SIDEMOOR Bowling Club is unique. Set away among the trees of Holly Road, the club has served its members for the last 81 years.

Yet not one competitive wood has been bowled on its green - because it is the wrong size.

Club founder William Crane donated the land for the existing green in 1923 before the days of league bowls.

So when league bowls was introduced, the green was not regulation size. And it remains that way.

Ten years ago the club, who play friendlies against other clubs, extended the playing area by two yards but it is still nine feet short of normal size and there is no more land to develop.

Club bowling began in the form of federation bowls, which involved two woods and a roving jack moving around the green. A six feet measuring stick was used and all woods within that distance counted. Sidemoor members then reduced the stick length to three feet to increase the standard of bowling.

When membership flourished the club switched to present day rink bowls in lanes.

And the club is still thriving. It has a 60-strong membership and offers a friendly bowling facility for the people of Sidemoor.

The new season started two weeks ago and runs until September. Social activities, including monthly wist drives, fill the winter break.

President of 17 years, Ken Cattell, said the club is a man and wife club but also encourages single people.

He added: "People don't realise there's a bowling club here. There has been a hell of a lot of good bowlers who started here."

Among those is world singles champion of the 1950s William Irish and the club has also produced English Bowling Association, county and national bowlers.

The club is always looking for new members, young or old, and offers a £5 monthly trial period. After that there is a joining fee of £20 and £40 annual subscription. Flexible payment options are available.

For further details, call Mr Cattell on 01527 875887 or secretary Mary Clifford on 01527 875493.