Family and friends of the late Phil Branch gathered at the Conservative Club to play skittles for the Phil Branch Cup in his memory.

Family and friends of the late Phil Branch gathered at the Conservative Club to play skittles for the Phil Branch Cup in his memory.The cup was eventually won by Gary Vinnicombe who received it at the club's Presentation Night, recently. The event raised �130 and a cheque was presented to members of the Hospiscare team, who attended a further gathering of family and friends at the club.A spokesman said: "Phil was a long-standing member of the club, who loved his skittles. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered for his unique throwing style, which usually meant he would be half way down the alley before the ball was!"Many thanks to everyone who took part."The Phil Branch Cup will now be an annual event and will be incorporated into the club's Inter-Club Skittles calendar which runs from September to April every winter.