THE English Bowling Association celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2003, and the man with the honour of being president of the EBA during the Centenary Year is Arthur Hockley from Betteshanger Bowling Club.

He will be officially installed in the post at the association’s annual meeting in London on Saturday, December 7. The meeting will signal the start of a hectic 12 months for the 66-year-old former miner, who lives in Sholden.

He said: “To be president of the EBA is an honour in itself,’ said the former Dover Grammar School pupil, “but to be president during the Centenary Year does make it that little bit more special.

“I will be carrying the word of the EBA to all parts of the country, and also be responsible for meeting players and officials from the seven visiting countries who will be coming here to play Test matches next year.

“I will also be hosting the national championships at Worthing and the Home Internationals series, as well as attending lots and lots of committee meetings.”