Green-fingered Peter is honoured

Edgmond greenkeeper Peter Leath received the trophy and cash prize on behalf of the club at a special presentation ceremony at the village club near Newport.

The Shropshire Best Kept Green competition is run by the county association and a spokesperson said: “Well done to Edgmond Bowling Club on winning the 2024 title.

“They tied on 65 points with inaugural winners Cleobury Mortimer, but the sponsors Dennis UK’s judge gave it to Edgmond for scoring a perfect 10 in the running surface category.

"Trench (winners in 2023) were in third place on 63 points.”

Shropshire chairman Phil Scott added “Thank you to all the clubs who entered, not just the top 10 but the others who entered for the first time. 

“Since this competition was started a few years ago the standard of Shropshire bowling greens have improved dramatically with all the advice available to greenkeepers around the county. 

“This stands the clubs in Shropshire in good stead in providing a surface bowlers can enjoy all summer season and winter!”

Roger Moore, head of marketing at Dennis UK, and Alison Pickering, the company’s marketing and events co-ordinator, made the presentations.

Meanwhile, D-day for clubs who want to make changes to the two bowls leagues run by the North Shropshire association is looming.

Saturday, November 30, is the cut off point for rule change proposals to be received by the single administrative body that controls the Whitchurch and Market Drayton evening leagues.

They will then be discussed at a management meeting on December 4 before being put before all member clubs at an executive meeting a week later on Wednesday, December 11.

But rules are not the only thing on the minds of the association's officials as, formed just two just years ago, it is already searching for new blood.

As many as five posts could need filling at the 2025 AGM - an ironic twist, given that the body was launched to run the two leagues as there were not enough volunteers for them to carry on as separate entities.

Current secretary Roger Candlin wants to step down, Richard Proudlove stood down as joint comps secretary in mid season, as did Roger Haynes from the role of development officer, while Ed Proudlove is vacating the under-25 rep post and the junior delegate position has been vacant for both the first two seasons.

And Shropshire bowls big-hitters remain at the helm of the British Parks association.

Phil Scott, chairman of the Shropshire association, and his wife Marie – who is county treasurer and registrar – were re-elected to their key roles with the British body at its AGM.

He remains as Parks general secretary and chief executive officer after the meeting at Winnington Park in Northwich while Marie carries on as its registrar and ladies secretary.

“The British Parks AGM went without a hitch really and all officers were re-elected,” said Phil, on behalf of the Malpas-based duo.

“Dave Brennan from East Midlands was confirmed as President for 2025, his second term, the last time being in 1997.

“Annual affiliation fees were reduced to £125 from £150 as we have made a small surplus for the last couple of years. 

“The associated members fee stays at £50, which covers the junior section, but the addition is that they have a registration fee of £10 per competition they enter.”