Plans for the League to launch a new Afternoon Division next year are gathering momentum.

The idea of a six-a-side division for bowlers of all ages, and played on either Tuesdays or Thursdays afternoons (1.30pm start), is the brainchild of Steve Wall, the vice-chairman of the League.

Other leagues who have matches or competitions on those afternoons have been contacted to keep them in the loop and member clubs are now starting to express their views – both at the December meeting and after it.

ALBRIGHTON feel that the proposed afternoon division for 2023 season provides a lot of opportunity for new bowlers to experience league bowling.

“Therefore we would like to register our intent to enter a team into the afternoon division . . . and we may have enough for 2 teams if we get a few more at our registration weekend in January,” said a club spokesman.

MADELEY CRICKET CLUB BC would definitely be able to put a team in a Thursday afternoon league – possibly two teams – according to secretary Terry French.

Keith Pessall has sounded out SIR JOHN BAYLEY’s senior citizens at their AGM to see if they might be interested.

EDGMOND & NEWPORT say they would prefer Thursdays while ALLSCOTT HEATH, who are admittedly lukewarm about the proposal, would prefer Tuesdays.

HIGHLEY then emailed the day after the meeting to say they would want to enter 1 team and could play on either afternoon as their green was free.

But WORFIELD bowlers have shown no interest so far.  Secretary Doug Russell said: “If this does change I will be in touch. I think the fact we are involved in leagues on Mondays (Telford Ladies), Tuesdays (Highley), Wednesdays (Seniors) and Friday (Mid Shropshire) using most of the same members means we will struggle to find enough interest.”

League fixture sec John Palmer pointed out that the Mid Shropshire Senior Citizens League had used 12 Thursday afternoons for various comps in the 2022 so space in the bowls calendar was limited . . .

Good news about Merit competitions in 2023 was among the highlights of the League’s December management committee meeting.

A plan to launch a Monday Divisions Merit – a new singles knockout for bowlers who play primarily in divisions 4-5-6 – was approved to go before the League’s AGM on January 30.

That was after delegates agreed to tweak the original proposal from League officers by combining it with some ideas put forward by Wrockwardine Wood.

And the meeting ended with a letter from Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Services Ltd stating that they wished to continue their sponsorship of the Senior Merit next year.

St Georges duo Mike Humphries and Paul Beer, who run the company, said: “Following our initial sponsorship of the MSBL Senior Merit in 2022 and the following positive reactions and support we received, we Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Services Ltd wish to continue our support to Mid Shropshire bowls.

“Therefore, we would like to again sponsor the MSBL Senior Merit 2023 to the sum of £100 with an additional £25 for the biggest break on finals day.

“We would also like to urge any other local companies, large or small, to support your local teams and leagues in these very testing times.

“We would also like to thank the league for their superb guidance and support during 2022 and wish all fellow bowlers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Paul and Mike are PICTURED with 2022 Senior Merit champion Stuart Church of Sinclair after his magic day at Maddocks in July

 Less meetings and more action is the plan for the League next year.

Poor attendances at meetings held during the 2022 playing season has led   League officers to propose a new executive committee structure to be launched next year.

The idea will need to be seconded at a management committee meeting on Tuesday 6^th December at Wellington’s Sir John Bayley Club (7.30pm stdart) before it can go before the league’s AGM on January 30.

A seconder will also be needed at the meeting for a proposed new singles competition for bowlers who play primarily in divisions 4-5-6 – the Monday Divisions Merit – that is to be put before delegates for approval.

Other agenda items include progress on launching a new Afternoon Division next season and an update on trophies and bookings for the return of the annual presentation dinner on January 21.

FULL AGENDA

1  Chairman’s remarks to open the meeting

2  Apologies & In Memoria

3  Minutes of the November Management Committee Meeting

4  Matters arising

5  General Secretary’s report

6  Correspondence

7  Competition Secretary’s report – all trophies MUST be returned by this meeting

8  Treasurer’s report  

9  Fixture Secretary’s report  

10 Rule change proposals for 2023 AGM  

11 New Afternoon Division in 2023?

12 Annual Dinner update – Saturday 21^st January 2023 at The West Stand @ TUFC (enter off Haybridge Road, Wellington)

13 County matters –report of executive meeting on 21^st November at Sinclair

14 Any Other Business

15 President / chairman to close the meeting

VITAL REMINDERS

Payment for all extra bookings at the League’s annual presentation dinner MUST BE PAID FOR AT THIS MEETING (£25 adults, £15 juniors).Any club not sure of what they owe should contact organiser Margaret Fletcher on 01952-771134. This meeting is also the last chance to pre-order wine (white, red or rose) at the discounted price of £14 a bottle. Orders will then need to be paid for on the night – when it is CASH ONLY FOR EVERYTHING!

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: AGM on Monday 30^th January at SJBC at 7pm

Your county needs you!

Shropshire Crown Green Bowling Association is searching for a new treasurer and safeguarding officer for 2023.

And all affiliated leagues have been asked to advertise the vacancies via their publicity outlets to help spread the word and find new recruits.

“Both of these positions are vital to the running of the Shropshire Crown Green Bowling Association and we would appreciate your support circulating the posts available,” said county secretary Dawn Gray.

Find below the job description for the vacant SCGBA Treasurer role:.

Treasurer Job Description – Oct 2022

And also find below the job description for the vacant SCGBA Safeguarding Officer role:

Safeguarding Officer Job Description

If you would like to apply or know more, please contact SCGBA Chairman Phil Scott on 07946 478299 or 01948 820757, or email on [email protected]

The good news is that a change of heart  means the county does not have to search for a new competition secretary too.

Mike Potter’s year as County President will end at February’s AGM on Saturday 6^th February at Sinclair BC and he had previously announced that the wished to stand as county comps sec at the same time.

But MSBL President Mike told the latest county executive meeting that, having received pleas to continue in charge of comps, he would now stand for re-election, despite having suffered a couple of recent health scares.

Two member clubs have already expressed an interest in competing in a new afternoon division the League is thinking about launching next year.

The news of their interest follows moves by League chiefs to allay the concerns of other leagues about the possibility of the new division in 2023.

Secretary Malcolm Fletcher has written to officers of the Highley, Shrewsbury Ladies, Mid Shropshire Senior Citizens and Telford Ladies Afternoon leagues to explain the proposal.

The idea of a six-a-side division for bowlers of all ages and played on either Tuesdays or Thursdays afternoons (1.30pm start) is the brainchild of Steve Wall, the vice-chairman of the League.

 “And as your leagues have fixtures or competitions on those days, I felt it only right and proper that I make contact to try and explain the situation fully,” said the secretary.

 “Delegates of our 25 clubs have been asked to go back to their clubs to see if they have any interest in joining such a division next year – and on which afternoon they would prefer to play.

“We hope to get a better idea of where we stand by our meeting on Tuesday, December 6, and if there is little interest the proposals will be withdrawn.

“But if there is a demand, of say 8 teams, the MSBL will cater for it – and two clubs have already expressed an interest and we have a potential sponsor in the pipeline.

“Once we decide to go ahead, and know on which day, that is the stage we will consult formally with the league (s) affected.

“And that will be in the hope that, with the Mike Beckett results system being so helpful, we can come up with an amicable solution.

“I sincerely hope that clarifies the current state of play.”

The latest bowlers to become Life Members of the League were quick to say thank you! Below are some of the things they said . . .

 Angela Gaut: “I just thought that I should drop you a line or two to thank the League for inviting me to receive the Life membership award.

“I was extremely surprised and of course honoured to receive this award, which has previously been given to so many deserving recipients.

“As you may know, I have always done my best for the game, whether it be in club or county capacity, even on the green itself.

“I will always treasure this award as it is decided on by members of the executive committee who are people doing their utmost to improve the game, just like myself.”

Keith Pessall: “I would like to take a moment to thank the MSBL for the presentation made to me.

“Lorraine and I enjoyed the evening and, as inevitably happens at such an event, conversation revives memories of names and deeds from the past!

“Unfortunately, some names are only known to those of us of a particular vintage and confirm how the years have gone in a blink of an eye.

“Despite my initial embarrassment of being selected, which was further compounded by some very kind remarks at the presentation, I can assure you I am extremely proud of the recognition I have received.

“The memento of the evening will stand proudly alongside those I have won over my long association with a game that has been so much part of my life.

“Thanks again and I wish the MSBL, all of its hard working officials and bowlers playing under its flag, every success in the future. “

Colin Rudrum: “It was lovely to see several old friends at the meeting and presentation.

“Gillian and I really enjoyed the presentation evening and buffet so our thanks go to Margaret for that.”

The General Secretary had plenty of good news to report at the Legue’s November meeting . . .

“Firstly, one of the League’s missing trophies – the Under-25 Merit – has been found as is now with comps sec Phil King.

“Secondly, first division champions Horsehay look set to launch another team in the League next year – and that’s in addition to Castlefields, who have already expressed an interest in joining the Dennis Lewis Thursday Division.

“Thirdly, an existing sponsor has been in touch to tell the League that, should it need any backing for any future project, they want to be given first refusal.

“Fourthly, June Lewis has told me that if the League need any future backing for the Dennis Lewis Thursday Division, she will be happy to oblige in memory of her late husband and former League chairman.”

A cheque for £50 from the proceeds of the Dave Ellis Challenge match at Bridgnorth has now been sent to the Mel Evans MBE Foundation via Lynn Pritchatt.

The League’s 2023 AGM is booked for Monday 30th January at the Sir John Bayley Club, in both rooms, and delegates were reminded that the county AGM next year will be on a Saturday morning . . .

A number of matters relating to the 2022 season were officially confirmed at the League’s November meeting.

PRIZE MONEY – the top 3 clubs in the divisions will receive the following monetary reward at the League’s annual presentation dinner on 21st January:

Division 1: £510 – £255 – £85
Division 2: £445 – £225 – £75
Division 3: £305 – £155 – £50
Divisions 4 – 5 & 6: £320 – £160 – £55
Dennis Lewis Thursday Division: £360 – £180 – £60

COMPEITION prize money – will be based on entry numbers, with chairman Sean Round donating £100 to the junior prize fund and Malcolm & Margaret Fletcher donating £70 to pay to prize winners in the Junior Doubles.

MONDAY DIVISIONAL AVERAGES – bearing in mind the League rule that states: “Players having played six games in division 1, 2 or 3 shall not be eligible for this award in divisions 4 or lower. “

 Division 4: George Emlyn (Dnn Wood B)

Division 5: Abi Helliwell (Bowring C)

Division 6: Liam Bremner (Wrock Wood D)

 ANY OTHER BUSINESS – the big talking point was the issues clubs are facing with regards to energy prices.

Webmaster Steve Wall has now put a link on the League’s Facebook group that explains the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.

“It outlines the discount of 34p per KWh, this being given by the supplier at source,” says Steve

“It was clear some clubs were being quoted £1+ per KWh – but they should check whether this is before the government discount.

“However, the above is my interpretation of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and I may be wrong.”

The League’s hunt for missing trophies must end at the November management meeting on Tuesday the 1^st – which is also crucial with regards to January’s presentation dinner (see Vital Reminders below the agenda).

Wellington’s Bayley Club (7.30pm) is the venue for the gathering that is the deadline for all trophies to be returned.

Competition secretary Phil King said: “It’s that time of year when I need cups and trophies back for engraving, many of them won in 2019.”

They include the winners’ trophies for divisions one, two and three – but league chiefs have agreed that Hadnall can retain the Harris Cup until after their club presentation evening on November 26.

The agenda includes confirmation of prize money to be paid out at the league’s annual presentation dinner in January, the Monday division averages winners, honoraria figures in the light of inflation running at 10 per cent and budgeting for 2023.

AGENDA

1  Chairman’s remarks to open the meeting

2  Apologies & In Memoria

3  Minutes of the October Executive Committee Meeting

4  Matters arising

5  General Secretary’s report

6  Correspondence

7  Treasurer’s report – to include:

 prize money to be paid, honoraria payments & budgeting

8  Fixture Secretary’s report – confirmation of Monday division averages winners

9  Competition Secretary’s report – last call for trophies to be returned

10 Rule change proposals from clubs

11 Annual Dinner – Saturday 21^st January 2023 at The West Stand @ TUFC

12 County matters – next executive meeting on 21^st November at Sinclair

13 Any Other Business

14 President / chairman to close the meeting

VITAL REMINDERS

COMPLETED ANNUAL DINNER FORMS should be returned at this meeting. Bookings for EXTRA PLACES (and there are no limits), with their menu choices, are need at this meeting too. Clubs then need to play for the extra bookings by the December meeting at the latest. Orders for bottles of wine, at the special price of £14 a bottle – to be paid for in cash at the presentation – are needed by the December meeting.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: management on Tuesday 6^th December at SJBC at 7.30pm