Beautiful Babbacombe is a bowls paradise

There is nothing more beautifully British than a warm summer’s day with the gentle sounds of bowlers navigating their greens in glorious sunshine.

Torbay is blessed with some superb bowls venues and up there with the most picturesque is the blooming flowers of Babbacombe Bowling Club, where competition and social enjoyment blend perfectly in the surrounds of Cary Park.

For Babbacombe member Brian Williamson, 81, bowls is more than just a sport, it is the chance to spend time with friends and sharpen your skills on the greens, but the former Scout leader is keen to see fresh blood introduced to this magical game.

“I’ve been playing bowls for around 50 years,” said Brian. “My father was the greenkeeper on a bowling green in Berkshire and I brought that love for the sport down to Torbay.

“I’ve been at Babbacombe Bowling Club for over 20 years and was heavily involved with the Scouting movement in my younger days, alongside running my own business as a builder.

“The magic of bowls is the company, having a good laugh with friends and enjoying the sport. I honestly believe Babbacombe is one of the best clubs around and a superb green to play on.

“The great challenge of our sport is judging the green and adapting to the different conditions. The green bowls different, dependent on the weather, and you have to adjust. It is similar to a putting green in golf and you have to learn the nuances to play well.

“We have a number of club competitions and two teams competing in the Mid Devon League. There are a variety of formats in bowls and we play in County competitions.

“Our club membership is just over 90 people but the challenge for us, and many bowls clubs, is to attract the next generation. We would love to have younger players join us on the greens and it is a minefield to navigate the safety regulations.

“Parents don’t have the time to be here all the time while children learn the game, so the answer is to invite groups of youngsters to play under the supervision of our qualified coaches. We have people at the club who are keen and willing to teach people the new game.

“When new members come along, the coaches will spend time with them to understand bowls and perhaps the answer is for us to visit schools and introduce bowls to young people.

“Scouting has a similar problem with numbers, as parents have to juggle their time and it is our job, as adults, to remove barriers that prevent people from being introduced to all sports.”

While they grapple with these challenges, there is no question the current members at Babbacombe Bowling Club are thriving and the spirit of the sport remains as strong as ever.