There are over 200 members of the West Yorkshire and Leeds branch of the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG).

But that did not stop branch secretary Rodney Heyhoe from having a gentle chivvy at the absentees during the branch annual meeting at Cleckheaton Sports Club.

He said: “Our branch membership now stands at over 200. Many of the new members have been recruited after inviting them to our meetings, courses etc and, having liked what they saw, they have joined as members.”

But at the risk of a search for some emergency chairs or that the hot food provided free of charge by Keith Johnstone and John Hawksworth might run out, Heyhoe added: “Where are you all? Please try to attend the odd meeting or visit in the future.

“Bring a friend, colleague, relative, spouse, partner, offspring – or even a groundsman. You might just enjoy yourself and definitely meet new friends and colleagues.”

Heyhoe says that the branch is there to help all groundsmen – from professionals to grass-roots amateur volunteers – improve their knowledge and, as a result, playing surfaces in their respective sports and pastimes.

“We have again organised training courses, meetings and get-togethers which have definitely been better attended than last year,” he said.

“Of course, we would like more members – particularly at the younger end. We all go away learning something new and making new friends and acquaintances after each event.”

Branch chairman David Robinson said that this year marked the culmination of the IOG’s ambitious ‘Challenging Perceptions’ strategic plan.

“I think it’s fair to say that most of our goals have been achieved,” he revealed.

“We, as groundsmen, do not blow our own trumpets very much – but maybe we should for British groundsmanship is the envy of the world.

“I can tell you, however, as a national director, that the IOG, under the leadership of Geoff Webb, continues to make significant progress in establishing the importance and integrity of groundsmanship with the movers and shakers of governing bodies and politics.

“These are the people with the power to change things and, through engagement and education, it’s starting to happen.”

Robinson added: “A new strategic document is in preparation to maintain momentum when Olympic euphoria evaporates.”

* West Yorkshire and Leeds branch of the IOG, officers elected – President: Keith Boyce; vice-president: Bob Armstrong; chairman: David Robinson; deputy chairman: David Hodgson; secretary: Rod Heyhoe; treasurer: Stuart Tillotson; committee members: Eddie Thirlwell, Jonathon Smith, Sheldon Bonner, Simon Heppenstall, Kevin Byrne, Ryan Golding.