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Llanbradach Bowling Club has been handed a £350 boost as it seeks to attract younger members.

A cheque was presented to the club’s chair, Ken Henderson, by Councillor Norma Cabble, chair of Llanbradach and Pwllypant Community Council.

The club, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, plans to invite school pupils to come and try bowls as part of efforts to attract new players.

The funding will be used to buy equipment suitable for younger players.

The club has successfully run a similar scheme in the past, welcoming pupils from Coed y Brain Primary School to try the sport. Several of those youngsters continued playing and remain members of the club today.

Club secretary Leighton Young said: “We have three members who started with the previous school project who have done very well. Nathan Hurn and Rhys Jackson have represented Wales at under-25 level. Nathan, Rhys and Haydn Williams also play at county level.”

The club is now planning to invite pupils from Coed y Brain and other nearby primary and secondary schools to take part in the latest initiative.

Alongside its youth development plans, the club has a number of events and projects lined up to mark its 125th anniversary. These include a fireworks display, children’s Christmas events, renovation work around the green and improvements to disabled access within the clubhouse.

Special anniversary matches are also planned against Bedwas and Tredegar bowling clubs, both of which are celebrating their 100th anniversaries this year.

Cllr Cabble said: “The community council is always keen to support activities involving young people in the village, and we felt this was an excellent initiative from the bowling club which deserved our support.”