WHAT goes on behind the big green doors? Answer: North Tawton Bowling Club.

Members are asked all the time by visiting bowlers about the history of the club and how it came to be in such a unique setting.

Well, before 1952 local men played bowls informally on the vicarage lawn.

At the time, tennis courts were located in the vicarage vegetable gardens, where the bowling green now stands.

The church commissioners decided to sell this piece of land, which was purchased by Walter Martin with the intention of creating a bowling green.

Initially four rinks were constructed using sand from Bude and ashes from local gasworks, transported by Gregory’s lorries.

The first date of play was April 23, 1953. The greens were levelled and reseeded and officially opened on August 21, 1955, so later in the year we will be celebrating this 70-year milestone with a special competition.

Our lovely clubhouse was constructed in 2017 with help from local charities, lottery funding and of course the people, including members, of North Tawton. It really is a clubhouse to be admired.

On a more current note, our green will be opened for the summer on Saturday, April 19 at 2pm.

If you would like to come along and see what bowling involves, you would be most welcome.

All you need are flat shoes, it couldn’t be easier! During the summer, we have informal sessions where we practice or roll up on Monday evenings from 6pm, and again you are most welcome to turn up on these evenings.

If you decide you want to get more involved, some taster sessions and tuition can be arranged.

For any further information, please visit our website northtawtonbc.co.uk or call John Kinsey on 07707 807136.