Chippenham Park Bowls Club annual captain's day on Saturday was doubly significant as it was the latest in a long of line of events used to celebrate their 80th anniversary.

The club has been an important part of the community since its formation in June 1923 and Saturday provided its members with the opportunity of paying tribute to everyone who has played a part in its history.

As part of the anniversary celebrations the club has already played host to teams from the English Bowling Association and the Blind Bowling association, but Saturday gave the members a chance to commemorate the occasion on their own.

Club president Brian Coombs, 71, believes the club should be proud of such an achievement. He said: "To be in existence continuously for 80 years is amazing and really deserves to be celebrated. The club means a great deal to the members, who once they have joined, become members for life.

"We have a lot of members who are widowed and for them the club gives them the chance to get out of the house and meet people."

Coombs also had words of praise for the previous president, Bill Arnold, who died on January 1 after 17 years as president. He said: "At least he made it to our season of celebration. He put a lot of time and effort into our club. I am sure he will be looking down on us today and helping us make sure we have a good day."

Ralph Benham, 82, is one of the club's longest serving members having joined in 1983. Ralph joined the club three weeks before his wife passed away and admitted it was bowls that kept him going.

"It was my wife that persuaded me to join the club," he said. "Three weeks later she died and I was left on my own. The club has helped me a lot in the past few years. It has been wonderful and has kept me going.

"I just hope we can attract the younger players to join us to keep this wonderful club flourishing."

Captain's day gives the club captain the opportunity to thank the members for their hard work through the year .

Paul Barnes, 67, said: "As well as being an annual event, this year's captain's day gives us the chance to remember all the captains of years gone by."