SUMMER is nearly here and for those looking to take something new and enjoy the sunshine - why not give bowls a try?

Eastover Bowls Club is hosting an open day on Saturday, April 22 and is encouraging young and old to come along and give the game a go.

Eastover Bowls Club chairman, Anne Moore, said: “Bowls is a really great game to keep you fit when you are retired, it gets you outside and in the fresh air and has a good social side too.”

President of the club, Peter Botting, added: “But it is not just for older people - these days younger people can earn good money playing bowls and those who start early have a better chance of reaching the top.”

Among them is Eastover Bowls Club member Neil Kunc, who started out when he was around aged 10 and has gone on to represent England.

He added that the club also has a number of county players, both male and female.

Mrs Moore said the club started in the 1920’s and remained an all-male club up until 1989.

“It took more than 60 years to allow women - and we were one of the quicker ones,” she said. “We currently have around 50 members and it costs £65 a year to be a member.”

The open day will feature a hog roast with visitors invited to pop along throughout the afternoon for a taster session.

“We will provide all of the equipment and we only ask that you bring flat shoes for the lawn,” Mrs Moore added.

“We will be giving training and guidance on how to play and how to get involved.”

The club has recently installed central heating in the clubhouse, allowing it to be used all-year-round as opposed to just in the summer.

“It has made a tremendous amount of difference already – before we used to come to committee meetings in the winter and would be sat in our overcoats,” Mrs Moore said. “Now we can host bingo and events and people can just come and socialise here.

“It was made possible by our committed members, a grant from Sedgemoor District Council and great support from local businesses including Biffens Funeral Directors, The Old Vicarage and Court Farm Butchers at Puriton.”

Treasurer Rod Stoodley said that the club’s highlight event of the year tends to be the Jubilee Triples.

“We get teams from across Somerset and beyond come to the event which takes place on the last Sunday in July each year,” he said. “We get 96 people attend on the day and play across six rinks. We provide tea and coffee, a three course lunch and cakes in the afternoon – it is a very popular tournament!”

The open day runs from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday, April 22. For information email Rod Stoodley at rodstoodley@yahoo.co.uk.