It’s last chance saloon time for any club thinking about making a late application to join the re-launch of the Saturday Division.

And 1 more entry is indeed the hope of the League’s officers to give it the perfect number of 8 sides and no byes when fixtures begin on 1st June.

To date, 7 teams are lined up to play matches of 4 singles and 2 doubles starting at 2pm – so a minimum of just 4 bowlers are needed to compete – but fixture secretary John Palmer would welcome 1 more . . .

The division has been in cold storage since the 2019 campaign due to the pandemic, but past champions Sinclair have withdrawn their early interest in the rebirth.

On the competition front, congratulations to Jordon Millman on winning the Under-25 Merit (see report and picture in a post below).

There’s no Friday fixtures this week as it is Senior Merit qualifying night with a stunning 80 entries – and an appeal has been made to the League’s lady bowlers who are eligible to take part in the Over-60 Merit at the Bayley on Saturday at 2pm to consider entering and give this comp the boost it deserves.

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This season’s upturn in entry numbers for League competitions continues on Wednesday 8th May.

The Under-25 Merit has attracted eight entrants who are heading for Donnington Wood for a 6.30pm start.

And organiser Rob Burroughs was still hopeful of more late interest for a title that was won by Tom Killen last year when just four competed in it – see picture.

It is the League’s second comp of 2024, the Dixon Driscoll Doubles at Allscott Heath last month having seen 24 pairs take part.

It’s sadly turning into a terrible year in terms of losing legendary figures of the Mid Shropshire crown green scene.

Following the recent losses of Barry Griffiths and John Hughes, the League has now been informed of the passing of Ron Adams.

A past secretary, chairman and president of the neighbouring Highley League, Ron loyally served on the county executive for a stunning 40 years.

He was a proud former treasurer and president of the Mid Shropshire Senior Citizens League and was an ever present at Mid Shropshire League meetings until just last year, having been made a Life Member in 2019.

His funeral is on Tuesday 28th May at 1.30pm at Telford Crematorium and will be followed by a wake at Madeley Cricket Club.

Meanwhile, the funeral of Barry Griffiths is fast approaching on Tuesday 7^th May at 1.30pm at St Georges Church.

And the well attended Celebration of Life of John Hughes at Admaston Methodist Chapel saw a collection of £500 taken to be divided between two charities.

Congratulations to the first title winners of the 2024 season – Sally King and Nat Moseley, who won the Dixon and Driscoll Doubles at Allscott Heath on Sunday 28th April when 24 pairs contested the competition.

See report below and a superb picture spread on the League’s Facebook group, thanks to League President Mike Potter!

The League is eager to ensure that two highly respected figures of Mid Shropshire, Shropshire and even British crown green bowling – both recently passed Life Members – get the send off they so richly deserve.

Officers are hoping that the celebration of the life of John Hughes and the funeral of Barry Griffiths will both be well attended by bowlers as a mark of respect for all they have done for the sport.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at Admaston Methodist Church on Saturday 27^th April at 11.30am, the Admaston resident having served for years as a former Mid Shropshire competition secretary, county treasurer and junior selector.

The funeral of Barry has been arranged for Tuesday 7th May at 1.30pm at his beloved St Georges Church, followed by a cremation service for those that would like to attend.

“With dedicating all his years to both the church and St Georges Bowling Club, it would be lovely to see as many people there who had fond memories of my dad,” said his daughter Natalie Teece.

Barry was assistant secretary of the BCGBA for many years and was made a life member of the association and then the League (in 2017) for his superb service.

More sad news has reached the League just before the start of the new season in divisions 1-2-3 tomorrow.

John Hughes, the former Mid Shropshire competition secretary up until the 1990s, passed away in the early hours of Monday 15^th April in Telford Hospital.

He also served the League as a junior selector and, in more recent years, helped current officers reinforce their ties with long-term main sponsors Molson Coors.

Having bowled for Sir John Bayley and Hadley USC, his last administrative roles were as a Shropshire junior selector and a spell as county treasurer, being succeeded by the late Brian Kitson.

John was honoured for his services to both the sport and the League when he was made a Life Member of the MSBL in 2018.

His lost his first wife and fellow bowls lover, Liz, but got married again to Joyce and together they enjoyed travelling to various parts of the world

A celebration of John’s life will be held at Admaston Methodist Church on Saturday 27^th April at 11.30am.

RIP John – will be sadly missed, but never forgotten…

It is with much sadness that I write to inform the League’s bowlers and followers of the sad passing of Barry Griffiths.

A stalwart of the St Georges club, Barry passed away on Thursday 11th April at the Severn Hospice.

He was assistant secretary of the BCGBA for many years and was made a life member of the association for his efforts. The same honour was bestowed on him by the MSBL in 2017.

St Georges secretary Ian Gaut said: “He had been unwell for some time and passed away in the early hours of Thursday.

“Barry was a good man and St Georges through and through.

“He worked tirelessly on behalf of the club, SCGBA, BCGBA and the Mid Shropshire League.

“Our heartfelt commiserations go out to all his family and friends.”

A packed programme of action in the Monday divisions – 4, 5 and 6 – starts tonight (8^th April) with four new sides in a 13-strong sixth division.

Newport D were Monday evening champions last year and must be among the favourites to take the title again in 2024.

Meanwhile, delegates at the League’s April meeting heard there was a new progressive vibe surrounding the sport’s governing the body this year.

Positive news from first meeting of new-look BCGBA management was reported with a much improved feel at the meeting.

A new CEO & National Administrator are in place and the new Board launched with county chairman Phil Scott one of 5 regional reps. They want total transparency and are eager to cater for the 85,000 grassroots bowlers – not just the 2,000 elite players.

Closer to home, on the SCGBA front, no successor to County Development Officer Pauline Wilson has been found so the county executive has agreed to split role into 2 by creating a new coaching post, with an honoraria.

And the executive voted that anyone taking the referees exam should have the fee paid – on the proviso that they at least commit to officiate at local league level.

Sponsorship news was encouraging, including £300 from Dennis UK for the Shropshire Best Kept Green comp. Deadline for entries will be 30th June, with local judging in July and then August for the finalists. Trnech won this cdrown last year.

Another county-organised greenkeepers day is set to be held at the end of the season and will concentrate on winter maintenance work.

 MSBL COMPETITIONS LOOMING

Dixon and Driscoll Doubles– Sunday 28th April at 10am at Allscott Heath – £10 entry fee, enter on the day.

Under 25 Merit– Wednesday 8th May at Donnington Wood at 630pm – £5 entry fee, entries by end of Saturday 4th May.

Over 60s Merit – Saturday 18th May at 2pm at Sir John Bayley (bottom green) – £3 entry fee, enter on the day.

ROUND-UP FROM THE APRIL MEETING:

The League’s Saturday Division has lift-off again!

Seven teams will play matches of 4 singles and 2 doubles starting at 2pm in June.

The division has been in cold storage since the 2019 campaign due to the pandemic and officers will now try and recruit an 8^th team so there are no byes in the fixture programme.

Changes to the seasonal info reported from Highley, Shifnal & St Georges have been updated on the Club Contacts section of the site.

Albrighton have made a generous gesture in the countdown to host the League’s Junior Day competitions on Saturday 22^nd June. Club secretary and MSBL vice-chairma Steve Wall said: “As an incentive for people to enter, we will be offering on the day, to all competitors, free Burgers, Hot Dogs, and canned drinks. Alas spectators will be asked to pay. We hope that this offer will make the day a little more special in the hope to seeing as many junior bowlers as possible. “

New £100 per annum backing from June Lewis of the Thursday Merit announced, but the sponsorship deal with Local Print Pros has been terminated.

Scorecards will cost clubs £15 per 1,000 and £2 for each Captains Book. The amount owed will be added to their end of season account.

Thanks to changes to the Shropshire inter-league rules, meaning both the seniors and veterans championships will be 6-a-side this year, the League hopes to field 2 teams in both in 2024. The set dates are:

Veterans (6-a-side) on Saturday 15^th June in North Shropshire

Seniors (6-a-side) on Saturday 31^st August in Shrewsbury

Juniors (6-a-side) either 9th June or 14^th July) in Mid Shropshire

COMPETITIONS LOOMING

Dixon and Driscoll Doubles– Sunday 28th April at 10am at Allscott Heath – £10 entry fee, enter on the day.

Under 25 Merit– Wednesday 8th May at Donnington Wood at 630pm – £5 entry fee, entries by end of Saturday 4th May.

Over 60s Merit – Saturday 18th May at 2pm at Sir John Bayley (bottom green) – £3 entry fee, enter on the day.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

July Executive on Tuesday the 2nd at the Bayley (7.30pm)

It may not be an executive meeting, but the League’s April gathering on Tuesday the 2^nd is vital for many reasons – including collection of scorecards, captains books and BCGBA handbooks!

And they will be needed soon as the first fixtures of the season are on Thursday in the Afternoon Division and the Dennis Lewis Division.

The April meeting is open to all new team captains and club officials to attend the meeting, when they will have the chance to ask officers questions.

Given the number of rule changes made at this year’s AGM, including the League’s use of the Mike Beckett results system, it might be wise if as many captains attend as possible!

A last gasp application from Shifnal means that the re-launch of the Saturday Division, with matches of four singles and two doubles starting at 2pm, looks set to go ahead – a final decision will be made at the meeting.

The division has been in cold storage since the 2019 campaign due to the pandemic and officers had set a target of a minimum of six teams to see it resume.

AGENDA for the April Management meeting on Tuesday 2nd April at Sir John Bayley Club at 7.30pm:

1  Chairman’s remarks to open the meeting

2  Apologies & In Memoria

3  Minutes of the March Executive Committee Meeting

4  Matters arising

5  General Secretary’s report

6  Correspondence

7  Treasurer’s report

8  Competition Secretary’s report – confirmation of dates for 2024

9  Fixture Secretary’s report

10 Saturday Division – to be, or not to be?

11 Questions to the League officers – for new team captains, club secretaries/delegates

12 Dave Ellis ladies v gents venue for 2024 – Weds 2^nd October?

13 Life Members for 2024

14 County matters – report of executive meeting on March 11th

15 Any Other Business

16 President / chairman to close the meeting

COMPETITIONS LOOMING – Dixon and Driscoll Doubles– Sunday 28^th April at 10am at Allscott Heath – £10 entry fee, enter on the day.

Under 25 Merit– Wednesday 8^th May at Donnington Wood at 630pm – £5 entry fee, entries by end of Saturday 4^th May.

Over 60s Merit – Saturday 18th May at 2pm at Sir John Bayley (bottom green) – £3 entry fee, enter on the day.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: July Executive on Tuesday the 2^nd at the Bayley (7.30pm)