1946

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1946

Alsop Trophy

Ralph Alsop was the Club's first chairman, serving until 1942, then he was the Club's president until 1945.

The extract below is from an article in the Evening News, Friday September 20th 1946. It relates to the Alsop Trophy, which is competed for by the County "B" team.

E.B.A. ProgressAnnual meetings will soon be the order of the day - or evening - in the sphere of bowls. There is plenty of room for new ideas if the game is to progress. Those able to assist should do so.Pity is that so many bowlers take out of the game more than they are prepared to put into it.How often, or to be more precise, how seldom does the average bowler give a thought to the organisation of the particular event in which he is engaged? There are players who hinder rather than assist in the smooth working out of the season's programme.As one with many year’s service behind the scenes I write from experience. Even some of our local club secretaries fail to appreciate what their duties are. Fortunately, these few exceptions are crowded out by real live-wire clubs and individuals who, in the main, are responsible for the recent progress of the game.Outstanding personality is Mr Denis C. Neylon, of the Souter Park Club, Monkseaton, president of the Northumberland County Bowling Association E.B.A.A keen player, well-known throughout the Northern counties, and one of the men who, it can be said, makes your sport. He is responsible for the recently proposed formation of a county second team for next year.This is assured, for just a few weeks ago Mr Neylon made the suggestion to Mr W. Prentice, the Yorkshire president, and Mr Alwyn Alsop, the Durham president. They later contacted Cumberland and Westmorland officials who were also interested.Following further discussion Mr Ralph Alsop, of Durham County, Vice-President of the National E.B.A. clinched the idea with a generous and sporting gesture by producing a suitable trophy.The next step is a meeting of representatives of all four Northern Counties. This is to be held in Newcastle shortly. Next year’s county matches, apart from the Middleton Cup competition, will be - "A" team, county competition for the Muras trophy, "B" team, for the Ralph Alsop trophy.Suggestion is that they be played on the same day (Saturdays) one team away, the other at home. This ensures two entirely different teams.

On the same page

The bowls article in the Evening News was surrounded by adverts, and only one other article. Some of the details are relevant to 1946 - note the references to coupons, short supply, National Health Insurance, and the Ministry of Supply.

A. Robson and Co. Ltd. of Nile Street, North Shields were open all day, 9.30 till 5.0, but closed at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Their new arrivals included:

"STOCKINGS. Very fine plated Lisle, 8½ , 9, 9½ and 10. 1½ coupons......2/11"

Mansion Polish was advertised:

"Upon my word. What a beautifully polished floor. What do you use?"

"Mansion Polish. It's so easy."

Use sparingly - still in short supply.

J. Calder Gillie, F.B.O.A. (Hons) of Tynemouth was advertising as a "National Health Insurance Optician". This was before the NHS was created in 1948. In 1946, spectacles would have been a big expense for many, and only affordable through schemes like National Health Insurance.

Other adverts included Andrews Liver Salts and Germolene Aseptic Ointment.

Other than adverts, the only other item on the page was a photograph captioned "Workers of the Ministry of Supply, West Chirton, in the opening scene of their Works Wonders concert, which they are giving in the depot canteen tonight". The Ministry of Supply was abolished in 1959.