This year is special for Feniton Bowling Club as it is the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the club. 1971 saw the club’s first public meeting in the local school, chaired by the then secretary of the Devon Bowling Association, Stuart Vivien.

The meeting established that there were enough people interested in forming a bowling club. A committee was formed and it was decided to form a fully mixed bowling club.

The hard work then started in earnest to raise the necessary funds. Many and varied fund raising events, such as regular bingo sessions in the village hall, also dances and barbecues to the sound of the Teign Valley Stompers, were held over several years. The committee approached Brigadier Acland who agreed to lease the club land adjacent to where British Telecom was going to build the telephone exchange in the village. After a great deal of hard work by all concerned, spread over several years, the pavilion and green were opened in 1979.

The club is very proud that 40 years later it is still going from strength to strength. Throughout, those 40 years it has faced many problems. Initially, it was difficult to get other clubs to play against, as most clubs at that time did not play mixed matches. At the end of the 1986 season, a disaster fire completely destroyed the clubhouse. Thanks to a good insurance policy, the club was able to rebuild and the new clubhouse enabled skittles, short mat bowls and many social events to take place. The green which is considered by many to be one of the best in Devon.

?The club’s opening drive is on Sunday, April 17, starting at 2pm. The green and pavilion are looking great after a lot of hard work by the members.

New members, either established players, juniors or beginners are welcome.

Beginners will be given free coaching to make them sufficiently proficient to play in matches. Two nights (Mondays and Fridays) a week are set aside for internal bowls. These nights are both social occasions and a chance for informal practice and the opportunity to meet other players outside of match situations. Anyone interested, contact Ton Kury, club captain, on (01404) 850053.