There’s a new man at the rudder of the League after Chris Hayward (pictured) was elected chairman at the 2026 AGM.
The Allscott Heath BC chairman succeeds Sean Round, the Bowring stalwart bringing the curtain down on his 14-year reign in the post with a poignant speech that ended with a round of applause of gratitude.
“I think Sean has done a brilliant job and the club delegates clearly agreed last night. He will be a hard act to follow – but the officers are sure Chris will carry on the good work,” said League secretary Malcolm Fletcher.
Every other officer was re-elected and there was a warm welcome for the accepted nomination of two-time County Merit winner Spencer Clarke to serve as a junior selector alongside Brenda Slingo.
All but one of the rule change proposals were passed – and that Ashton Cup eligibility issue was covered by an officers proposal that was approved – and only 2 of the 28 member clubs were not represented.
The accounts were accepted as the burden of two presentation dinners and consequently two lots of prize money paid out in the same financial year resulted in an £11,000 loss on 2025.
But there was sad news on the night as Wrockwardine Wood secretary Louse Cotton reported the sad passing of club mainstay Bob Elcock, the winner of the Mid Shropshire Merit in 1965.