Members of the Newport Indoor Bowling Association are delighted with the re-furbishment of the facilities at the Glebelands.

They have suffered constant problems with water seepage and the green has been out of use since June. However, their patience was rewarded with the re-opening last Saturday.

They now have an electronic scoreboard and the first blue bowling “green” in Wales, which they hope will attract people used to seeing a blue surface on television.

New members are always welcome and the Centre is open from 10 am to 9 or 10pm each day. There are tuition sessions for beginners on Sunday mornings.

The Newport Chairman, Ron Harris, who can be contacted on 672 440, described the facilities as “magnificent”. The re-opening ceremony was performed by Deputy Mayor, Mark Whitcutt, and Cabinet Member for Leisure, Mike Hamilton, with local councillors in attendance.

There was a match between the Newport Association and members of the Welsh Indoor Bowling Association and the Welsh Ladies. Torfaen bowlers were represented, as were visually impaired and deaf bowlers.