Heavitree bowls club among those benefiting from Exeter’s Community Lottery
Published: 2 November 2023
Heavitree Bowls Club is one of around 90 community organisations who are benefitting for the Exeter Community Lottery.
The club, which has been at the heart of the community in Heavitree for more than a century, is appealing for new members to ensure it continues long into the future.
Based at Heavitree Pleasure Ground, the club organises a number of taster sessions throughout the year to give people the opportunity to try out the hugely popular sport.
The club are also hoping to raise funds to buy smaller sets of bowls which will increase the range of players able to enjoy the sport, including older people and children.
Club Captain Derek Parsons said: “We arrange a number of taster sessions and we are always encouraging people to come along and have a go - you will always get a friendly reception.
“One of our current initiatives is looking to get smaller sets of bowls because we want to make it easier for a variety of people to come along and have a go.
“We are keen to get as many people involved as possible because it is a great sport. It is such a good opportunity for people to get outside and talk to other people, the benefits are enormous and I would say to anyone come along and try it – you will get a very friendly reception and we look forward to seeing you.”
Graham Hockin, Treasurer of Heavitree Bowls Club, said: “We have now started with the Exeter Community Lottery, which is absolutely fantastic. We are almost up to our initial target for ticket sales which will bring us in a good income during the year and without having an income we would not survive.
“We’ve been here since 1907 and we are a pillar of the community - people come from not just Heavitree but from all over Exeter to come and play bowls here.”
Cllr Barbara Denning, a member of the City Council’s Executive, said the Exeter Community Lottery is a perfect way for people in Exeter to support the club.
She said: “The lottery funds are beginning to come through now and those funds are going to be a real help. Things like having the green maintained are expensive – there are a lot of costs and the lottery will help with that.
“I would say to anyone who is part of an organisation – fill in the form and see if you can join the Exeter Community Lottery and get as many people as you can to play, because it will bring you in an income and that is so important for community groups in Exeter.”
For more information about signing up to the lottery or for details of how to play it visit the Exeter Community Lottery website.
For more information visit the Heavitree Bowls Club website.