BERE Alston Bowling Club had their 'Big Day' when they were hosts to a team from Bowls England led by its president Joan Balding.

Joan was supported by her joint vice-president Rosemary Ellman-Brown, Dave Tucker, who is director of bowls for Bowls England and her captain of the day Carol Horgan. Other dignitaries were present including last years Bowls Devon president Brian Edwards.

The match had been arranged to celebrate the amazing achievements of Bere Alston Bowling Club in which they have financed and built a new green and club house without any outside financial assistance.

Club chairman Ken Bellchambers thanked Joan and Bowls England for coming to Bere Alston and making it such a memorable day for the club. He also praised the huge contribution to the project made by club member and contractor Cliff Dyer. Cliff designed, planned and built the green, club house and all the included facilities. Ken also thanked the many members that had assisted Cliff with the many hundreds of man hours which they donated to the project.

The club spent £250,000 and now has a facility which is worth in excess of £500,000.

Ken said: 'Joan Balding and her team were all more than complementary at what we now have and the way in which it has been achieved. The match was a light hearted affair with laughter and banter coming from all sides of the green but at the same time the competitiveness was intent because no one, especially Bere Alston, wanted to lose.' However, Bowls England won the match by the narrow margin of 16 shots.

The club thanked the Times for their support and coverage and ITV Westcountry who came along and did a live Weather broadcast which included an interview by Bob Crampton with Ken Bellchambers and Joan Balding.

Rink Skips and scores: Ken Bellchambers beat Joan Balding 24-23; Keith Whitting lost to K Kerley 16-17; Colin Squire drew with A. Lloyd 17-17; Ray Spry drew with I Norme 17-17; Sue Whitting beat A Hockey 18-13; John Sowden lost to W Manley 10-31. Result a win to Bowls England 118-102.