11 Aug CONGRATULATIONS DEREK AINLEY

On Tuesday 8 August it was the writers privilege to present a 90 year Certifimcate of Achievement to Derek Ainley of Huddersfield RUBC. Derek wasn’t selected that day when his team were playing at Ravensknowle Park but if the team had needed him I’ve no doubt he’d have pulled on a shirt and his trainers as he had done earlier in the season.

My association with Derek goes back nearly 50 years when we were close neighbours and palled around on nights out with our respective wives. At that time he was golfing and I was starting out on my not very illustrious bowling career but I like to think I planted some seeds in his mind and he turned to bowling later, being notorious for turning up at the wrong green.

We are expecting other photos with his RUBC team mates which will be posted later. I’m indebted to his daughter Diane for the featured image. The picture shows the presentation with RUBC club rep and captain John Lockwood.