IT'S a fine time to get out in the sun and a bowls club is looking for new recruits.

West Oxford Bowls Club was established in 1924 but is now in need of more members.

President Eric Fry said it was partly because fewer former cricket players were taking up the game, but also because of traffic on the Botley Road.

The club's pavilion – rebuilt in 1982 from one formerly in Cutteslowe Park, and blessed with its own bar – is hidden behind West Oxford Community Centre.

But Mr Fry, who joined in 1999, says there is still plenty going for bowls, which is described as "truly the sport for all" by national associations due to its low cost when compared to others.

He said: "I've been playing since about 1976 and got into it through the old gas board team.

"You can have a game of bowls, tuck into a bit of bread and cheese and have a couple of pints.

"What could be better? It beats television any day."

Lifetime member Reg Trinder, whose hand print can still be seen with others on one of the pavilion's walls from when it was built, said many local clubs were now "struggling".

He said the past year had seen the demise of both the Oxford Bowls Club, formerly known as both Pressed Steel and Rover Cowley bowls club, and the Florence Park Bowls Club.

The 87-year-old, from Cumnor, added: "It is tough for a lot of clubs now, there are not as many younger people going into it.

"But it is a good way to make new friendships and you meet all kinds of people.

"We played against Bill Fagg [former Lord Mayor of Oxford] a couple of times, you are all equal when you're playing bowls."

There are 28 people in the West Oxford Bowls Club at present and games are played on Thursdays and Saturdays.

It only costs £65 a year to join but Mr Fry said other sports were becoming more popular: "A lot of people who played cricket used to move on to bowls when they got older.

"But now a lot of those people play golf instead.

"We have also had some problems with the Botley Road. There were league games on the same day as the university open days and we didn't get started until 6.55pm because no one could get here through the traffic."

Bowls is played on a green, with players rolling their bowls – which are shaped so they take a curved path – from a mat at one end towards a small white ball called 'the jack' at the other end.

To be successful, players must get their bowls closer to the jack than their opponents.

It is usually played in singles or in teams of pairs, triples or fours.

"We'd love to welcome more people to our club," Mr Fry added.

"It's a great game and everyone is so friendly, that's probably what I like most about it."

Find out more at westoxfordbowlsclub.co.uk or call Mr Fry on 01235 555482.