If you are interested in wanting to start playing or simply looking for a club to join, whether you are able bodied, blind or disabled, please contact Tony Ludbrook (Captain) via email address:- info@downsmanbowls.co.uk.  The information below will help you understand a bit about our club. 
 

Our Ethos 
While we are a bowls club, competing in friendly matches, league matches and in county competitions, we have an ethos that embraces our whole approach to being members of the club.   We are a family who look out for one another, engage with one another and are very welcoming to new members. Everyone is encouraged to introduce themselves to new members and we include them in club activities and while not everyone can get on with everyone, we pride ourselves on being democratic, not cliquey and very friendly.
 
We aim to provide bowls opportunities for everyone, whether it be just roll-ups, or friendly matches against other clubs, internal competitions, external leagues and county competitions. 

We class ourselves as a mixed club, hence we only have 1 captain, who can be male or female, and all our matches against other clubs are mixed.  We do not play against clubs who do not provide mixed opposition.   There are two exceptions however as we do play in 1 men only league and 1 ladies only league. 

We also have a Welfare Officer who will send cards and flowers to members who are unwell, and a Social Secretary who not only organises social events,  but who ensure members key birthdays and anniversaries are not overlooked and arranges cards and cakes. 

Club Night 
The club night is held on Monday evenings throughout the season (April to September).  This is to allow members to roll-up for a friendly game of bowls as well as where we hold the internal league matches.  We have 6 rinks, and 3 used for the roll-up and 3 for the league. 

During the roll-ups members are encouraged to engage with newcomers and welcome them and encourage them to join in, particularly if they are seen alone. Coaching is available most Club Nights, without prior arrangement.     

After the bowls, we welcome members into the pavilion where tea and cake are available, as well as something stronger if that be the preference as we have a small, licenced bar serving a selection of bottled and canned beers, wine and soft drinks. 
 
Coaching 
The Club has two experienced coaches in Angela and Robin Machell, Robin also being a National Umpire. The club offers coaching for all skill levels – beginner, intermediate, and experienced with the format ranging from one-to-one sessions that address specific problems, through to more formal courses on specific subjects. Amongst the coaching subjects offered are  - delivery techniques, etiquette, basic rules of the game, marking, measuring, reading the head, understanding the positions and specific roles in “rinks” and “triples” games  There is no charge for any coaching which is included in the annual membership fee.   

Short Mat 
While we are an outdoor club, we have a thriving short mat element to the club, running from October to April.  This offers similar activities to that of outdoors, eg rollups, competitions and matches against other clubs. 

So if this is the kind of club you would like to join, please contact Tony Ludbrook (Captain) via email address:- info@downsmanbowls.co.uk