Visitors to Lydney Bowling Club will be made to feel very comfortable this season.

That’s because the club’s pavilion underwent a major makeover last year to coincide with their 90th anniversary and the new-look facilities are now being enjoyed by all bowlers.

“It looks very good,” said chairman Mick Tinson. “We got the work done in the winter and it was ready for the start of the outdoor season.”

The club’s rink is based in Bathurst Park. “It’s a beautiful location,” Tinson said. “We’re very lucky because we love the game. It’s a smashing game and it’s a very friendly sport. We’re also very, very lucky because we’ve picked up some new players in recent times.”

That has taken the playing membership to 52 – they also play short mat in the winter – and Mick added: “We’re in a healthy state but we don’t rest on our laurels.”

The number of women bowlers has also increased although Mick would like more. “A couple of years ago we only had three ladies but now we’ve got eight,” he said.

Mick, himself, is a relative newcomer to the sport.

“I started playing five years ago,” the 71-year-old said. “I watched a friend from Coleford play at Lydney and I decided I wanted to play as well.”

So how good is he?

“I’m certainly nowhere near county standard,” he laughed, “but I can hold my own.”

Mick, a retired fire alarm engineer and originally from London, had only been at the club for 12 months when he was asked to become their chairman.

“I got the job because no one else wanted to do it,” he chuckled. “I chair meetings, try to get prizes from local businesses for our tombola and we’ve also introduced a charity event that we hold every other year.

“I’ve been a chairman at other clubs so I’ve done this sort of thing before.”

 It’s clear the club are in good hands.