As places to play sport go, there can't be too many better than Tewkesbury Bowling Club.

Situated in Gander Lane, club members could almost be forgiven for losing focus as they gaze over the Vineyards to the imposing Abbey that dominates the beautiful market town. It is a setting that will be enjoyed by hundreds of bowlers again this summer.

This year’s outdoor season is just getting under way and new press officer for the club, David Moss, author of A Theocsbury Storyteller, is looking forward to the next chapter.

“We had our annual ‘opening of the green’ at the start of April and this year we were honoured to have Mayor of Tewkesbury, Karen Brennan, carry out the formalities on the special day.” he said. “It was followed by the traditional match between club ladies and gents and this year the winners were the men who won for the first time in three years.”

The club boasts an overall membership of more than a hundred made up of about 50 men bowlers and between 25 ladies and social members and are embarking on a five-year campaign to attract more players.

“We want to see more young players taking up the sport,” said Moss. “Too many people think bowls is just for retired or older people, but it isn’t. We’ve not many players under the age of 50 and that’s something we are hoping to change.”

Moss 60, didn’t take up playing bowls until his mid-50s and it is something he regrets.

“I’ve thrown myself into bowling and I really enjoy it,” he said, “I wish I’d started decades earlier. It gives me a sense of purpose, a sense of achievement and I’ve made lots of new friends.”

Formed in 1828, the club moved to its current home in 1975 after its original location, behind the Bell Hotel in Church Street was developed for housing.

They are holding an Open Day on Sunday, May 7, starting at 10.30am, to promote the club and the sport. Moss added: “We want people to get active, have fun and play bowls. It’s an open invitation for people to come along and see what we are all about.

“There will be experienced players around to offer help, advice and guidance to whoever wants to try the game.”

Although the aim is to have fun, there is a competitive side to the club with the men playing in the North Gloucestershire League and the ladies playing in the Gloucestershire Ladies A & B Leagues.

The men are captained by Dave Boulton and the ladies by Jan Bishop. Both have been in the role for 10 years or more and Moss said: “They have the knowledge and experience to push the teams forward; they are the string that hold us all together.”

It’s not just lawn green bowling that’s played at Tewkesbury. There is also a very successful Short Mat Bowling section captained by Stewart Minchew, current county singles champion. Two of the ladies, Gill Johnson and Carole Preece, have been selected for the England Ladies Short Mat Bowling Squad.

The club’s facilities have also been improved with the clubhouse being extended last year and hosts the club’s ladies’ skittles team, Bowling Pins, who play in the Tewkesbury and District Ladies Skittles League.

It’s a very successful club and Moss, whose book is a collection of short stories, says that even after 189 years there will be many more tales to tell.