Bridport Bowling Club has celebrated its 100th anniversary with a lunch and friendly match against a Bowls England team.

The idea of a Bowls Club was first mentioned at the March 1921 annual general meeting of the Bridport Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club. It was announced that a green was to be laid at Brewery Field, now the site of Bridport Leisure Centre. It was laid within a year costing £200.

The club later moved to its current home, near the River Brit, after land was donated by President W.S. Edwards in 1929. The new green was laid in 2930 at a cost of £750.

The club celebrated its 100th anniversary last Wednesday, with a light lunch for members and special guests, including the outgoing Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Ian Bark, and mayoress Anne Bark.

After lunch, the club played a friendly match against a Bowls England team that included the Bowls England president Deepak Tanna of Leicestershire, senior vice president David King-Taylor of Nottinghamshire, and players from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Sussex and Hampshire.

Cllr Bark commented: "Almost as soon as the match started the sun broke through and the sky turned blue which made it perfect for sitting under the verandah with a pint whilst chatting to members and watching the play on the green.

"It was abundantly clear to me that there is a really friendly atmosphere at the club and that it is as much about enjoying each other's company whilst playing the game and socialising afterwards in the clubhouse, as it is about winning.

"Club member Steve was a most generous host throughout our visit. Thank you Steve for making us feel so welcome.

"The club offers a warm welcome to new members and, with that purpose in mind, runs taster sessions where residents of Bridport and surrounding villages can come to the club and try out the game in a very relaxed, inviting and jovial manner with club members on hand to show them the rudiments of the game and a tour around the facilities."

The next taster sessions will be held as follows:

• Saturday, May 13, 10am – 12pm
• Saturday, May 20 10am – 12pm
• Saturday, May 27, 10am – 12pm

For further details contact Liz Kennedy on 01308 480930 or email lizneu@hotmail. com

From left, David King-Taylor, senior vice president Bowls England; Paul Tibble, Bridport Bowling Club president, the Mayor and Mayoress of Bridport, Cllr Ian and Anne Bark; and Deepak Tanna, Bowls England president