Saturday 27th September saw the HSMBA’s annual social evening take place at Ross Bowling Club. 82 HSMBA members gathered to celebrate eachother’s achievement in a night filled with laughter, camaraderie and most importantly ending with a fantastic ploughman’s feast.
Now in its third year being held at Ross Bowling Club as the season curtain raiser, those in attendance were greeted by a fantastic array of trophies before grabbing a drink and getting their heads down for the annual quiz set against the backdrop of some all-time classic music. The award ceremony was led by HSMBA Chair Joe Loveys who gave an overview of the 2024-25 season before being joined by HSMBA President Sue Stannard to present the awards. The trophies were once again provided by the fantastic Chrome Awards of Gloucester and organised by Sophie Heather-Warner in an eye-catching display.
Following the main presentation of competition and league trophies, an additional surprise special recognition award was announced, with the return of the ‘Administration Award’ for the first time since 2016. HSMBA Secretary and League Secretary Ian Roe was recognised for “his significant contribution to the Association’s post Covid recovery”. Ian was described by Joe as ‘the HSMBA’s engine’, working across both his roles to ensure the HSMBA puts its best foot forward in all that it does. Meanwhile, this year’s Llangarron Achievement Award was presented to Woolhope’s John Mills in recognition of ‘his outstanding representation of Herefordshire at County, National and International levels, his phenomenal consistency and unwavering sportsmanship and support of those around him’. Herefordshire’s leading national representative with 36 appearances at ESMBA nationals across all disciplines, John also returns to the England Squad this year for his fourth international season where he will represent his Country in this year’s British Isles Championship’s at Solihull and everyone at the association wishes him the very best for the season ahead.
Following the awards, the moment everyone was waiting for arrived as the fantastic two course supper was served, the results of the quiz were announced and the raffle was drawn. Joe Loveys closed the night by thanking all those involved in making it happen, with a special thanks to Becci Cox for organising the event and most importantly the food as well as Dean Rudman and Steve Kite for their work in the kitchen. The Association’s thanks also goes to Ross Bowling Club for hosting as well as Glyn behind the bar who as always got one of the biggest cheers of the evening!
The HSMBA thanks all those who attended and made the night so successful. Thus far we have received some lovely feedback which we greatly appreciate. Please contact hsmbachair@gmail.com with any positive or constructive feedback you may have as we look to continue to improve the event year on year.