PAULTON Bowls Club have recently held a successful Race Night to raise funds for renovations, in particular, the installation and provision of a disabled toilet.

The event was compered by the Chairman of the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust Bryn Hawkins with his Filmed Horse Racing.

The coal miners have long been associated with the Paulton club since the inauguration in 1922 when the field and bowls club were purchased for £1000. The Coal Industry Act compelled the mining companies to pay 1 penny per tonne of coal produced into a welfare fund; 80 per cent was spent on recreation, health and education, the miners also contributed paying 1 penny of their wages towards purchasing and the up keep of recreational fields and buildings.

The field and bowls club was handed over to the Paulton Parish Council in trust in 1973, which was the year the last two mines closed. Following a recent suggestion from one of the club’s longest standing stalwart members who over many years has played a major part in the work and running of the club Trevor Francis, it was agreed the club would accept a 3 feet metal miner from the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust to be installed on the club’s premises in recognition of the miners who worked hard to bring the bowls club into being - and, of course, as a constant reminder of this feat.

At the end of a fantastic evening of fun - which was enjoyed by everyone who was involved in the event - Bryn Hawkins handed over a cheque for £1000 to Club President Dave Cocks which was donated by the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust to assist with the renovations to the disabled facilities, for which Paulton Bowls Club is extremely grateful.