A SHORTAGE of short mat bowlers is affecting the Exmoor village of Wootton Courtenay.

The village club urgently needs more members for its weekly sessions after a fall in numbers from a high of about 24 to just a handful.

Club treasurer Terry Matthews said: “At one time we had two thriving teams and we played in the league and other competitions.

“But over time due to old age, people leaving the district or dying, we have slowly and surely shrunk.”

Mr Matthews said only about half-a-dozen members remained, ‘enough for a game but not enough to build up a team to enter the league or anything like that’.

He said the club had all the necessary facilities and could even loan a set of bowls to anybody who was interested in taking up the sport.

“If you are new to the sport, you will soon pick it up and we will teach you,” said Mr Matthews. “All you need is a pair of flat-bottomed shoes.”

The club is open to all ages from 16 years from any community, not just Wootton Courtenay, and meets in village hall on Thursday afternoons from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

Mr Matthews said if enough people wanted to join, the club could also hold evening meetings to accommodate them.

League matches used to see the club travel across an area stretching from Carhampton to Brushford.

Anybody who is interested can call Mr Matthews on 01643 841004 or email him at [email protected].