Blue bottoms, Chris’ contribution and Di’s departure were three of the major topics at last night’s AGM evening.

A motion to adopt navy blue bottoms as part of our formal club kit was carried unanimously. This was mooted during the season and is in line with Bowls England’s mission to present a more modern image for the sport. It’s being adopted by more and more clubs and signals the end of the tradition of weekend whites and mid-week greys. So from next season it’s club shirt (new or old) and navy (or dark) blue bottoms in all competitions and club matches. The choice of which colour shoes (flat ones) and socks to wear is a personal one. A more relaxed approach for Club Night and ad-hoc roll-ups will persist if preferred.

Chris Shire was presented with the Club Trophy for the last year. His contribution to helping around the green and club on match and competition days was recognised together with his arrangement of ad-hoc roll-ups during the week. He joins a select group of well-deserved winners including Nikki Morris, Ann Templeman, Tony Henning, John Nutt and Karen Pilkington in recent years. Well done Chris.

Sadly, Diane Saunders has decided to call time on her team captaincy. She has done a sterling job down the years, cajoling folk to play and having to make some difficult decisions at times. We may have finished towards the bottom of the South Middlesex League table (again!) but she can certainly leave on a high .. wrestling the Bluewood Shield from Hampton back in August! We’ll still see Di around the green next season and she’ll continue her contribution to the committee and club. Stepping into Di’s shoes will be Dennis Morris, unanimously approved as next year’s Captain.

Amongst other items mentioned was the adoption of a safeguarding officer being mandatory for all clubs; our club finances should be able to absorb the yearly SSA fees which will be announced in due course; the extension of the Friday Morning League to more than 10 weeks, so running until September.