West Kirby Victoria Bowling Club

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all our members and to all bowlers in the Wirral.

The culmination of the Winter “Flyers”, held over the last few months on Sunday mornings at Birkenhead Park, resulted in an excellent final between two Vics bowlers. Robby Fitzpatrick finally came out on top after a close fought match against clubmate Eddie Clayburn. The final score, 21-19 showing just how tough a game Eddie gave Robby. Both players had slogged through the previous weeks to qualify for the last sixteen along with another Vics bowler, Bernie Owen. Unfortunately Bernie went out at the 1st stage today but Robby and Eddie bowled their way into the final.

The funeral service for Billy Smith will commence at Landican next Thursday, December 16th at 11-00am. Billy’s wishes were for cremation instead of burial. Once again all our thoughts go to Billy’s wife Margaret,sons Len,Nigel and Andy and daughter Stacey.

The proposal for a “Super League” of six teams was voted out at last nights Birkenhead League A.G.M. at Port Sunlight. The proposal, made by Upton and seconded by Thingwall, gained little support among the delegates as various arguments about the merits of limited competition, lack of ambition and the fact that the six teams involved would only play on five other greens throughout the season, were put to the meeting. Ted Sullivan, Chairman of Wirral Crown Green Bowling Association, was also concerned about the Sansom Cup, if the proposal gained favour.
Cec Hannay was presented with various mementoes to mark his outstanding acheivement of 40 years service as Secretary of the Birkenhead League. A suitably embarrassed Cec was for once lost for words for a few moments as he was given a standing ovation by the all the delegates present.

It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing away of Billy Smith. Billy passed away this morning at Arrowe Park hospital after spending the last few weeks in hospital suffering from cancer. Billy will be sorely missed amongst the local bowling fraternity, with his unbounded enthusiasm for the game. He was often to be seen around the green with his daughter, Stacey and sons Andy,Nigel and Len. Billy of course played for Great Meols Bowling Club and had just recently joined the Vics to play in the Afternoon League. I will miss him personally, having known him for 35 years and Finals days, County days and big individual competitions will not be the same without Bill coming up and informing me of all the latest happenings around the Wirral Bowling scene. All our thoughts go to his family at this time and I will post details of Funeral arrangements as soon as they are known.

At last nights Wallasey Crown Green Bowling Association A.G.M. Peter Dodd took over as the new Association Secretary from the retiring Brian Hampson. After years of tremendous and often unrewarded and unrecognised hard work serving Wallasey Bowls, Brian decided that the time was right to take a break from the administration side of bowls and enjoy a well earned rest for him and his family. As Vics members know, Peter Dodd enjoys his work as Vics secretary and will continue to do this job as well as taking on the Wallasey position. I know it will be an almost impossible task to take over from Brian as Association Secretary but with the help of the Executive Committee and all the Club Secretaries I hope to be able to provide a competent service to Wallasey bowls.
Further news from last nights A.G.M. concerned the voting to remove the word “mens” from the Association title thereby enabling ladies to play in all our competitions. The delegates voted in favour of this proposal and as from the start of the 2005 season all affiliated clubs can include lady bowlers in their teams if they so wish. Unfortunately we lost 3 teams last night in 27 Club, Vanser Royal and Queens Park who all resigned from the League through lack of members at the respective clubs. Some good news was the acceptance of Greasby into the Association which gives us a total of 29 teams to play in 3 divisions next season. The Executive Committtee will decide on the structure of the leagues for next season.