It is with great sadness that I must let you know that our President – Tony Coleman, passed away on Tuesday November 22^nd 2022.

Tony had suffered a stroke in September, from which he was making a good recovery until the beginning of November when he had another slight stroke. Following which Dr’s looked for the cause of his strokes, and the outcome was the discovery of Pancreatic Cancer.

Lesley, Tony’s wife, appreciates that many of you will know Tony personally, and asked that the news be shared, despite its utter sadness and shock at the speed of his passing.

Tony was a Founder Member of the Kraftsmen Skittle Team, started up with employees from Kraft, around 50 years ago – and in fact the only original member left in the team.

Despite retiring to Swindon, he loved skittles, both playing and being part of the Executive Committee.

He served as our Treasurer from 2000-2013, when he stood down and then served as our Vice President, until he took on the Presidency in 2019.

Tony was a familiar face ‘chalking the board’ during the Front Pin Tournaments, and being present at our Celebration Nights helping to present the trophies and Glass Mementoes.

Tony will be greatly missed in  Skittle land.

Our thoughts and sympathies go to

Lesley and All the Family;

The Kraftsmen Skittle  Team,

& All other skittling friends.

Charmian

Hon. Secretary

Sadly we have to report that Ron Bennett passed away on 30^th December at the age of 89. Ron played skittles for over 60 years, latterly with the Malvern B and Prestbury Rovers teams , and was still playing (in Summer League) until September 2016, when sadly his health deteriorated and he was unable to continue.

He will be fondly remembered for his encyclopaedic memory of past games and unusual events, and for his unfailing good humour (even managing to raise a smile when opposing teams raised the chorus of Da Doo Ron Ron for the 500^th time.)

Our sympathies go to his sons, Rob & Clive, and their families.

(Prestbury Rovers Skittle Team)

Cheltenham Skittle League were sad to learn that Jon Huckfield, who passed away recently, was in fact one of our Skittlers – playing for Cheltenham Allsorts.

Not only did he skittle in the Cheltenham League, but he played in the Gloucester League also.

Jon had served his apprenticeship at Spirax Sarco, where he was still working until his untimely passing.

The Service to Celebrate his Life, held at Gloucester Crematorium, served to emphasise what a great character he was, with a tremendous love of sport, (Rugby, Cricket, Football), a love of Skittles, who had many friends with whom he shared those events - not forgetting the great nights in the Longlevens Community Centre, and local Pubs, (including the King Teddy’s).

 It also emphasised how much he was loved and valued by so many, given that there were more people standing outside the Crematorium Chapel than could fit in it.

Our sympathies go to his family, Cheltenham Allsorts Skittle Team, and all the many friends by whom he will be missed.

‘ The games have ended, but many memories of Jon in happier times remain with us as we go forward without him.’

We were sorry to learn that Jean Brindley, Secretary, Umbrella Ladies passed away recently. Jean loved skittles, and had been Secretary of the Umbrella Ladies for many years – She was a staunch supporter of the Umbrella Pub during all its difficulties and it was sad to know that she will not play in the recently refurbished alley and pub. Perhaps it was fitting that the first game played by her team, following her passing, was at The Umbrella, against The Aristocrats who are also based there. Glasses were raised to Jean during the game – and no doubt she would have joined in with the laughter, as well as understood the tears of sorrow shed that night.

It was standing room only at her Service of Thanksgiving, a fitting tribute to a lovely lady, family orientated, and an Umbrella Ladies Skittle Player who will remain in the heart of her team.

A Poem for Jean,

penned by a teammate

A persistent tear is in our eyes

It just won’t go away

It came along the day you died

It could be here to stay

The Memories that we have of you

They will go on and on

All the laughter and the dance

And don’t forget that song (Alice)

Your comic tales, your lovely smile

Your thirst for Ginger beer

When we hit a one or miss a spare

We know that you’ll be near

With that in mind you’ll hear us say

God, wish our Jean was here !

Rosina Leach

It was with great regret that the Prairie Girls Skittle team, learned of the death of Rosina Leach – known to them as Rose, or Rosebud.

Rose was an original Prairie Girl from their formation in 1964, with her daughter and daughter-in-law playing alongside her in the past.

Rose played skittles continually in the team until the age of 92 !

A grand sum of 45 years.

She was featured in the Gloucestershire Echo (some lovely pictures), when the team asked if she was the oldest player in the League. As far as the Prairie Girls are aware, this has never been contested.

Rose was Team Captain for many years, even when in her 80’s. She enjoyed her skittles, had a good sense of fun and enjoyed the company of her teammates, some still visiting her to keep her in touch with the team when she moved into a nursing home for her last few years.

RIP – our Rose.

Doug ' Nipper' Price of  The Shadows

Doug played many, many years for the Shadows along with his Post Office Colleagues

Passed away 31 October

Awaiting more details

Daniel Patrick John Regan

'Danny'

Passed away 17 November

Richard 'Dick' Bolger

John Pearce

It was with sadness that we learnt another of our skittlers passed away on October 18^th.

John, a Traveller Skittle Player for over 50 years will be well known to many of you through skittles,but also to the community in Rowanfield, boththrough his happy cycling and whistling, and also walking the dog.He will be much missed by his family and friends who will say their final goodbyes on Tuesday November 5^th, at St. Gregory’s Church at 12 Noon.

Our sympathies go to his Family, The Travellers, The Fishers, and The Greg’s Skittle Teams.

John’s game is over, but memories of his skittling travel on………

Keith Lyons of  Duke  of York Skittle Team

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing away of Keith Lyons, the former Captain and Team Player in The Duke of York Skittle Team. Whilst you may not have come across him in League Games, Keith served on the Executive Committee for many years, and you will have seen him chalking the board, line judging etc., during the Charity Cup Games and the Front Pin Tournaments.

Keith was passionate about skittles, and really enjoyed his work with the Executive Committee.  Although his health had meant he gave up Committee work recently, he kept an eye on how we were all doing. His enthusiasm for the game, and its progression into the future will be missed by the Executive Committee.

Our sincere sympathies go to his Family, Friends, The Duke of York Skittles Team, and The Crazy Chicks Skittle Team.

‘The game has ended, but the memories of Keith playing,  bowl on’

Tony Peart of the Rolling Pins

Tony had just completed 50 years skittling with the Rolling Pins

Great friend to so many and is missed.

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing away of Jenny Hall

Jenny had been in the Merrymaids Skittle Team (Ladies Premier A) for many, many years, and she was a familiar face to skittle players

 during the Front Pin Tournaments, Charity Cup games, and the Ladies Premier A Teams.

Her enthusiasm for skittles will be missed by her team, and the League overall.

Our sincere sympathies go to her Family, Friends and the Merrymaids Skittle Team.

            ‘ The game has ended, but the memories of her playing, bowl on’