Tuesday, 27 July 2010 09:46

People with a visual impairment in Bute and Cowal who have an interest in playing bowls are being urged to make their voices heard.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Sensory Impairment Team has been approached for help in forming a Bowling Club for Visually Impaired people in the area, provided that enough people are interested in the idea.

Area manager, Shirley McHugh said the team would be delighted to help get such a club off the ground, if the demand was there.

“We are asking for anyone with a visual impairment who would be interested in this idea to get in touch with us,” she added.

“You may have played bowls in the past, or perhaps have never bowled but would like to take it up. Bowling for people with visual impairments may sound unusual, but there is a huge community of visually impaired bowlers all over the world, and many clubs in the UK hold competitions for people with visual impairments.

“The Scottish Association of Blind Bowlers (SABB) has confirmed that it is keen to be involved and is willing to come and meet with potential members, if requested, to share its experiences and explain the special techniques used by visually impaired bowlers to play.”

The SABB also has access to a National Bowls Coach, who would be willing to help train new players in Bute and Cowal if the proposed club is established.

A meeting has now been set up at Upper Cowal Bowling Club in Cromlech Road, Sandbank, PA23 8PZ on Wednesday, September 8 at 2pm, which it is hoped anyone interested in getting involved in such a project will attend.

“What we are keen to do at this stage is to gauge the levels of interest in the Bute and Cowal area in this proposal,” Shirley McHugh said.

“Only once we have an idea of the kind of numbers involved can we make a decision about how best to proceed.

“I would urge anyone who is interested in what’s being suggested to come along to the meeting and find out more about what sort of thing is being planned.”

For more information, please call Shirley McHugh, Area Manager, Sensory Impairment Team on 01369 701066.