With female membership down to a dozen stalwarts, Marlborough Bowls Club has issued an urgent plea for more women to join on the eve of its new season, which begins on April 22.
The club, founded more than 70 years ago, has a thriving male membership of 80 as well as a host of social members who enjoy its facilities in the Salisbury Road recreation ground.
“I’d love us to have another 20 women joining up,” club secretary Angie Watts told Marlborough News Online. “The trouble is that the perception of most people is that bowls is only for old women in cardigans.”
“But thanks to TV that is no longer true, the image is changing and younger women are enjoying playing bowls and taking part in competitions, which we have unfortunately had to give up.”
Pressure of work and looking after their families is also a problem, but playing bowls on a summer’s evening is one way of taking the stress out of life – and the normal membership fee of £50 has been reduced to £25 for new playing members.
The male members of the club, which has practice sessions on Monday evenings, have three possible leagues to play in, as well as friendly matches and gala events.
The club also stages an internal floodlit competition in September and has provisionally booked May 26 as an open evening when you go and see if bowls is a new sport worth trying.
Angie Watts is on 01672 511335