THE 46-year history of the York Open Bowls Tournament is at an end after appeals for new organisers went unanswered.

The tournament committee have spent 18 months attempting to secure the future of the competition by advertising for a new secretary.

However, no one has come forward to take over from retiring secretary Graham Brooke and the competition will not be held in 2014.

Brooke lamented the loss of a popular tournament, which was held at Clarence Gardens, West Park and Glen Gardens every July.

“After numerous posters, fliers, press releases and notices in tournament programmes over the past 18 months asking for a new secretary to run the York Open Bowls Tournament, no one has come forward to take on the role,” he said.

“Several suggestions have been considered by the committee over the past two and a half months, none of which had much substance and none of which included anyone willing to give 100 per cent effort to the running of the tournament as secretary.

“Without a secretary to organise and co-ordinate everything, it is not possible to ensure it is run to the standard it has been for the last 46 years.”

Brooke confirmed the majority of the existing committee were planning to stand down, adding: “It is with regret that the committee have to announce that the York Open Bowls Tournament will no longer continue.

“I have been on the committee for at least 12 years, five years as secretary after taking over from Ian Farrar, who had the role for the previous seven years, but it is now time for me to move on.

“It has been a privilege to be part of the history of this great competition, working alongside the chairman Doug Richardson and other members of the committee who have served the tournament for a good many years.

“My thanks go to all them and I am sure all of the bowlers of York will be grateful for the time and effort they have given to the tournament long before I became involved.”