It is with regret to post this news, and to advise you that John Cleverley (past Hon. Secretary for BNMS) sadly passed away on the 11th March.
John’s bowls career started at Astley Park BC, after a few seasons John then moved to St. Georges BC. John was not just a player on the green but an administrator off the green. John served on the County Executive, and for over 20 years – firstly as Assistant Secretary, then moving in to the Secretary’s role, which he served for 17 years. In addition John also was Competition Secretary for 7 years, during the same period. John also served on committees and working groups at Bowls England, where he represented Northumberland and also the wider Northern Counties. John was very much involved and the driving force when we changed from Northumberland County Bowls Association to Bowls Northumberland. John’s work was not just limited to outdoor bowls, as John was a key player when John was Secretary of Northumberland County Indoor Bowls Association, where John was Secretary when Jack Ferguson was President. As you can see and read John worked tirelessly throughout, and his commitment, along with his hardwork – we all have to be thankful for.
John represented the county over many many years, with passion and desire each time. As in the Middleton Cup he played 97 times, and a further 82 in the Muras Cup, so totalling 179 in the county first team. John also played in the Alsop Cup on eleven occasions, and in the Armstrong another 5 times. John also played in the Top Rink (now Balcomb) – and when this was selected there was only the 4 players selected, so as you can see John played at a very good level and standard. And totalling all of these up, John played for the county around 200 times. This is not taking in to account where John played in many friendlies for the county against tourist teams, as well as John playing in the annual county tours for Northumberland County Bowling Association as it was, then Bowls Northumberland.
John was a hard, but very fair competitor on the green – winning county titles and representing the county at Worthing at the National Championships. Titles include winning the county pairs with long term playing partner Keith Rowe in 2003
John was also a Lifetime member of Bowls Northumberland and in addition was awarded Bowls England Certificate of Merit – a very significant achievement as not many of these are given or awarded – very much deserved.
This is of course is very sad news indeed, and our thoughts and condolences go out to Anne, and to John’s family – and of course to the wider family of bowlers, and friends especially at John’s former clubs of Astley Park and St. Georges, but across the county as John was well known and very popular.
Funeral Details: April 8th at 3pm at Tynemouth Crematorium. Anne has requested that any bowlers present to form up to a line with the drive coming in.
RIP John – you will be missed by many.