THE 160-member Wellington Bowling Club have been given two grants worth nearly £65,000.

Viridor Credits has handed over £48,000 in cash for the club to replace the roof over the indoor rink.

“We have not been able to make a start on the project because of the bad weather,” said Brian Wombwell who is secretary of the club, having joined it only two years ago. “The roof has leaked in the past and this money will enable us to solve the problem.”

The club has also been given a grant of £16,795 by Taunton Deane Borough Council to enable it to become ‘disabled friendly’.

“These grants will make the club a much nicer place,” said Mr Wombwell. “We have expenses like any other club. We are an expanding club and membership is the best its been for years. It has increased considerably.

“About 130 of our members play bowls. The others are social members. Bowls is a sport which attracts a lot of younger people. It is these players who are winning the big competitions. The image of bowls being a old ladies or man’s sport is long gone.”