Bitter-sweet dinner for Bowls women (From This is Hampshire)

Bitter-sweet dinner for Bowls women

11:43pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Hampshire Sport

THE Bowls Hampshire women's presentation luncheon at Fleming Park was a bitter-sweet affair.

Although president Maxeen Fletcher of Lockswood brought the curtain down on her successful year at a most enjoyable occasion there was sorrow that this was the final luncheon the ladies will have on their own.

Next year in true unification style the presentations will be a combined function for the ladies and gentlemen – though judging by the fact that the final men’s independent luncheon has been cancelled through lack of support, the fairer sex will be very much in the majority.

The county ladies have traditionally held their annual get-together midweek at lunchtime while the men have opted for a Sunday lunch. What happens next year is anyone's guess – though a Friday night dinner seems favourite.

Though her male equivalent Ken Graham was attending the funeral of BH chairman Stuart McCall, Mrs Fletcher was delighted to welcome Bowls England president Stuart Lake and wife Sandra from Northamptonshire.

Nearly 100 bowlers and guests attended to hear Mrs Fletcher talk of her “wonderful and special” year and to add: “It has been a pleasure to work with Ken Graham and as for our immediate past president, Hazel Marke, I could not have done the job without her.”

After collecting the Johns Trophy in her presidential year Emsworth member Marke took almost as much pleasure in becoming county singles champion this summer.

Full Bowls round-up in today's Daily Echo