WITH all the better weather recently, bowlers could be forgiven for thinking the fast-approaching season was already here.

However, March is a long month and they will have to wait to see what happens in the next few weeks.

Work on fixtures goes on and local leagues have had recent meetings to sort things out and announce changes that have been planned during the closed season.

The Worth Valley annual general meeting was held at Keighley BC where stand-in chairman Richard Hargreaves was finally elected to the position permanently and Bev Guffick became the new safeguarding officer.

On Saturdays, the usual three league system will continue with eight teams in Division One and nine teams in both the others, while the popular Monday’s Veteran’s League will have five divisions again with a few changes to teams. Subs and match fees remain the same for all leagues.

A new innovation is the creation of the Wednesday Afternoon League with twelve teams competing in two sections with the winners of each competing for the title on a home and away basis at the end of the fixtures with a normal scoring system. All KO cups for all leagues at end of season as per usual.

Distribution meeting at Keighley BC on Monday, March 18, at 8pm.

At the Skipton AGM, Steven Clamp, of Colne Cricket, took over as president from the long-serving Alistair Keighley.

Keighley’s final job was to announce life membership for league Secretary, Peter Haworth, a deserved honour for the long serving stalwart.

All leagues are virtually the same as before with the 54321 League on Tuesdays and the Merit League on Thursdays. Fixtures commence on April 16.

The Hebden meeting was held at Heptonstall and will have little alteration to last season.

The area will host the Yorkshire Park’s Inter-City event on May 26. Distribution meeting on March 19.

As reported recently, the well-known local businessman, Norman Bairstow, has passed away after a short illness.

He excelled in all sports throughout a long career especially football, cricket and golf, but in more recent times he played bowls both for Keighley BC and Haworth and it was there that his brand of sportsmanship shone through, as it did in all his other sports. Sincere condolences to all his family.

Silsden PF have also suffered a loss with the sudden death of one of it’s leading supporters and players, Ella Bracewell.

Ella was the wife of club stalwart, George, and they were often seen supporting their team and other bowling events in the area. She was not a bad player either. Our condolences go to George, all his family and everyone at PF at this sad time.