By the end of the 2008-2009 season all space on the original silver salver that had been presented each year to the winners of this Division was completely covered in engraving. It so happened that this coincided with the retirement of Mike Hancock and the salver was presented to him in recognition of his service to the HBA as President and Membership Secretary over many years. Apart from the recognition, it was a fitting memento for someone who had captained the team that had won it 24 times. The new trophy from 2010 is a Claret Jug.

Division 1 is generally of 8 teams playing head-to-head matches of 24 boards – originally a match of 32 boards. At the end of the season the bottom two teams are relegated to Division 2 and two are promoted.