THE Craven BC was cancelled due to bad weather earlier this months has now been re-arranged for Sunday, April 8, with a similar format.

The season will get under way with the Yorkshire Parks Merit on Friday at the regular venue of Hove Edge WMC, where 64 entries go to post at 10am using both greens at this popular venue.

Local representatives include Mick Skwarek, David Hemsley, Richard Hargreaves, David Scott and past winner Andrew Tate, of Sutton, who meets ex-Haworth player Jon Edmondson in round one.

Local leagues also get into action next week beginning with first matches in the Valley Veteran's league on Monday for sides in the lower three leagues.

The Aire-Wharfe Wednesday singles league also commences this week with local sides Oxenhope and Addingham in early action against Grove Hill ‘A’ and Ilkley ‘B’ respectively.

It could be another rough ride for Addingham after promotion last season.

The Halifax League also begins on Wednesday where the controversial 54321 system has ceased.

Cross Roads ‘A’ remain the only local hope in the top flight as Oxenhope have withdrawn from the league and play Stainland Park ‘A’ at home in game one.

Cross Roads ‘B’ are now back in League Three after relegation again last year but at least they have a ‘derby’ to look forward to against Denholme during the season.

Competitive bowling also gets under way in the Skipton League with prelims in the Jeff Clarke Trophy on Tuesday and hopefully the final on Thursday, entries permitting.

Silsden PF have lost a stalwart member in Alan Pennington, who died after been taken ill in a game at Halifax towards the end of last season.

He had not been well for some time but such was his love and determination of the game that he struggled on before the Halifax incident.

He was the main man behind the scenes at PF and will be sadly missed by all concerned.

Pennington also played regularly for the Skipton Vets. Inter-District team where he was also a selector with Trevor Hargreaves. ‘AP’ also played for Ladyhill in the Halifax and Bradford leagues and was a useful player on his day.