The AGM of the League will be on Monday 30^th January 2023, starting at 7pm in the Wellington’s Sir John Bayley Club.

That date should give those who attend the League’s annual presentation dinner on Saturday 21^st January at the West Stand @ TUFC plenty of time to recover (see previous post for full details and how to book a place)

The annual meeting is when the countdown to a new season begins in earnest, with rule change proposals to be voted on, accounts to be approved, officers to elect, honoraria agreed etc etc.

But as the countdown to the AGM starts, this is what the officers revealed as their plans for 2023 at the October executive meeting:

Fridays in 2023 – Survey results inconclusive. Officers would dearly like to see at least division one return to 12-a-side fixtures but, in light of the survey and many strong views expressed by current first division clubs, they are reluctant to risk any proposals that could lead to more teams withdrawing.

The League simply cannot afford that, so the officers WILL NOT be putting forward any proposals on the matter to the AGM in January.

But that DOES NOT STOP member clubs making proposals before the October 31 deadline. They would require a seconder at the December meeting and must take into account ALL rules that would need to be changed to accommodate their proposal.

But the League’s officers will review the numbers per side position on Fridays again at the end of next season, when hopefully the economic crisis will have least stabilised.

Post Match Food – Officers are eager to encourage all club teams to provide refreshments in 2023 to encourage the return to the vital social side of the game. But it will remain an individual club choice.

Clubs that WILL NOT be putting on food will be asked to inform the League before the 2023 season starts and a new section will be put on the website so that bowlers know they are in for an early finish when the fixture is over.

Rule changes – The usual review will be carried out by officers this autumn but one key change they want to see is for the Harris Cup, as it is now 10-a-side. All Premier League sides that enter will be ask to give 15 shots (plus their placings addition) rather than 20 shots.

New registration fees set-up – Clubs to only pay 25p for bowlers who actually played that season, rather than all those registered on the Mike Beckett system

Less Meetings – May, June & September meetings to be replaced by newsletters emailed to clubs and then posted on website, with link from Facebook. But officers will retain the right to call a meeting if they feel one is needed.

New Officers – Phil King considering stepping down as comps sec and vice-chairman Steve Wall happy to step down so that an eventual successor to current chairman can be shown the ropes. Minute sec Rob Burroughs to help with other duties as there will be less meetings

Monday Merit – new competition for bowlers who ONLY play on Monday nights. There were 270 of them in 2022 so there should be some kind of interest. It would have to be based on the previous season’s appearances. Entry just £5 to encourage at least 16 entries?

New Afternoon Division – further consultation on the proposal is to be made with clubs. But officers feel there is a demand for a 6-a-side division for all ages on either Tuesday or Thursday afternoons, starting a 1.30pm.

Most Mid Shropshire bowlers will have now put their bowls away for the winter and be enjoying a rest – but many will, hopefully, have a big date in their diary.

It’s Saturday 21^st January 2023 when the League’s annual presentation dinner returns after the pandemic at the old venue, the now re-branded West Stand @ TUFC (enter car park off Haybridge Road, Wellington), starting at the earlier time of 5.30pm.

All honours winners in 2022 will be in the spotlight that night and, as per League rules, all 25 member clubs have been allocated and charged for 2 places for the function.

But it really is a case of the more the merrier with tickets costing £25 for adults and £15 for juniors. The meal will be served at 6.30pm and last orders at the bar will be at 11.30pm.

Extra places need to be booked via club secretaries,, with choices from the menu below, and be with organiser Margaret Fletcher (01952-771134 or email [email protected]) by the League’s November meeting on Tuesday the 1^st.

The deadline for full payment for all tickets (and of course menu requirements) is the December meeting.

 So if you want to be part of the biggest bowls presentation function in Shropshire, make your choices from THE MENU below and then contact YOUR CLUB SECRETARY

 STARTERS

HOMEMADE VEGETABLE SOUP (with croutons)

Or MELON (served with strawberry coulis & berries)

MAINS

ROAST BEEF (with Yorkshire Pudding, roast potatoes & seasonal vegetables)

Or VEGETABLE PASTA BAKE (served with a side salad)

SWEETS

APPLE CRUMBLE & CUSTARD

Or LEMON CHEESECAKE &CREAM

PLUS – COFFEE & MINTS

SPECIAL DRINKS PRICES – ALL CASH ONLY

WINE £14 a bottle ORDERED IN ADVANCE BY THE DECEMBER MEETING – red, white or rose – payable on collection

Carling, Worthingtons & Thatchers all £4 a pint (pitchers £15)

It ended up being a good 2022 season for Trench.

They survived in the League’s top flight, with a fine home win over St Georges A on the last night of fixtures, and then enjoyed a highly successful re-launch of the Trench Open Mixed Doubles.

Before all that, the club’s green with its super surface – cared for by long serving secretary David Evans – was voted the tops in the Telford area.

And that ended up earning Trench £100 as the runners-up to Cleobury Mortimer in the first Shropshire Best Kept Green promotion, sponsored by Dennis UK-Sisis.

The club was represented by Colin Lane at the formal presentation at Cleobury in late September, when Roger Moore, sales and marketing manager of Dennis UK, handed over the awards.

“Hopefully the advice from Alan Lewis (the judge who visited all eight finalists), has been invaluable to all the green keepers,” said couinty chairman Phil Scott.

“Dennis UK will be doing a greenkeeping seminar early next year and I would advise as many of them as possible to attend the day for talks, demonstrations and help.”

Any club interested in hosting next year’s seminar, sponsored by Dennis UK and to include a lunch, is urged to contact Phil for full details.

Hail Horsehay – the Mid Shropshire League champions for 2022.

The first division winners may have missed out on the Premier League play-off after losing to Adderley, but they still have much to proud of after ending an 85-year wait to lift that trophy again.

For it was back in 1937 that Horsehay, founder members of the League, were last crowned its champions!

Their 2022 squad is pictured before their narrow loss to Adderley in a pre play-off clash at Meole Brace.

The ‘Hoss’ pipped Wrockwardine Wood A to the title by the narrowest margin in all seven divisions – just one point – after scoring a 10-3 home win over Hadley USC A on the last night of the fixtures.

But it was still a good season for the Wrockites as they topped division six and also the Dennis Lewis Thursday Division.

Bridgnorth enjoyed a title double too after topping divisions three and five while Shifnal A were clear second division champions and Ashton Cup winners Newport C finished top of the pile in the fourth division.

Bridgnorth did the League proud as the Dave Ellis ladies versus gents challenge match was re-launched on Friday 30^th September to bring the curtain down on the season.

The club’s members worked frantically to get the game on after heavy rain all day – and then were perfect hosts with a smashing after match buffet.

The gents won the 15-a-side fun match by 35 shots and now lead 3-1 after the Memorial Shield was launched in memory of the League’s former results secretary, who was a member at Bridgnorth. Gents captain Ian Wilson is pictured with the winning team for 2022.

A review of the evening is on the agenda for the League’s October executive meeting on Tuesday the 4^th, which will be followed by a ceremony to honour 3 new Life Members – Keith Pessall, Angela Gaut and Colin Rudrum.

 Notice for the October 2022 Executive Committee Meeting

To be held on Tuesday 4^th October at the Sir John Bayley Club at 7.30pm

AGENDA

1  Chairman’s remarks to open the meeting

2  Apologies & In Memoria

3  Minutes of the September Management Committee Meeting

4  Matters arising

5  General Secretary’s report & Correspondence

6  Fixture Secretary’s report

7  Competition Secretary’s report – including cup finals review

8  Treasurer’s report – club annual accounts to be paid by October exec meeting

9  Dave Ellis Shield –  report from Ladies v Gents match Bridgnorth

10 Planning for next season – following an officers meeting that considered:

Fridays in 2023 survey results, other club feedback, cost of living concerns

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

12 County matters – report from executive meeting on 3^rd October

13 Any Other Business

14 President / chairman to close the meeting

PLEASE NOTE: This meeting will be followed by a presentation ceremony to honour the League’s Life Members for 2022 – Keith Pessall, Angela Gaut & Colin Rudrum

FAILURE to send a representative to this meeting will result in a £5 fine

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: management on Tuesday 2^nd November at SJBC at 7.30pm

The curtain comes down on the League’s 2022 season with the Dave Ellis ladies versus gents challenge match at Bridgnorth on Friday 30^th September, starting at 7pm.

This fun challenge fixture was last played in 2019 when the gents won at Shifnal to take a 2-1 lead , after the ladies had drawn level with victory at Allscott Heath 12 months earlier.

Those who have agreed to take part in the 2022 match are listed below – and bowlers will be paired against someone of their own ability so there should be no fears of a mis-match.

It looks like a 15-a-side showdown looms so captains Pauline and Ian Wilson will be  putting 5 blocks on at a time to try and get through in normal match timings

There will be a buffet afterwards, which hosts Bridgnorth are kindly covering the cost of, but the League will be running a raffle, with the proceeds to go to charity.

The late Dave Ellis, who started the revolution in terms of getting bowls results published more quickly by computer, was a Bridgnorth member, so it is fitting that this match is finally played on his former green.

Players taking part:

Ladies	Club	Men	Club
Jayne Craggs	Allscott	Mick Price	Bridgnorth
Karen Smith	Bowring	Karl Fuller	Bridgnorth
Pauline Wilson	Bridgnorth	Colin Hemsley	Bridgnorth
Jan Hetherington	Chelmarsh	Derek Bolton	Chelmarsh
Carol Marsh	Chelmarsh	Roger Marsh	Chelmarsh
Eunice Williams	Highley	Richard Green	Highley
Diane Green	Highley	Brian Williams	Highley
Tena Martin	Highley	Martin Beddow	Highley
Sue Conneely	Shifnal	Keith Banks	Much Wenlock
Val Johns	Shifnal	Tom Killen	Shifnal
Emma Duncan	Shifnal	Akell Khan	Shifnal
Pat Simpson	Shifnal	Dan Wilson	SJB
Linda Lowe	Shifnal	Steve Pessall	St Georges
Shavorne Osborne	Trench	Paul Osborne	Trench
Verena Swinnerton	Worfield	Bill Swinnerton	Worfield

It’s crunch time this week in the League’s top 3 divisions with the final fixtures of the season on Friday 23^rd September.

And 3 teams go into the last night of action with the first division championship in their sights and celebratory champagne on ice – with Wrockwardine Wood A in pole position.

They lead by 4 points, thanks to an 8-5 victory by 2 chalks away at Sir John Bayley A in a re-arranged match on Monday, but won’t take anything for granted away to bottom of the table Bylet A.

St Georges A and Horsehay A are joint second and waiting for any Wrockite slips as the Dragons go to Trench A and Horsehay entertain Hadley USC A.

Shifnal A look set to finished top of division 2, pushed all the way by Allscott Heath A, and Shifnal B have given the club a great promotion double by ending as runners-up to Bridgnorth B in division 3.

It’s last match night too in divisions 4-5-6 on Monday 26^th September when a cracking title race between St Georges C and Ashton Cup winners Newport C in the fourth division will be settled.

And the fixtures could not have worked out any better as Newport play hosts to the leaders by just one point looking to avenge an 11-2 defeat at St Georges back in July.

Good seasons for Bridgnorth and Wrockwardine Wood seem sure to be completed by championship successes in divisions 5 and 6 respectively.

But the action does not finish then as Friday 30th September will see the ladies versus gents challenge match for the Dave Ellis Memorial Shield played at Bridgnorth (7pm start).

It’s already looking like 15-a-side, but ANYONE who bowls in the League and wants to play in this fun match should contact general secretary Malcolm Fletcher.

As all bowlers will be aware, tomorrow – Monday 19th September – is a bank holiday for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London and then Windsor.

And with fixtures due to be played that night, the League’s officers have issued the following advice to member clubs:

“With the end of the season being so close, and so little time to re-arrange fixtures, we have decided that any teams that want to play their matches on the scheduled date of the 19th – with the agreement of their opponents obviously – can do so,” said a League spokesperson.

“But if there any teams who don’t want to play, then that will be accepted – on the proviso that the game is played ON OR BEFORE Wednesday 21st September.

“That’s because the last Monday night fixtures are on the 26th and NO game can be played after that date, ie all teams must finish the season at the same time.”

One game that is definitely going ahead on Monday night is the re-arranged division 1 match between Sir John Bayley A and title chasing visitors Wrockwardine Wood A.

The last Friday games of the season are on the 23^rd and then, on Friday 30th September, the ladies v gents challenge match for the Dave Ellis Memorial Shield will be played at Bridgnorth (7pm start).

There’s been plenty of interest already, especially from clubs close to the venue, but ANYONE who bowls in the League and wants to play in this fun match should contact general secretary Malcolm Fletcher