FOUNDED in 1760 Helston Bowling Club is one of the oldest clubs in the county and certainly one of the oldest to be playing on the same green.

References have been found in the county archives which refer to a bowling green as far back as 1735.

Helston was a founder member of the Cornwall County Bowling League.

This year the club will celebrate 250 years with games against Bowls England, Bowls Cornwall, the Mining League, the Past Presidents of the County and each of the divisions in the county. All club members will take part in these games.

Although the club is proud of its history it is a thriving, lively club with a strong outlook towards the future. Teams are entered in all leagues for men, ladies and mixed.

All levels of players are catered for, from county players to beginners.

There are strongly competitive games for those who enjoy them and also friendly games against local clubs and visiting teams for the more social bowlers.

Bowling is a sport which can be enjoyed by all ages from youngsters through to the very elderly and is attractive to people who have recently played more athletic sports, but no longer find themselves being selected for teams as younger players become available.

Last summer the ladies won the Date Cup and were finalists in the Rippon Cup, two prestigious competitions for which all clubs in the county are entered.

The men won the Jack Hancock Trophy in 2008 – a Mining League trophy for which teams from the Western and Southern Divisions compete. Both men and ladies have won county honours with ladies regularly taking part in national finals at Leamington.

In the winter the club continues indoors with short mat bowling.

There are morning, afternoon and evening internal leagues and short mat supports five teams which play in the West area leagues. Again there are all levels of players from the purely social to county players.

This season the short mat club have reached the final of the Rea Francis trophy, a competition in which clubs from the whole county take part. The final is a two game format and Helston have won the first game.

Throughout the year there are social functions, and each year the club raises a substantial sum for a local charity.

In both the outdoor game and the short mat club new members are always welcome with help available from senior club members to learn the skills and much encouragement from all the club members. Anyone interested in joining should contact Judith Fisher on 01326 563471.