The new outdoor lawn bowls season has begun - with mayoral assent given to two clubs in St Albans.
Councillor Anthony Rowlands, the Mayor of St Albans & District, sent down the first bowl of the year at Batchwood Hall.
The club, currently undergoing a change of uniform, was well attended under blue skies with many players in white and royal blue.
The mayor supports the St Albans Fund for the future: All Ages Together, which helps to increase social cohesion, helping people of all ages forge new relationships and enabling friendships, by bringing the generations together.
The club were able to support this with a donation.
A new season also means plenty of opportunities for lapsed or novice bowlers to come and try the sport.
Batchwood are holding three open days, two of which are on Saturday and Sunday, both running from 2pm to 5pm.
The third one is on May 19 at the same time.
A spokeswoman said: "Should you wish to get involved and if you fancy a little gentle exercise, please come along to one of our open days.
"Bowls is an easy game to enjoy, embracing all ages and all abilities, so why not come along and give it a try.
"We are an active and welcoming outdoor club with a full calendar of friendly and competitive events during the summer along with social events throughout the year.
"My husband and I joined the club in April 2022 as complete novices, having never played bowls before, and must say that after attending one of their open days and being introduced to various club members who made us very welcome, we really enjoy the game.
"We have found a new hobby and made great friends that have been very helpful and supportive, which we all know in today’s world is very important."
The only requirement is to wear flat-soled shoes or trainers, all other equipment will be supplied.
That is the same advice from Townsend Bowls Club, who are holding their open day on Saturday at their Waverley Road base in St Albans.
The day runs from 10am to 4pm.
Their opening day celebrations were also in the presence of the mayor and lady mayoress, both of whom offered their congratulations on the quality of the green and enthusiastically participated by bowling the first woods of the new season.
Cllr Rowlands also made presentations to those involved in winning the county club championship, as well as to Janet Metcalfe, who was confirmed as an honorary life member of the club, by virtue of her enthusiastic and active involvement across all aspects of club life.
The traditional game between the club captain's select side and one chosen by midweek captain Robbie Ransted, ended up in a narrow win for the latter.
Two rinks claimed the honour of best performers - Bob Lawrie, Andy Stovell and Nigel Whittle as well as Roger Potter, Brendan Silke and Anne-Marie Stuart-Reid.
More than 60 members of St Albans Bowling Club also welcomed the busy mayor, as he sent don the first wood at Clarence Park.
Matches among the members followed with John Harvey, Rod Perks and Roy Andrews ending the day with the best points margin, winning 19-10.
St Albans is holding three open days across two weekends in May, the first on May 11 with the other two across the bank holiday weekend of May 25 and 26.
For more information including details for booking, go to www.stabc.co.uk
Harpenden Bowling Club continues to grow and are also on the lookout for new members.
They enjoyed record attendances at two of their come and try days in 2023 with a high proportion of those attending choosing to become members.
This year their two open days are on Sunday, April 28, between 2pm and 5pm and Tuesday, April 30, from 5pm to 7.30pm.
The club is based in Spenser Road, off Milton Road, and flat-soled shoes is again the only requirement.
Harpenden Indoor Bowling Club are bringing their season to a close, with one of their latest fixtures bringing a first defeat since Christmas.
They went down 76-57 to Woodside with the top rink of John Bell, Kevin Yui, Shirley Brookes and John Favell winning 18-12.
That loss was put right a day later with a 102-40 success over Datchworth.
Peter Hagart, Janet Metcalfe and Ian Hamer were the top rink, winning 34-8.
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