A TRIO of good sorts have been praised at an awards ceremony in Chippenham for their work in supporting disabled bowlers.

Tony and Maureen Hulbert and Mary Ballard were thanked by members of Chippenham Disabled Bowls Club for helping to make the club a success.

Praise was heaped on the trio for their selfless work in ensuring the club ran smoothly and encouraging members who have a wide range of disabilities.

The event took place at the indoor bowls club off Litherland Close at the North Wiltshire Indoor Bowls Club on Friday, April 12.

Members of the club were given a number of awards from being the most improved to being the top scorer in their class.

They included Les Andrews, John Parkin, Robin Mortimer, Sue Holton, John Holton, Bev Watkins, Brenda Werkham, Bruce Webster, Khalia Elde Hussain, Chris Plail, David Watkins, Amy Roberts Phare and Matt Woolford.

Khalia was also given a special award for her part of the club's Gold Medal winning team who came top in the recent England competition in Basingstoke.

She was in the team that included Sue Simmons and Gillian Man who scooped top place on April 3, in the Disability Bowls England Inter Triples Competition when they held off the challenge of Swindon's Manor Bowls Club to finish in pole position.

Mary Ballard who handed out the awards to the bowlers said she had helped to start the club 11 years ago with bowlers from Great House.

Since then due to the enthusiasm of the members and especially the role played by the helpers, the drivers and the pushers the club had grown to more than 40 members and expected to expand further.

Sue Simmons who joined the club and is wheel chair bound said she didn't realise you could bowl from a wheel chair.

The chair is adapted so the bowlers arm is free to release the bowling ball in the usual way.

Visually impaired bowlers including those who have no sight can also play with the help of partners, friends and helpers.

Indoor bowling is a boon for the members as Sue Simmons said the club can play all year round despite the weather.

On Saturday, May 11, the club will stage an open day from 10am to 4pm to welcome members of the general public who may like to join or to hear more about their activities.

The club is based at the much larger North Wiltshire Indoor Bowls Club who have a number of teams and compete at county and national level.