19 Dec ROLAND SWALLOW

Kirkheaton Con bowler Roland ‘Ron’ Swallow passed away in December, just three months after he had picked up the Bistro Trophy on behalf of his teammates.

Although not well enough to play in the final at Brockholes his teammates insisted on him collecting the trophy. Roland had played in the early rounds of the Bistro right up to and including the quarter-final victory over Brockholes A at Almondbury Lib – he was unbeaten in his four outings in the competition so it was fitting that he was allowed to accept the trophy from HVBA President Richard Armitage.

His bowling career took in spells with Crosland Moor and Grange Moor as well as with the Kirkheaton Con club. A successful bowler throughout his bowling career, he won the 1990 Huddersfield Merit Final and the 1988 Barker Sports Spring Handicap. He was also a member of the Huddersfield Veteran Bowling Association’s Inter League side.

Our picture shows Roland with his Kirkheaton team mates with the 2024 Bistro shield, at Brockholes BC on a sunny Friday 6 September.

Obituary by Paul English