invited to serve a further year as President, with Mr. John Nolan moving into the office of Senior Vice President.