After the recent Axe Cliff Winter League competition, captain Dave Bruce made an unexpected presentation to one of the players, Rob Grove.

Rob has been a stalwart of the Axe Cliff club and indeed the senior section for many years, captaining the seniors in 2012, 2014 and 2015. He is also always ‘there’ if needed and willing to help out both the section and the wider club.

Using his excellent printing skills, he produced very professional fixture lists for 2018 for both the ladies’ and the seniors’ sections, fixture lists that were quickly snapped up by members.

For a number of years he has also produced a ‘welcome card’ for every seniors home match with other clubs so our visitors are told what they are eating as well as welcoming them to Axe Cliff with a smiling picture of the home captain for the day! Such has been the success of the fixture lists that a number of clubs Axe Cliff go to play are also adopting the concept.

Rob has also helped raise much-needed funds with his entertainment committee in promoting and running annual social events such as quizzes and bingo, amongst others, culminating in a wonderful Christmas show showing off the talents from a good number of members of the club.

Last Christmas, the event was so popular that the number attending had to be restricted to 80 to ensure the clubhouse could cope!

Rob has had some pantomine experience which he puts to good use as producer, director, master of ceremonies and so on.

Although he does all this lovingly and willingly at no cost to the club, the seniors’ committee decided to recognise and thank him by granting him a small honorarium to go some way to cover some of the costs he must have to find.

Axe Cliff captain Dave Bruce says: “Whilst Rob enjoys giving more than receiving, it is important, sometimes, for members to show their appreciation and love for all he does. Every club needs their own Rob Grove and Axe Cliff are very honoured to have the genuine article!”