Lots of positive feedback has followed the League’s recent annual presentation dinner when two bowlers making title-winning returns to the sport were in the spotlight.

League President Mike Potter led the tributes to John Breeze and Ellie Wall as all the 2023 honours were saluted at the function at the West Stand @ TUFC in Wellington.

More than 150 people attended on a night when Mike was full of praise for Senior Merit and division one averages winner John Breeze of champions Newport and Ellie Wall (Wrockwardine Wood), the first winner of the new Monday Night Merit.

“They are great examples of people returning to the game so I say to clubs and bowlers, let’s look to get all ex-players back involved again.”

Mike also urged county selectors to consider using the two new greens at Allscott Heath before one of those selectors, Mick Jones, received an individual honour and then made a number of special presentations as County President.

“It was another fine year for the league with extraordinarily close title races, top class competitions with bigger entries and cracking cup finals,” said general secretary Malcolm Fletcher.

“Newport had a great year and it was good to see a resurgent Donnington Wood back winning silverware.

“And 2024 has started in stunning style with Life Member Mabel Finnigan awarded a much deserved BEM for services to bowls.”

Mabel was unable to attend after a spell in hospital, but there was special praise for her attending Madeley clubmate, Ian Evans, who captained the veterans inter-league team for the first time and won the championship in super style in Shrewsbury. He is pictured with the trophy, presented on the night by the County President.

It was also celebration tie for the ladies after their triumph at Trench in the annul challenge match against the men of the League for the Dave Ellis Shield.

Club delegates are asked to consult with their members who attended so that the League can conduct a full review of the function at the March executive meeting.

Pictures of the 2023 comps winners who attended the dinner can be seen under Competition News

Fixture Secretary’s report to the 2024 MSBL AGM

Good evening everybody. I’ll swiftly cover the past season and then go on to talk about 2024.

2023 all went pretty well, despite some poor weather at times. Very few fines were imposed for rule transgressions. Congratulations to all the clubs that did well and commiserations to those that didn’t.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the following:

• My fellow league officers for continuing to ensure that the league runs smoothly.
• Mike Beckett for his help and support in maintaining his superb Results Service. He had to invest in a new server last year in order to cope with the sheer number of leagues that use the system. This did cause a few issues because we were moved to the new one but they were soon resolved.
• All the club captains and secretaries who I’ve corresponded with over the last year. That’s over 800 emails received and over 400 sent plus a few texts and Whatsapp messages.

Looking ahead to 2024 then, a lot of what I’m going to discuss regarding the division structures for the forthcoming season is speculation because there are still a number of points to be resolved and bear in mind that I’d written this report before a number of points were settled in the last 24 hours:

•  Horsehay confirmed the withdrawal of their Friday A team and asked to join the Dennis Lewis Thursday division,  
• Shifnal confirmed their B team withdrawal from the Dennis Lewis.
• Childs Ercall confirmed that they may like to enter a Monday team.

The remaining points are…

• Which new teams are confirmed and accepted into the league. We’ve had requests from:
  • Chelmarsh, Edgmond, Childs Ercall and Newport to enter new Monday teams. 
  • Meole Brace, SJB, Horsehay and possibly a second team from Prince of Wales Hotel to enter teams in the Dennis Lewis Thursday division.
  • Second teams from both Edgmond and Albrighton to enter the Afternoon division.
• Whether any teams drop out. I’ve heard that there are doubts about:
  • Bridgnorth D in division 5.
  • Chelmarsh in the afternoon division.
• Anything else we won’t know about until the deadline of the March Executive meeting – now 48 hours before it as the rule change was agreed later on the AGM agenda.

Here are my thoughts on the different divisions…

Fridays

Without Horsehay A, we’ll have 36 on a Friday, giving us a straightforward 12/12/12. It was 12/12/13 last year and can be achieved by only relegating the bottom team from divisions 1 & 2 and promoting the top two teams from divisions 2 & 3. Alternatively, we could relegate two and promote three.
The most probable start date would be 12th April (Prem start on the 5th), finishing on 13th September as Rob has reserved 10th May for the Merit qualifiers. We could possibly have the Merit finals on another Friday if Rob preferred and finish on 20th September.

Mondays

Four new teams gives us 37 (or 36 if Bridgnorth lose their D team). 36 is straightforward 12/12/12 (it was 11/11/11 last year) and fits in well with starting on 15th April, finishing on 30th September avoiding the three bank holidays (6th & 27th May and 26th August)
If we have 37, we‘ll have to rethink – any suggestions welcome.

Afternoon

Two new teams will bring us up to 9 which requires four more fixture dates than last year when we had 7. The extra four fixtures puts more Thursdays in conflict with the Seniors League who use most weeks in July & August for their competitions. Last year we used 12 Thursdays and two Tuesdays and the season ended in mid July. This year, we’d need to use several more Tuesdays, depending on the start date which is negotiable. Earliest start would be 4th April but it could be later although that would involve more Tuesdays. With no missed weeks, the number of Tuesdays required depending on the start date would be as follows:

• Start Date Thursdays Finish Date
• 4th April 6 Tue 30th July
• 11th April 7 Tue 6th August
• 18th April 8 Tue 13th August
• 25th April 8 Thu 22nd August

It would also be possible to miss one or more weeks where Tuesdays would otherwise be required and extend the season into September. I’m open to suggestions from the clubs involved.
However, if Chelmarsh drop out you can ignore most of the above although I’m still open to suggestions as to when clubs would prefer to start.

Dennis Lewis Thursday

If all 4 new teams are accepted, we’ll have 16 with Shifnal B dropping out. 16 teams require 30 match dates, and there are only 26 Thursdays available between April and September.

We could accommodate a division of 16 by using 4 other days – Wednesdays? but Rob Burroughs has proposed a solution which involves splitting the division into two and organising supplementary competitions to play after the end of the normal season. I’ll explain the outline of this now and perhaps Rob could elaborate if necessary.

Rob Burroughs Proposed Solution
As can be seen from the 2023 league table, there’s quite a gulf in the division. Splitting it he believes would increase the quality of the league in the top and give those mid table now something to fight for. So two divisions of 8 would mean 14 games. Followed by a cup competition so teams can play different ones again.

Four mini-leagues of 4, two from each division in each group. Possibly using the rankings from the league or a draw before. Play each other home and away so 6 more games.Top two from each group go to a quarter final which can be at a neutral green. Bottom two go into a consolation again at neutral greens. So that would mean 21 games at least for each team. Then you would have a semi and a final, the final at a club with 2 greens (and possibly the semis!)

So you would use 23 Thursdays. And then use two for the Thursday night merit and have one spare for any postponements. Or maybe a playoff between third top and third bottom.

Saturday

At the end of last season, the resurrection of the Saturday division was mentioned. Is there enough interest from clubs to do so?

So there you have it. You’ll appreciate that I’m going to be busy just before, during and after the March Executive meeting and there are decisions that will have to be taken then.

Therefore, I’d appreciate any more updates from clubs regarding new teams, teams dropping out, green changes, special requests and potential clashes with leagues other than the Premier, sooner rather than later.

As in previous years, if I hear nothing from a club, I’ll assume that everything will be the same as last year but confirmation as soon as clubs are aware of their circumstances will help me. 

You can help me to help you!

John Palmer

Hadley USC’s proposal to introduce an extra point for teams winning away from home in divisions 1 to 6 was passed by a 16-6 vote – so they will get 4 points in 2024. But Charlton’s amendment for divisions 4 to 6 failed 10-13.

The League’s bid to introduce 11-a-side fixtures in division 1 this year was also defeated 7-9.

But their 3 management rule proposals were all approved, introducing a new 48 hours deadline before the March executive meeting for clubs to notify the fixture secretary of new teams or withdrawals.

And the complete overhaul of the Competition Rules was passed – meaning a new Harris Shield team knockout in 2024 for non-Premier sides that lose in the prelim or first round – plus the updating of the League rules en bloc.

There was a loss of only £183 on 2023 despite standardising all match fees to 50p, cutting or doing away with other club fees and increasing prize money paid out by more than £1,000.

With so many new teams having already applied to join the League for the coming season – including another on the night of the AGM – fixture secretary John Palmer’s report to the meeting will be carried on the site shortly.

Worfield were the only club not represented, all officers were re-elected en bloc and they now look forward to nominating Brenda Slingo to represent the MSBL as County President in 2024.

GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT TO THE 2024 MSBL AGM

Ladies and gentlemen,

   I know this meeting is a time for reflection on last year, but I can’t remember looking forward to a new season as much as I am now.

   A really good presentation night on Saturday gave your officers a big lift – and now the aim is to keep trying to improve on delivering a competitive and well organised league for Mid Shropshire bowlers and their member clubs.

   Lots of interest from potential new teams is also a welcome boost – and hopefully they will be faced with a completely revamped rule book after tonight, aimed at making it simpler to take part .

   Looking back from a personal point of view, the start of the season was overshadowed by the sad loss of League legend Jeff Hutchinson. I still think about him most days and just wished I had told how much he had helped me with my crown green career in its many different aspects.

   A top administrator, Jeff approved of the streamlined management, with fewer meetings, that we introduced last year. I did feel it necessary to call an extra meeting in September but, in the interim, I hope the Newsletters we produced kept everyone up to date.

   Another move was to standardise all match fees at 50p and to try and help clubs recover properly from Covid by cutting or temporarily doing away with some fees. We still managed to increase the prize money paid out at the presentation by £1,000 and welcomed another sponsor in June Lewis.

   On the playing front, I have to congratulate Newport and former Ercall Magna man John Breeze on a fantastic 2023 campaign; Castlefields for marking their first season with us by winning the Dennis Lewis Thursday Division; and pay tribute to a resurgent Donnington Wood for landing three pieces of silverware.

   It was a great year too for Trench as they celebrated their centenary and won the Best Kept Green in Shropshire award – and the League was proud too when it inducted three more new Life Members in Geoff Clarke, Celia Miles and Mike Potter.

   What I took a lot of pleasure from was Mid Shropshire winning back the Shropshire veterans inter-league championship in Shrewsbury, with first time captain Ian Evans doing a splendid job. I just wish I had been there to see it, but by that time family circumstances dictated otherwise . . .

   There were disappointments on the bowling front too. The late cancellation of the junior inter-league that we were due to host was infuriating; a couple of behaviour and safety issues needed to be addressed; and the flat green at Hartshill Park in Oakengates being lost to the sport was a bit of a blow. The men losing to the ladies in the annual Dave Ellis challenge match at Trench was tough for me to take too – but the rumours that the beaten captain is going to resign are nonsense. He may get sacked though!!

   More seriously, I still have concerns about a couple issues on the county front and must admit to being very disappointed with the way League chairman Sean Round was dealt with after resigning as chair of the SCGBA finance committee.

   But let’s not dwell on that – let’s look forward as that’s the only way to keep trying to improve things.

   The year has already started well with Mabel Finnigan’s recognition in the King’s Honours list with a BEM for services to bowls and I think there are exciting times ahead.

   There’s the new complex at Allscott Heath to welcome aboard, plenty of new teams poised to compete, Brenda Slingo’s rise to County President next month as our nomination and, fingers crossed, a new team competition and the re-launch of the Saturday Division.

   My vow is that your officers won’t get complacent on the job. In fact, with the utmost regard for those who have gone before, I have to say that this is the best top table I have worked with in my 13 years in this role.

   Now let’s all of us work together to make 2024 another memorable season that we can reflect on in12 months time with the kind of huge sense of pride that I have tonight.

Thank you. Malcolm Fletcher

It’s going to be a numbers game at the League’s AGM tonight (Tuesday 23^rd January) at Wellington’s Sir John Bayley Club (7pm start).

But delegates won’t need to bring their calculators with them – what they have to consider is how the League accommodate the number of teams applying to join it for the 2024 season, the huge number of rule change proposals on the agenda and the reaction to a £183 loss on 2023.

A move to make to make first division matches 11-a-side rather than 10 – and get back to 12-a-side in 2025 – will also be discussed.

There’s also how the League copes with Horsehay’s successful application to join the Shropshire Premier League after a re-taken vote at its AGM last week.

“Fixture secretary John Palmer will report on how we respond to that but, in terms of applications to join the League, it is very encouraging at this early stage,” said general secretary Malcolm Fletcher.

“And while it’s not the sexiest thing in sport to debate potential rule changes, the officers have carried out the most comprehensive review of them since I became general secretary 13 years ago, including a complete revamp of those for all the competitions.”

Two brand new comps and the launch of new Afternoon Division were part of a successful 2023 campaign – and the League hopes to re-launch its Saturday Division this year.

All officers are standing for re-election and they are already looking forward to the formal nomination of Brenda Slingo to serve as County President for 2024 early next month.

AGM AGENDA

 1  Chairman’s opening address – followed by Apologies & In Memoria

2  Minutes of the 2023 AGM

3  Matters arising

4  President’s Report

5  General Secretary’s Report

6  Treasurer’s Report (accounts circulated with agenda)

6 (a) Auditor’s Observations

7  Fixture Secretary’s Report

8  Competition Secretary’s Report (and 2024 dates circulated with agenda)

9  Proposals for Rule Changes

10 Honoraria (CPI 6.7% in September and delegates agreed Honoria for 2023 should rise by this amount)

11 Election of Officers

12 Any Other Business – at the discretion of the chairman 

Note: Each club is entitled to one vote. All decisions shall be by a simple majority. Clubs not represented at the AGM will be fined £5 as per Management rule 6 (e).

It’s less than 24 hours to go before the League’s annual presentation dinner, to honour the 2023 prize winners, takes place on Saturday at the West Stand @ TUFC – doors opening at 5.30pm, with the meal served from 6.30.

Nearly 160 people are booked in to attend and, although they did not enjoy any major successes last season, it is Bowring who will have the biggest representation on the night with 20 attending, followed by Wrockwardine Wood (15) and Newport (11).

It’s been another fine year for the League with extraordinarily close title races, top class competitions with bigger entries and cracking cup finals – and that’s why officers are excited about the prospect of celebrating it with bowlers, their families and friends.

One highlight of 2023 was Mid Shropshire regaining the Shropshire veterans inter-league championship and first time captain Ian Evan, so proud to get his hands on the Derek Wright Shield, will be attending to receive proper recognition for his team.

The League is subsidising each adult place at the dinner to the tune of £2 . As a consequence, no guests have been invited and, to help cover the shortfall, the night will see the Return Of The Raffle!

Those attending should be aware that last orders at the bar will be at 11.30 and the function will end at 12 midnight.

And please, please, please don’t forget to follow the parking instructions posted on this site on Wednesday.

Not long to wait now . . . the League’s annual presentation dinner is just two nights away with more than 150 booked in to attend on Saturday at the West Stand @ TUFC, starting at 5.30pm and with the meal served from 6.30.

It’s going to be a big night for Newport and Donnington Wood with both having won two divisional titles.

And Newport bowler John Breeze will also be celebrating his own personal and memorable double after winning the Senior Merit at Bylet early in the 2023 season and then topping the first division averages in style.

Castlefields marked their first year in the League by winning the Dennis Lewis Thursday Division championship and the winners of two new competitions, the Thursday Night Merit (Peter Farmer) and Monday Night Merit (Ellie Wall), will be present to collect their prizes.

The presentation part of the evening will end with County President Mick Jones – himself a MSBL title winner last year – asked to officiate at the handing over of a number of special prizes . . .

CAR PARKING INFORMATION – VITAL FOR ALL PEOPLE ATTENDING THE MSBL PRIZE GIVING DINNER ON SATURDAY 20^th JANUARY, starting at 5.3Opm at the West Stand @ TUFC:

Guests attending are to park on the football club car park, in any colour bay, entering via Haybridge Road (TF1 2NW) – near the Fire Station – and walk around the stadium down the slope to the West Stand.

Car registrations are to be put into the Ipad on arrival which is located at the top of the stairs.

Failure to enter correct registration will result in parking fine and the West Stand are unable to assist with parking fines.

Please also be aware that there is no longer any access to the West Stand car park via the Whitehouse Hotel’s car park from Regent Street.

The route into the venue via Haybridge Road also applies to anyone being dropped off or picked up.

As the events booker, it is the League’s responsibility to pass this information to guests attending on the night.

The brand new clubhouse at Allscott Heath – pictured – will play host to an important pre-season meeting.

A meeting of the county executive will be held there on Monday 11th March 11, after a request from Shropshire association chairman Phil Scott.

Chris Hayward, the Allscott Heath bowls chairman, said: “We would be more than happy to host this meeting at our new facilities . . . and look forward to welcoming everyone.”

Before then, the AGM of the SCGBA is on Saturday 3^rd February at the Salop Unison Club, which is by the Shirehall in Shrewsbury, starting at 11am.

Meanwhile, the situation regarding DBS renewals and applications for bowls this year was finalised at this week’s county executive meeting.

They are going to be done in person this year but, as DBS checker Phil Scott is so busy, he is only going to be doing one session.

That is on Saturday 17th February from 8am in the community room at the big Tesco supermarket in Battlefield, Shrewsbury (the room is at the far end of the store, beyond the checkouts)

He told the meeting that clubs would be able to book people in for appointments by logging into their club page on the SCGBA website.

Messages of congratulations have flooded in from all over the crown green world after Telford’s Mabel Finnigan was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to bowls.

The proud pensioner from Madeley has been overhelmed by the number of phone calls, cards and messages received following the announcement in the King’s New Year Honours list.

Widely saluted as the rock of women’s bowling in Shropshire, Mabel has devoted much of her adult life to promoting and organising the sport she still loves to this day.

Her daughter, Deena Woodhall, said: “So proud of Mom – 88 and still going strong.

“She is so thankful for all the hard work certain folks have done for her – and so grateful for all the phone calls and messages.”

Her nephew and God son, St Georges star Tony Rhodes, added: “To be recognised, at this stage in life for what, at the end of the day, has been a passion of hers, is truly humbling for her.”

Shropshire Ladies president and County Development Officer Pauline Wilson led the tributes, saying: “I know many will want to join me in offering our heartfelt congratulations to Mabel for this once in a lifetime award – what a fantastic achievement.

Mabs was the founder and sole secretary of the Telford Ladies Afternoon League for 30 years; treasurer of the Shrewsbury Ladies League for 27 years; and county team captain and official of the Shropshire Ladies association, including the figurehead role of president.

Before taking on such high profile roles, she was a high class bowler in her own right and has treasured memories of her time at Dun Cow Bowling Club in Dawley with her late husband Jim.

She bowled for Madeley Court and, when that green closed, she moved to nearby Madeley Cricket Club BC and also to Broseley – and she is still an active and dedicated member of both those bowls clubs today.

Mid Shropshire League secretary Malcolm Fletcher said: “Mabel was the first female recipient of a life membership from the league in January 2020 – for if anyone deserved such an honour for all she has done for the sport then it was her.

“Her desire to promote the game and all that is good about it is infectious.

“And her determination to do things in the right and proper way is admirable.

“I am sure all the bowls clubs, leagues and bodies she has served over the years would whole heartedly agree.”

Mabel is PICTURED when receiving her MSBL Life Membership in January 2020

Out with the old . . . in with the new – here’s to 2024!

The officers of the League would like to wish all its bowlers, club officials and their families a very happy New Year and a coming season full of matches played in a competitive but sporting spirit.

As already reported, the early signs for 2024 are positive with new team applications already confirmed, others in the pipeline and one sponsorship deal renewed.

More than 150 people are booked in for the League’s annual presentation dinner on Saturday 20th January, at the West Stand @ TUFC, which will be followed by the Mid Shropshire AGM on Tuesday 23rd January at the Bayley Club.

And bowls in Mid Shropshire land has already received a brilliant boost going into 2024 in the New Year’s Honours List – but more of that soon . . .