Another 3 new Life Members of the League were confirmed at the October executive meeting – and they were . . .
CELIA MILES
It’s only fitting to start tonight’s 2023 Life Members ceremony with ladies before gentlemen! Celia holds the proud distinction of being the longest serving officer of the League, having succeeded John Emonson as treasurer for the 2010 season. That came two years after she followed Roger Teague into the post of secretary of the Sir John Bayley’s bowls section.
Never one to blow her own trumpet, her succinct reports have become a trademark feature of League meetings – but rest assured she is never afraid to have her say.
Celia’s assistance with the annual presentation dinner has been invaluable and her attention to detail over more than a decade has helped ensure that the League remains in a healthy financial position. In fact her input is vital in the many officers meetings that are held to try and plot the best way forward to bowls in Mid Shropshire.
The sport was in her blood as she watched her father play for GKN Sankey, Kings Head and Trench. Herself a playing member of British Sugar, Ercall Magna, Sir John Bayley and Sinclair for 30 years, she always gives her all on the green. The League’s sincere thanks to you Celia Miles come tonight in the form of a deserved Life Membership.
GEOFF CLARKE
In the 91 year history of the League, the playing records prove that Geoff is one of the greats of Mid Shropshire bowls. He won Senior Merit no less than four times – in 1984, 1999, 2001 and again in 2004 – having burst onto the county scene by winning the Shropshire Merit in 1982 at Prees when the great Dick Meyrick was one of his scalps.
Geoff teamed up with Andy Stevens to win the County Doubles in 1989, but his service to the game was not limited to just on the green as, in tandem with past League chairman Gordon Lovatt, he took great pride in being a junior selector and encouraging youngsters into the sport.
Geoff played regularly for the Dun Cow from 1962 to its final game in 2008, skippering the team that won the League championship in 2001 before losing to Ford in the Premier League play-offs. He had 6 trophy laden years bowling for Donnington Wood before going on to play for the White Horse and lastly Madeley Cricket Club, where he was still playing in the Friday divisions in 2015.
Capped 42 times by Shropshire, and a past League chairman and President (1009 to 2000), it gives the League the greatest pleasure to award Geoff Clarke Life Membership.
MIKE POTTER – seen wearing his chain of office
What more is there to say about our League President Mike that has not been said before? There can’t be many bowlers in the whole of Shropshire who either don’t know Mike or haven’t heard of him – and here in Mid Shropshire land he’s our greatest treasure.
We all know that Mike is a man who lives and breathes bowls, have been widely recognised as Shropshire’s top referee before twice serving as County President. Not content with that, he’s now the county’s competition secretary, with his wife Linda never far from his side, and is a mainstay of the Shropshire Referees Society.
But some may not know that Mike enjoyed a pretty impressive playing career on greens all over the county before illness stopped him playing. He took up the game in 1979 and has played for Corporation (winning their averages for four years in a row), Minsterley in division one of the Shrewsbury League, then GWR, Donnington Wood (where he served for 3 years as club secretary), Wrockwardine Wood, Edgmond in the Whitchurch League and Coddon. Now he’s a respected member of Trench who played a big role in their centenary celebration day in August.
His best claims to fame as a bowler are winning the Clare Cup for the best newcomer at the County Handicap in 1984 and then triumphing in the Mid Shropshire Merit in 2006 – a remarkable feat for a third division bowler. Put simply, if anyone deserves Life Members of the Mid Shropshire League, it’s Mike Potter . . .