This is a tribute to our Chairman, a man I always say is “Mr. Belle Vue Bowls.” His dedication and continuous hard work for the club is superb, and the time he gives seems never-ending. From cutting the green to organising our internal competitions and making sure everyone is well, he is always busy finding things that need doing.

Without Malcolm, Belle Vue Bowling Club simply would not be running today. He has been bowling at the club for over 30 years. He doesn’t just play for our club, either; for many years, he has played numerous matches throughout the season alongside other members for the County.

Whenever we play away matches, the number of opposition players who know him is unbelievable. Wherever we go, he is greeted with genuine warmth. His unique sense of humour is on another level and he can keep an audience entertained for hours. Quite often when he is telling you something, you find yourself waiting for the punchline—which invariably comes.

When you play a match with him, you are guaranteed plenty of laughs. There is his famous saying, “We are holding 9!”—even when there is a maximum of 8 woods on the green and we are probably only holding 1 or 2. Then there are his tactical instructions, like “same again but different,” or advice that leaves you thinking, yeah, right! For example: “Right, I want to come through this gap, hit that wood, come off it to get a wick on this one, and then rest on the jack.” The chances of that actually happening are extremely slim, but he always makes the game fun while still trying to win.

Malcolm is always upbeat; you never see him miserable or in a bad mood. No matter what is going on around him, he only ever shows this positive side to the world.

This is a proud year for the club, as Malcolm serves as President of the Vale of Glamorgan County Bowling Association. He has given a huge amount of time to this prestigious role, effortlessly carrying out the various duties that come with the post. Malcolm always gives 100% to everything he does, and his commitment to the sport is second to none.

Here is to many more seasons of the same.