This letter was circulated to all Club Secretaries in the Chester League. Following a brief discussion of this at the recent Council meeting, we now publish the letter in the hope that one or two people may consider taking on the posts as below. 

Peter Smeaton has served as Vice Chairman from 1999 to 2002 and then Chairman until now. Derrick Lester took over as Secretary, effectively in 2003 and has continued to the present. Both served on the League Council prior to these officer appointments.

However, Derrick and Peter have encountered increasingly indifferent health over the past year or so. In both cases we feel that we will no longer able to fulfill the League duties we have undertaken for the last few years after the end of the present season. It seems reasonable to give this early notice in order that the members have as much time as possible to find replacements.

We would both like to emphasise that there are no "issues" here. We enjoy (or imagine that we do) the support of the majority of the members. But there has to be a time to step aside, especially when health matters intervene. Thus, this is not a case of "well, OK then, just one more year" or anything like that. At the next AGM we will both stand down. But we sincerely hope that people will come forward to continue the work of the League.

Neither of us feel empowered to "annoint" or indicate preference for our successors. But what we WILL do is to offer guidance (if requested) to any newcomers who take up the mantle on any matter which we have experience.

If fit enough, Peter will continue to run the website if the League so wishes, although it would be advantageous if a volunteer could be found to be a "back up" for this.

We both hope that a positive outcome can be achieved, since we clearly have strong attachments to the Chester League. Given the time, and the playing register of some 800 members, we are confident that the League will continue and maintain its position as one of the more the pleasant Leagues in Cheshire.

Peter Smeaton (Chairman)

Derrick Lester (General Secretary)