top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon
Explore
arrow down

Bowled over by French mayor’s generosity

A lawn bowls club has got its own home thanks to the generosity of the local mayor.

The Périgord Lawn Bowls Club was the first of its kind in France when it was created near Nontron, Dordogne, in 2006.

It had been playing at two English-style restaurants during the summer and inside at the salle des fêtes at Saint-Martial-de-Valette in winter.

Now, Alain Lagorce, the mayor of Saint-Martial-de-Valette has given the club land to build its own green and clubhouse.

Secretary Rosemarie Preston said: “Unfortunately, the restaurants were not ideal venues as the club had no autonomy and we needed to secure a more permanent future for the club.

“We asked the mayor if he knew anyone who might have some suitable land.

“We were amazed when he asked us to get into his car and took us to a plot next to the Nontron sports complex and said we could have it to develop our own outdoor bowling green.

The club has been granted permanent use of the land and all the legal planning documents have been put into place.

“The mayor joined us in a ceremony to turn the first spade of earth and work has begun. We are stunned at how generous the commune has been.”

The green will be a full six rinks and club members have been fundraising over the past 12 months, accumulating sufficient funds to hire a digger and buy the building materials. Volunteers did the manual work and the next project will be to build a clubhouse.

The club has 56 members, including six who are French.

Membership costs €20 a year and you can join by getting in touch with club president David Preston, on 0555 78 59 94, or go the salle des fêtes at Saint-Martial-de-Valette, where they meet every Wednesday from 14.00.

Have your group featured

The Connexion regularly features news and events from community groups all over France. We would be pleased to publicise your association (non-commercial) – it’s a great way to bring in new members and it is free! You can submit events via connexionfrance.com/Community 

To have your association/group featured email details to news@connexionfrance.com   

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France