BUDE Bowling Club held their 89th annual dinner at the Brendon Arms on Saturday, October 26.

President Brian Wonnacott welcomed members and guests. 

The guest of honour, Group Two immediate past chairman, Barry Crowle was unable to attend due to health problems but club member Alan Butler, who is the Group Two administrator stepped in at very short notice. 

Grace was said by vice president Tricia Dixon and then after a very good dinner she proposed the ‘Loyal Toast’. 

Secretary Richard March introduced Alan who thanked Brian for his welcome and said he had spoken to Barry and expressed his regret at not being able to attend and his good wishes for the club. 

Alan explained some changes being made at group level and went on to congratulate all those who had done well in competitions at both group and county level.  He wished the club every success in the future before proposing the toast to Bude Bowling Club. 

In response, president Brian thanked Alan for standing in at such short notice and said that not only did Alan work hard for the group but that he also holds the post of County Benevolent Fund treasurer. 

Brian congratulated all the members for their successes during the season, especially Anne Butler, Fran Goldthorp, Marilyn March, Teresa Tibbetts and Barbara Phoenix who had reached group finals and county quarter and semi-finals in various competitions. 

He thanked everyone for their support during his time as President. He also thanked Cynthia May and Tricia Dixon for planning the evening and Barbara Phoenix for organising the competitions and all the trophies before thanking the staff of the Brendon Arms for the lovely meal. 

Alan was then invited to present the trophies, which were as follows:

Men’s Championship — Richard March; Runner-up: Dave Heckbert; Ladies Championship — Fran Goldthorp; Runner-up: Barbara Phoenix; Men’s Two Wood Singles — Graham Kemp; Runner-up: Richard March; Ladies Two Wood Singles — Beryl Vickery; Runner-up: Anne Cadd; Men’s Handicap Singles — Colin Shepherd; Runner-up: Rob Smeeth; Ladies 100 Up — Fran Goldthorp; Runner-up: Teresa Tibbetts; Three Wood Singles — Teresa Tibbetts; Runner-up: Alan Butler; Men’s Pairs — Sid Jones and Graham Kemp; Ladies Pairs — Anne Cadd and Fran Goldthorp; Runners-up: Linda Smith and Cynthia May; Mixed Pairs — Anne Butler and Richard March; Runners-up: Robert Wilkins and Marilyn March; Falcon Cup — Alan and Anne Butler; Runners-up: Barbara Crook and Alan Wilson; Brendon Cup — Anthony Griffin, Colin Shepherd and Bill Dixon; Ladies Triples — Jenny Horncastle, Tricia Dixon and Teresa Tibbetts; Runners-up: Pat Underwood, Beryl Vickery and Cynthia May; Kirk Cup — Tim Ford, Richard March, Alan Wilson and Graham Kemp; Mixed Triples — Linda Smith, Brian Wonnacott and Bill Dixon; Page Roberts Cup — Barbara Phoenix, Richard Cadd, Cynthia May and Sue Plumstead; Charity Cup — Anne Cadd, Marilyn March and Brian Wonnacott; Autumn Cup — Jenny Horncastle, Alan Wilson and Graham Kemp; Ladies Rosebowl — Barbara Crook; Ken Page Memorial Trophy — Alan Wilson; Presidents Trophy — Brian Wonnacott; Men’s Player of the Year — Richard March; Ladies Player of the Year — Fran Goldthorp.

Brian Wonnacott then presented the last two trophies, the first of which saw Sue Kenmir win the ‘Most Improved Player’.

Club Person of the Year, which is awarded each year for commitment, help and support given behind the scenes, is chosen by the president in consultation with the men’s and ladies captains. 

This year it was awarded to Richard March. It had been a difficult year for him with a heavier workload than usual due to various unforeseen circumstances. He had taken on the extra load without complaint and had been a stalwart of the club throughout the season.