Ooops! I’ve done it again. Yes, at our Norwest Bowls Club Presentation Dinner on Saturday evening, I missed out one of our competition tro- phies. Last year, it was the Ladies novice and this year, it is the Horace Beech trophy. My apologies go to runners-up, Andy Walker, Paul Latchem and John Mallinson, and winners, Paul Hill, Bill Brooks and Gerald Gregory. Once again, I’ll be trotting off, hot foot, to get the lads’ trophies – hopefully better late than never!

Despite this hiccup, the evening seemed to be a great success. We started our evening with a superb four course dinner supplied by Mandy and her team, and, as usual, it is a huge thank you to them.

Once we were all replete and had recharged our glasses, the serious business of the evening began: dishing out the trophies. Our President, Brian, did the honours ably assisted by his little helper, Paul.

This year’s winners were: Ladies: Two Woods – Bowditch President’s Trophy: Val Bryant, Runner-up: Sandra Beard. Four Woods – Marilyn Trophy: Nora Holmes, Runners-up: Val Bryant. Novice – Sue Woodham, Runner-up: Penny Seviour. Pairs – Nott Cup: Kath Hillman and Pam Bush, Runners-up: Ann Woodham and Nora Holmes. Triples – Ann Tee Trophy: Mary Harston, Pam Bush and Penny Seviour, Runners-up: Sandra Beard, Kath Hillman and Nora Holmes.

Men: Two Wood – Attwood Trophy, Mark Kite, Runner- up: Aaron Delamont. Club Singles – Ushers Shield: Graham Walkington, Runner-up: Nigel Vine. Men’s Pairs – W. Burgess Cup, Jack Vine and Steve Tyler, Runners-up: Paul Hill and Nigel Vine. William Gregory Memorial Cup: Mark Kite, Runner-up: Martyn Hunt. Novice –Tony Lake Cup: Steve Tyler, Runner-up, President’s Trophy: Andy Walker.

Open: Singles – Helen Hymer Trophy: Nigel Vine, Runner-up: Mark Kite. Valjac Trophy: Eric Collins and Gerald Gregory, Runners-up: Jack Vine and Aaron Delam- ont. Jack Simms Memorial Trophy: Gerald Gregory, Jack Vine and Mark Kite, Run- ners-up: Graham Walkington, Paul Latchem and Aaron Delamont. Monica Trophy – Nigel Vine, Runner-up: Graham Walkington. 101 competition – Penny Seviour and Aaron Delamont, Runners-up: Mary Harston and Steve Tyler. Anne Wilkinson Memorial Trophy – Bett Stephens, Cilla Rich, Aaron Delamont and Eric Collins Runners-up, Nora Holmes, Jack Vine and Mike Firth. Highest winning rink, against Fosseway, 40 – 4: Chris Roberts, Brian Holmes, Eric Collins and Steve Curtis.

This year, our very special award of ‘Club Person of the Year’ went to our Club Treasurer, Mary Harston. Mary is not just our Treasurer, but a stalwart worker for the club: for many years, she has worked tirelessly for Norwest, and this year, after several break-ins at the club, she has shouldered so much more work. So, this award comes with a great big thank you, Mary, from all at Norwest, you thoroughly deserve it.

Once again, apologies to the lads I forgot. The job of ‘sorter out of trophies’ is up for grabs if anyone wants it. How about it Bill – if you think you can do better?

Finally, a reminder that this Saturday, 30th November, we will be ‘Stepping into Christmas’ at Norwest for an evening of silly games, like rolling Christmas puds and snowballing with some easy fun quizzes thrown in for good measure. There will be an American supper and a Christmas-themed raffle. The bar will be open at 7.30 p.m., so you can get the drinks in and be ready for the off at 8 p.m. So come on, get out the Christmas jumpers, drape some tinsel around your necks, and join us for a fun-filled evening to get you in the mood for Christmas. NH