New Presidents elected at AGM

New president and chairman elected

Retired Army Brigadier John Wallace, honoured for his services to the military with an OBE in 1994, has been elected the next men’s president of Stamford Indoor Bowls Club.

The 71-year-old will be officially inaugurated into the role at the club’s annual presentations on April 25 (7pm), alongside new lady president Valerie Du’Kett, already competition secretary of the Northants Women’s Bowling Federation. 

Keighley-born, Brigadier Wallace joined the Army, through the Sandhurst Military Academy after studying at Sheffield University. During his 32 years in the service, he moved through the ranks, while stationed in Germany, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Cyprus and Pakistan.

He served in both the Bosnian and Iraqi War conflicts finally commanding the Army College of Logistics in Surrey. He was also director of Army rugby community and finance until his retirement in 2009.

John took up bowls at Malmesbury in Wiltshire and won the novice singles last year before moving to Rutland and joining the Ketton outdoor club and Stamford IBC, where at well over 6ft he is already a towering figure on the green, representing the club county league matches.

His arrival has coincided with a changing of the guard at Stamford IBC, with Margaret King stepping down from management committee chairman to take up the role of company secretary. She replaces Ken McKellar who is moving away to be nearer his family, having been a club member since its formation in 1990.

On behalf of the members, both were thanked by incoming management committee chairman David Oakey for their services to the club, together with chairman of directors Keith Rippin, currently recovering from ill health.

Mrs King reported another successful year for the club with membership currently at more than 560 and subscriptions and rink fees not due to rise. 

The club, she said, was proud of the national and international recognition of Stephen Harris and Owen Aspinall both of whom continue to play in its domestic league programme. And following the club’s recent proposal to the Lincs IBA, she was appreciative of the county’s decision to return to regional status for county matches next season, which had earlier led to Stamford teams withdrawing or not fulfilling fixtures.

However, she reminded members that the club was totally run by volunteers - from carpet cleaning to bartending - but more were needed to step forward, especially to take on reception duties for two-hour sessions that operate seven days a week.

Officers elected: president J Wallace OBE, lady president V Du’Kett, chairman, D Oakey, secretary J Hynes, treasurer  S Suffling, fixture secretary T Barwell, competition secretary B Orme, A team captain N Wright, B team captain J Suffling, Over 60s captain K Vinter, friendlies N Orme, women’s captain C Ford, committee J Lonslow, M Webb, L Hulme, A Hynes.