Up Close with: Hucknall Titchfield Park Bowls Club

A Hucknall lawn bowls club is in rude health, boasting an impressive number of members, bucking the trend of many clubs up and down the country.

Hucknall Titchfield Park Bowls Club (HTPBC), on Park Drive, finished last season with a membership totalling 75. There is anticipation that this number could grow again during the season as the club is continuously on the lookout for new members.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, Committee Member Peter Dickens, said: "I've been saying lately we are a bowling success story, because generally, nationally but particularly locally, clubs are diminishing in numbers because players are diminishing in numbers and we seem to be going the opposite way. We're growing all the time."

There is a tangible sense of excitement from around the club as they embark on what will be their first full season of bowls for three years.

The Coronavirus pandemic meant that the 2020 league season was completely cancelled. Once lockdown restrictions were lifted, the club organised an internal club league to give their members a chance to play and soften the blow of not being able to play in the usual competitions. The club managed to do this to keep people's spirits high whilst adhering to all of the social distancing regulations and public health guidance that was in place at the time.

Last year, the start of the season was delayed until the end of May which meant the players only got to experience two thirds of a season.

Fast forward to 2022, and with the Government recommending that people adjust to 'living with Covid', the season was able to start at the beginning of May as it normally would. It promises to be a busy schedule for HTPBC with a lot of their players involved in competitive leagues.

Mr Dickens said: "This year we're in 8 divisions across the three bowling associations that cover this area. I think there's 105 league matches this year plus the cup matches we have to play because we're in those leagues, and that's in addition to the three times a week roll ups (on) Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday."

Roll ups are non-competitive matches, or social bowling where the players who turn up on that day divide themselves into rinks and play together purely for the enjoyment of the game.

However, the club isn't just looking to recruit experienced players or those who are desperate to play in leagues. They are also looking for complete novices, people who want to just give the sport a try to join too.

"We pride ourselves that we're a progressive club, we're a fully inclusive club," added Mr Dickens.

The club held an open day last Saturday (14 May) to give people an opportunity to try the game but they are always happy for people to contact them enquiring about giving the sport a try, this can be done by visiting their website here.

For new players, there is the added advantage that the club now has two qualified coaches on its books, including Mr Dickens.

"We have two coaches now. I've been a coach for seven or eight years. During the winter, another of our members has done the official national coaching course, so we have two coaches here. There's two reasons why we're keen to have coaches here: one is to bring in new people, people who literally come and say I want to know how to play bowls; the other purpose for the coaches is to help develop the players' games, in other words we can watch what they're doing and give a bit of advice as to how they'll perhaps improve their technique. It works."

One of the key selling points the club uses to attract people to the sport is the physical and mental benefits of playing bowls. In terms of physicality, the game involves easy walking as well as regular stretching and bending. In terms of mental health, aside from being out in the fresh air, it provides an opportunity for players to communicate and socialise with a variety of people which is particularly good for those who live alone.

"I would say this is a sport for any age absolutely any age," concludes Mr Dickens.

For further information about the club visit their website by clicking here.