THE sun may not have been shining when Weobley & District Bowling Club opened their new clubhouse last Thursday but the mood among the members could hardly have been brighter.

The new building, supplied by Timber World Products and funded by grants from Bowls Englands, Awards for All and the strenuous efforts of members in a project masterminded by Barry Griffiths, is an excellent addition to the club's green, which was inaugurated two years ago.

In the absence of president Doreen Cable, the pavilion was opened by Michael Cable.

"There are so many people to thank, we would be here until supper-time," he said.

"But I must mention Awards for All and Bowls England who have been supportive in so many ways.

"And thanks to all the club members for the hours spent working on this pavilion. It has been a lot of work for a lot of people."

Rev Bob King, vicar of Weobley, who blessed the new building, said he understood the pain and difficulties the club had been through to get to this position.

"But if you had not been through the Good Friday of those years, you would not be celebrating the Easter Sunday of today," he said.

Angela Harris, the immediate past president of Bowls England, offered her congratulations, too.

"You have done wonders here since my last visit two years ago and this is such a super spot,"

she said.

"Best wishes for everything to come - I hope that, one day, I can come back here to play."

"I am delighted to be here,"

added Herefordshire Sport's secretary Bryan White.

"There are three institututions which keep a village going - the school, the church and the sports clubs.

"You have got here by hard work, self-help and motivation and the club can only get more and more successful.

"I'm sorry the sun is not shining today but it is such a bright day anyway."