HIDDEN amongst the sweeping landscapes and villages of Ebbw Vale is a sports club that has been the heart and soul of the community for almost a century.

Founded in 1926, the Beaufort Bowls Club celebrated its 90th anniversary this year and is an outfit that is intrinsically tied the people and mining history of the area.

Over the years, the club has enjoyed individual honours at district, county and national level, maintaining a high standard in Monmouthshire County Bowls.

They also have a men's team and women's team — which celebrated their 30th anniversary this year— and actively encourage youngsters to get involved.

Kath Mower, 59, was drawn into the world of bowls when her father took her along to watch games as a child.

She said: “My father has played bowls since he was about 16 and today the club's age range is between 15 and people in their 80s.

“Beaufort has always been very dominant and has been one of the best clubs in the borough.”

Despite the Beaufort Bowls impressive competitive record, when tragedy strikes the groups's strong community core can provide a crucial lifeline.

Ms Mower explained: “One of our members Clyde Sutherland lost his daughter in a car accident in Newport and in response the club rallied and held charity nights in her memory.

Clyde’s brother and club stalwart, Ian Sutherland was former bronze medal winner, competing in the Commonwealth Games in 1974 and 1978.

She added: “They were so good at helping him through."

Ms Mower’s father, Tom Daniel, 72, has been a life member of the club, seeing it grow, succeed and eventually settle at a permanent centre, the Beaufort bowls green.

He said: “In 1979 we renovated the existing clubhouse which was derelict and it still stands there today.

“The best thing about bowls is the family element as it’s something you can play with your children or grandchildren.

“I used to bring my daughter Kath along when she was younger and one of my grandsons has played at an international level for Under 25s.”

He added: “It can be quite a physical sport at the top levels and some of our members have heart problems and diabetes but still take part.

“Regardless, come rain or shine, we always get through it."

The club has an impressive competitive record, winning national titles in the form of Welsh pairs in 1960 with Rhys Bowen and Keith Holl — a feat repeated in 1971 by Tom Daniel and Ian Sutherland.

Year on year, the group continue to win titles and currently have two members, Roger Harvey and Chris Klefen, representing Beaufort as part of the Welsh team at Llanelli internationals.

Despite the club's strong history, club chairman, Peter Williams, 56, believes sport recreation continues to suffer under the “financial squeeze” of council budget cuts.

He said: “As a result (of cuts) sport has been hit badly and it has put pressure on all clubs with some folding and some struggling on.

“It's in this climate that we have taken the bold step of taking over the running of the green from the local authority, effectively becoming a private club.”

The club took ownership of their own green this month (March 1) and Mr Williams described the move as an “exciting step” which he hopes will lead to more success in the future.

Beaufort’s president is 85-year-old Graham Jones, who carried on the legacy of former presidents Jim Wyburn and Keith Holl who have both since passed away.

Alongside flying the flag for Beaufort,Mr Jones is president and patron of the Monmouthshire Bowling Association, the Welsh Bowling Association and the British Isles Bowls Council.

He joined the club in the 1950s after contracting tuberculosis after a stretch of national service in the Royal Army Pay Corp and has seen several generations of champion players tread Beauford's green.

He said: “I started bowling as a youngster and ended up taking over as secretary of the club at the age of 23.

“Relatives of the founding members of the club have gone on to win championships across the years and its very family orientated in that way.”

He describes the privatisation of the Beaufort Bowls Green as “a gamble” and agrees that community sports clubs are under threat.

He said: “My concern is that in the past clubs like this were owned by Mining Associations but after councils took them over they became vulnerable to government cuts.

“The amount of cut backs to clubs has seen a massive drop in membership but luckily we’re financially stable at this time and can take it on.”

After coming close in two semi-finals in the past, the “number one target of the club” remains as the prestigious Carruthers Shield, an accolade recognising Welsh club champions.

Chairman Peter Williams added: "Bowls is a sport available to all ages and abilities so if anyone has a desire to give it a go, get in touch and we can direct you to one of fifty clubs still operating in Monmouthshire.”

For more information on Beaufort Bowls Club call 01495 302927 or email petercharleswilliams59@gmail.com