A Balloch bowling club is hoping that its mix of sport and socialising can help attract new members - and combat isolation.
Balloch Veterans BC, based in Haldane, are always welcoming newcomers - regardless of whether they have ever picked up a bowl before.
The only requirement is a pair of flat-soled shoes and to be over retirement age.
Club president Gordon McPherson welcomed the Lennox along to the Talbot Road club earlier this month, and explained that he had never played the sport in his life prior to becoming a member.
“If you’ve never played before don’t worry about it. There’s always someone who can help” Gordon says.
“I had never played in my life when I came down for the first time - some would say I still can’t play too!
“You don’t have to bring any equipment, that’s all supplied for you.
“All you have to come with is a pair of flat shoes to play on the green.
“The meeting was from 1pm until 3pm every day. Because of Covid though we’ve cut it down to an hour from 1pm to 2pm.
“When we put all the bowls away we go for a cup of tea and a wee chinwag up at the clubhouse.
“I was in the Navy and I was working in the garden when my neighbour asked me if I’d considered going up to the bowling club.
“I said I hadn’t, I couldn’t buy bowls or anything else. But he told me it was a nice wee club and that I wouldn’t need bowls as the club supplies the equipment.
“I told him I wasn’t 65 for another few months, but he told me I’d be made very welcome and that was me.
“If you’re about six months short then you can join. You can play, but you can’t play any competitions. It really is a case of the more the merrier.
“You’ll always be made welcome here.”
Members don’t even have to play, with many coming along to enjoy the company and get out of the house.
One of those enjoying the warm June sunshine was Theresa Hollywood, who was sitting with partner Pat Reid and friend David Maclachlan.
She said: “There’s a great atmosphere and the people are just lovely.
“I’d never thrown one before I came here, but I’ve been the club champion three times.
“I’d never even held a bowl in my life until I came here. It’s the first sport I’ve ever done in my life!
“It’s great in the winter time because some days it’s raining and horrible and you’re not getting out. You can come here, play some bowls, have a cup of tea and a blether.”
Pat, a former club president, continues: “I was dragged along by Theresa. That’s how I got involved.
“It’s a great pass-time, especially for people of our generation.
“It gets you out, gives you another sense of a life. You’re living. Not just just sitting waiting on the inevitable.
“I would endorse it for anybody at 60 or 65. Come along. Don’t be afraid.
“Nobody is going to condemn you because we’re still learning ourselves.”
Not all the members were new to the sport in later life however, with David a member of Drymen Bowling Club.
He said: “I thoroughly enjoy coming down here. It’s open five-days-a-week and if it’s raining then we’re able to play indoors. That’s the beauty of it.
“It’s a great wee club. It’s run very well and West Dunbartonshire Council certainly look after us very well. I’ll say that much.
“The greens and the house are very well maintained.
“At Drymen it’s an outdoor club most of the time. I find there is a more homely atmosphere here.
“Most of the people live within a mile of the place. I just really enjoy coming down.”
And David’s comments were echoed by Peter Haggarty, who remains a member of the nearby Vale of Leven BC.
He added: “It was my wife who was involved first. I used to take her up to the club and normally went on a walk.
“But in the winter time I started playing the indoor bowls to get out the weather.
“It’s a good wee club. It’s not too serious, it’s more focused on the social side of it.
“I would say to anybody, not necessarily someone who is interested in the bowls but who just wants a bit of company, to come up, get a blether and a wee cup of tea and get out the house.
“It’s a shorter green than at the other clubs.
“I’d say to anyone coming up not to be frightened by not having played before.
“There are quite a few members here who have never played before. There won’t be any criticism or anything like that.
“You might get shouted at for a bit of a laugh, but everybody is very friendly.”
With its youngest members in their 60s there remains a sizable age gap to the club’s oldest member - 93-year-old Alec Hughes.
However age couldn’t stop Alec from becoming the club’s Gents Champion in 2016.
He joked: “I’m a bit of a haddie at the bowling still, but the camaraderie is fantastic.
“I could’ve had my name up long ago, but I was too shy to win. By the time I did win though it was too late for me to do it regularly!”
For more information on Balloch Veterans Bowling Club email Janette Lane on janette.l@blueyonder.co.uk or head along to the club on Talbot Road, Haldane, G83 8AB at 1pm on a weekday.
