27 May HVBA PRESENT £1250 TO KIRKWOOD HOSPICE

Mike Pointon of Huddersfield Recreation today helped me present a whopping £1250 to Kirkwood Hospice, the proceeds of the 2024 John Hoyle Trophy.

John Hoyle was elected President of the Association in February 2020 at our 50th anniversary event. Unfortunately he died within a couple of months of the event at the Kirkwood. His family generously donated a trophy which took over from our Select Player trophy and has become the finale of our season for the last four years. The family donate the prize fund and many raffle items and request that the proceeds of the event are donated to the Kirkwood.

The event has grown and grown over the last four years and in 2024 the veterans bowling community raised this magnificent sum which was 250% higher than the previous year and given us a huge target to emulate or surpass this year. We have made a small start at the recent pairs final held at Almondbury Liberal Club.

The £1250 was made up of nearly £700 in individual donations, entry fees of £80, the 8 finalists chipped in £130 from their winnings, a raffle at our 6 monthly presentation event and donations totalling £250 from Huddersfield Recreation.

The Moldgreen Conservative green has become the home of Huddersfield Recreation due to John Hoyle’s negotiations with Huddersfield Town when their Canalside green was required for player welfare purposes. John’s teammates at Canalside are due most credit and take pride in organising this event which has become the Associations community event.

Today marks the start of our efforts for 2025. Onward and upwards! Division 1 and 2 players can get their entries in now and if clubs could run their own mini comps and raffles, every little donation will help.

Photos courtesy of Bob Haigh.