User:Babyboomer09/sandbox

Introduction

I was unable to attend the 1996 A.G.M. and in my letter of apology to the League Secretary, I reminded her that the League would be celebrating its 50th Anniaersary on the 4th."Aug,ust X-997.

Later that year, the League Executiae Committee inaited me to compile ahistory of the League which would form the basis of a booklet to be issued to celebrate the Anniaersary. I have aery much enjoyed researching and writing this history and also listening to the reminiscences of aarious people.l must stress that my comments are not necessarily those of the League Executiae Committee!

The main trouble I had was deciphering some of the handwriting in the earlier minute books (my own included), For a number of years these haae been typed, so the personwho does thehistoryfor 1997 to 2047 shouldhaae an easier job.

Finally,l hope all those who read this history will enjoy it, whether they go back personally to L947 or haae just joined a club in the Leagie.

A meeting to form the League was held on Ath August 1947. A consensus of opinion suggests it is mostlikely that the meetingwasheld at St.Thomas's School, Marriott Street, Stockpart. There""is no record-of any minutes being taken at this meeting, which has not helped with my research. The meeting utas attended by representatirses from clubs who used to meet in friendly matches. We do know that the following people were present: losd Sutton (Edgeley), Philip Robinson (Bredbury St. Marks) and the late Cliff and Alice Ratcliffe (St. Thomas's). Another founder member who could haae been at the meeting was Maurice Watson. losi and Philip are now both Life Vice-Presidents.

In 1992, when I was doing some research into the history of the League, I concluded that the following clubs were represented at the meeting. Bredbury St. Marks, Christ Church, Edgeley, Hatherlow, Marple, Romiley Methodists and St. Thomas's. Howeaer, during recent talks with losd and Philip, they are both unable to confirm that Christ Church and Romiley Methodists were actually represented.

It is sad to relate that none of these seaen clubs are members of the League today.

Erank L. Hadfield April1997

Officers

In the January 1985 edition of the League News Sheet, there was an article written by 'A.Mugghs'. It is worth reprinting some of this article in order to stress the amount of work done by the League's officials and their commitment to ensuring that the League is run smoothly.

Following then are extracts from the article which was called - "This is Official".

Did you know that since the League was formed in1947 (37 years ago) there have only been four Presidents/Chairman, nine Secretaries, nine Treasurers, thirteen Match Secretaries and ten Results Secretaries,,,,, this is not a new version of the Christmas Carol. Records show that the firat Tournament Secretary was appointed n1957 and since then there have been eight. Other officials have been ten Publicity Secretaries since 1961, five C.C.B.A. Representatlves since 1959 and six Coaching Organisers since 1970. In other words, if each offlce had been held by a different person each year, in37 yearc there could have been 268 people lnvolved, whereas only 74have actually been involved. It is interesting to note thEt lome people have moved from one office to another, and others keep coming back for more.

What makes people want to get involved in running the League, and why so few? Well, with so few attending the A.G.M.s and most of those belng club officials, they probably feel that they are doing enough already. The otherE for onc rcason or another avoid the Chairman's eye. Some, however, find themselvea preacganged in or even volunteer! Why get involved? I'm quite certain that it is not for the feeling of power, there is nothing to suggest that this is the case, It is more ltkely to be that they have a love of the game over and above playing it or, in some cases/ have become administrators when their playing days are over, Some of us really love the work, and I would miss the incoming phone calls during mealtimes, late at night and before break{ast. Oh how I would miss them!

Every season the handbook contains the names of those people who have won something. Perhaps the time is ripe for including the full list of officials from 1947 to the present season in the handbook as well, because, lets face it, the officials invariably do more for you than ]oe Bloggs who won the Men's Singles in 19 something will ever do. I know that we don't always do as you think that we should, but we do try to do our best for the League as a whole.

Finally, remember that at the next A.G.M. you too could become one of the few doing so much for the many' signed,A.Muggins,

A lot of Mr. Muggins comments are still pertinent today.