STUART McCall – a highly respected stalwart in the world of bowls and golf – has died at his Highcliffe home after a long illness.

He was 79.

A company move brought him to the town of Highcliffe from Hertfordshire in 1966 and he took up bowls at his local club 22 years ago with wife Valerie because they wanted some sporting interest together – even though they were regulars at tennis and on the golf course.

He was club president in 1999 and, four years later, president of the Bournemouth and District BA.

He became president of Hampshire County BA in 2009 – the first Highcliffe member to do so – and was a major figure on the Hampshire unification steering committee as well as being an umpire.

He served on that steering committee for three years and was the original chairman of Bowls Hampshire when the new organisation was born in January last year.

He still held the post of chairman and was due to retire at the BH annual meeting in November.

Full story in David Briers' Bowls Spotlight in today's Daily Echo.