Residents across Wirral are being encouraged to feel the benefits of being more active by trying a beginners course in bowls.

And the organisers say that taking part can give individuals a boost, feel more refreshed and is a great way to meet new people.

‘Bowl for Health’ is a six to eight week programme designed for complete newcomers to bowls, providing an overview of the basics and how to play a match. Run by welcoming coaches and club volunteers, the programme is brand new to the Wirral, free of charge and is available in nine different clubs across the borough.

One participant who completed the course in Sefton, Tom, 60, explained how taking part has helped him to feel less isolated.

He said: “Being on my own is very difficult – it’s hard to come to terms with the fact that you can’t turn around to speak to anyone. I got a note through my door about the Bowl for Health course and I was really interested in joining.

“My father was a great bowler in Liverpool and I used to go and watch him play, but I’d never played before myself. I’ve only been playing bowls now for a short time, but I’ve found the activity very invigorating – both from a physical and mental side – so with this you get the best of both worlds and I’ve made lots of new friends.”

The programme is being led by physical activity organisation MSP, after being successfully rolled out across Sefton and the wider Merseyside area over the last two years. The idea for Bowl for Health was developed and successfully piloted in 2017 by Formby Village Sports Club, and the programme has also had support from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Danny Woodworth, from MSP, said: “Being active doesn’t need to mean joining a gym, it’s about finding an activity that you enjoy - people have told us that bowling is a great way to enjoy gentle exercise in a relaxed and sociable environment. Bowl for Health is for anybody to join in with - it doesn’t matter what your age, experience or level of fitness is.”

Bowl for Health is also being supported by the Merseyside County Crown Green Bowling Association.

Bill Dow, the MCCGBA Development Officer, said: “We want to take crown green bowls in to the 21st century, and dispel the myth that bowls is just ‘an old man’s game’. In fact, bowls is a sport for everyone, that keeps people of all ages physically, mentally and socially active.”

Sessions are starting up across the Wirral in April 2020:

• Bebington Park Bowling Club (Town Lane, CH63 8LD) starts 10.30am to 12.00pm Friday 17th April 2020, running for 8 weeks. For more information or to book a place please contact Phil Spencer on 07733 304896 or email phil.spencer48@yahoo.co.uk

• Bromborough Social Bowling Club (Bromborough Recreation Ground, off Hadley Avenue, CH62 7AW) starts 10.30am to 12.00pm Tuesday 21st April 2020, running for 8 weeks. For more information or to book your place please contact Paul Chapman on 07434 885936 or email paulxchapman@gmx.co.uk

• Heswall RBL Bowling Club (78 Pensby Road, CH60 7RF) starts 10.00am to 12.00pm Tuesday 7th April 2020, running for 6 weeks. For more information or to book your place please contact Mal Andrews on 0151 606 0102 or 077461 14840

• Hoylake Central & Melrose Bowling Club (Proctor Road, CH47 4BB) starts 10.30am to 12.00pm Thursday 16th April 2020, running for 6 weeks. For more information or to book a place please contact Sue Nugent on 07867 973436 or email suenugent86@gmail.com

• Oxton Conservative Bowling Club (Village Road, CH43 5SR) are running two courses, starting 10.30am to 12.00pm Tuesday 14th April 2020, running for 8 weeks (for more information or to book your place please contact Stan Newell on 07791 274198 or email t.newell@sky.com) and 11.00am to 12.30pm Saturday 18th April 2020, running for 8 weeks (for more information or to book your place please contact Bill Dow on 07843 184688 or billbobdow@gmail.com)

• Port Sunlight Village (Bolton Road, CH62 5DH) starts 10.30am to 12.00pm Tuesday 7th April 2020, running for 6 weeks. For more information or to book your place please contact Carol Gould on 0151 200 0672/ ciclare@hotmail.com or Kevin Turner on 07840 562392/ kevin.sheena@talktalk.net

• Poulton Bowling Club (Mill Lane, Wallasey, CH44 3BP) starts 12.00pm to 1.00pm Sunday 19th April, running for 6 weeks. For more information or to book your place please contact Keith Bennett on 07713 081243 or email KayBea@hotmail.co.uk

• Upton Victory Hall (Salacre Lane, CH49 0TA) starts 10.30am to 12.30pm Thursday 23rd April 2020, running for 8 weeks. For more information or to book your place please contact John Sherlock on 07902 596791 or email johnsherlock21up@gmail.com

• Victoria Park (off Bebington Road, Prenton, CH42 6SH) starts 10.00am to 12.00pm Tuesday 14th April 2020, running for 6 weeks. For more information or to book your place please contact Richard Norbury on 07851 671069 or email r.norbury@sky.com

For further information about the programme please visit merseysidesport.com/bowlforhealth or call MSP on 0151 728 1811.