ASHCOMBE Park Bowls Club recently welcomed almost 70 NHS staff from Weston General Hospital for a day of team building, bowling and fun.

Now in its fourth year, the annual event was originally conceived as a thank you to NHS staff who worked tirelessly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It proved so popular the club has continued the tradition.

The day was officially opened by Deputy Mayor Cllr John Crockford Hawley, who bowled the first wood.

Then 12 teams of doctors, nurses, administrators and their families took part in three 45-minute games.

The Cider Girls, captained by club member Allan Corbett, emerged the winners, with Tiger’s Terries runners-up and Jackie Cornfield’s Pacemakers third.

Nurse Beth Goldsworthy said: “We had a great day.

"Everyone at the hospital really looks forward to this day as it’s a unique team building opportunity.

"We get to relax, socialise and have a bit of fun playing bowls with colleagues that we wouldn’t normally meet face to face.

"I want to particularly thank matron Louise Carman for organising it. She is such a supportive colleague with a career spanning 40 years in the NHS."

Club chairman Nigel Walker said: “We are delighted to be able to host the hard-working and dedicated people of our NHS local hospital.

"They work incredibly hard and it’s great to see them let their hair down for a few hours.

"Bowls is changing and we are hoping at least some of them had such a good time, they are tempted to join the club as we are always looking for new members.

"I’d also like to thank all the members who helped with the organisation and planning and who turned up on the day to make it run so smoothly and such a success.”

The day was rounded off with a performance from local band Station2Station, who had everyone up dancing and singing late into the evening.