As the winter season winds down at the Rangiora Bowling Club, preparation is well in hand for the opening of the summer season on September 5.

However, prior to getting down to the serious business of competition or social bowls, anyone wanting to try their hand at the sport is welcome to attend ‘Have a Go Days’, this Saturday, August 22, or Saturday, August 29.

Both days start at 1pm and people can stay and play for as long as they like. The only requirements are flat soled shoes, and a “sense of humour’’, a club spokesperson says. 

Social afternoons are held on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting at 12.30pm. People can pop in and have a chat at the club on the corner of Blackett and Good Streets.

There is also a Wednesday tournament during the summer season.

Meanwhile, the greens are open to members every day of the week for practice, competition or just an hour or two, provided they are not in use.

Coaches are also available for advice at any time.

The great appeal for lawn bowls is it is a “sport for life’’, any age can play, and you can play as little or as often as you like, socially or competitively.

The Rangiora club is 120-years-old, with its first season in the summer of 1906. There has been a lot of change in that time from the attire to the bowls. Men in the early days wore all white uniforms with hats, ties and blazer, and the women wore long white skirts. The bowls were either black or brown.

Today there are coloured shirts, shorts and players roll up multi-coloured bowls.

The club has two natural greens and one carpeted green, allowing play for 12 months of the year.