Shrewsbury and District Senior Citizens Bowls League is preparing the climax to this season with finals day and president’s day competitions in September. 

The league, which is sponsored for the fourth season by Shrewsbury-based caravan dealership Salop Leisure, has 56 teams divided between four divisions and more than 700 registered players, who range in age from 65 to 94-year-old president Bill Garratt. 

Matches are played on a Thursday and the league, which welcomes both men and women aged 65 and above, stretches from Llanrhaeadr y Mochnant and Oswestry Church in the north to Church Stretton in the south. 

The league’s Finals Day is on September 19 followed by President’s Day on September 29, both at Severnside Bowling Club, Shrewsbury. 

In contention for their third successive promotion are Old Shrewsbury, who currently top division two, while favourites Pontesbury A continue to set the pace in the first division. Telepost head Division Three and Wem Albion B top a closely contested fourth division. 

Tony Bywater, chairman of Salop Leisure, said he was delighted to be associated with such a successful and well run league. “Many of the players in this league are caravan owners and customers of Salop Leisure who stay active and make the most of their leisure time in retirement,” he added. 

League vice chairman and fixture secretary Ed Jackson, from Condover, thanked Salop Leisure for its continued support. He said the league had been running for 30 years and was a great success story, providing an activity for retired people to enjoy every Thursday. 

“The sponsorship from Salop Leisure is very welcome because our costs are rising every year,” said league treasurer Margaret Cooper, from Shrewsbury. 

“Each clubs plays 26 league matches, which is much more than any other bowling league in Shropshire and eight meetings a year are always very well attended.” 

The other league officers are: chairman, Alan Roberts, Wem; secretary, Jack Jones, Shrewsbury; fixture secretary, Mr Jackson and competition secretary, Chris Kershaw, Shrewsbury. 

Picture caption: Salop Leisure’s marketing manager Scott Higgins prepares to bowl a wood watched by (from left) Shrewsbury and District Senior Citizens Bowls League vice chairman Eddy Jackson and treasurer Margaret Cooper. 

For more information, please contact Mr Tony Bywater, Salop Leisure chairman, on 01743 282400.