A SMALL piece of equipment that it hopes never to have to use has been given to North Tawton Bowling Club.

Arla, which runs Taw Valley Creamery, has long links with the bowling club and when it heard the club was thinking about getting a defibrillator, offered to help.

The machine was presented to the club by Rob Whiteley, site director at the factory, shortly before the opening of the new season and received for the club by president, Mike Thwaites, the only club member to have had use of a defibrillator, but not at the clubhouse.

Welcoming Rob, club chairman John Kinsey said Arla supported the club quite strongly, commenting how good it was to have a North Tawton person at the head of the factory.

Rob said Arla was glad to support the club. It uses the new clubhouse which opened last year for training days and meetings, takes part in the annual bowls competition and several of the people who work at the factory are members of the club.

“We have three defibrillators on site and when John Kinsey mentioned the club was going to get one, we offered to help.

“We have training days at the factory for our guys in using the machine and so I shall invite some of the club to come along as well,” he said.

Rob, his wife Sally and children then watched as Mike Thwaites sent down the first wood to open the new bowling season.

John Kinsey thanked the greenkeepers Robert and David for their work, saying how a month before the green had been waterlogged. He also thanked those who had given time to tidy up the bank below the clubhouse.

The club is open to bowlers and social members. Club night is Mondays from 6pm when prospective bowlers join club members to try the game.

The club would very much welcome new members. It is on North Street in what had once been the walled garden for the Vicarage. It is a delightful spot.

Sue Read