WINSLEY Bowls Club players have switched to wearing coloured clothing this season in celebration of their 115th anniversary year.

The club made a successful application to the county governing body Bowls Wiltshire to wear coloured shirts, white with blue and yellow trim, for the new season.

Club secretary Dave Rees said: “We are the last remaining club in Wiltshire to make the change from traditional white to coloured clothing.

“We took the decision at our AGM in November 2016 but it was only ratified recently at our 2017 AGM.

“We’re hoping it will enable us to attract new members and sponsorship in our anniversary year.”

Mr Rees said the club has managed to secure new sponsorship to help with the introduction of the coloured shirts following the successful application.

“The club is not looking to add the sponsor’s name on the shirts but we are willing to place an advertisement of sponsorship on the wall of the Clubhouse, where it will be viewed by passing traffic, including the 265 bus.”

The sport’s governing body, Bowls England, changed its rules several years ago to allow clubs to wear coloured clothing.

It has strict guidelines as to what players can and cannot wear and the wording and logos on coloured clothing. No changes can be made without their approval.

Bowls England said: “If a club wishes to play in coloured clothing then it is an expectation that all participants must wear the same matching design, except by prior local agreement between the participating clubs or the organising body (i.e. County Association).

“Should an event be sponsored, any other logos depicting other sponsors will not be permitted to be worn, unless approved by the event sponsor.”

Founded in 1903, the same year as the English Bowls Association (EBA) was formed by W G Grace, the Winsley Bowls Club is one of the smallest in Wiltshire with only 39 members. It plays in the Wiltshire Four Rink League.

For all that time, the Winsley clubhouse and rink has remained at the heart of the village next to the Village Hall and behind the Seven Stars public house.

But despite ongoing efforts, including an Open Day, the club has only 26 men and 13 ladies in membership and is in danger of losing some who wish to transfer to other clubs.

Newcomer sessions are being held from 6pm on Monday evenings from May to September for anyone interested. Only flat sole soft shoes are required.

Anyone interested in joining should contact, Mr Rees on 01225 863714 or email dave22@clara.co.uk