Latest news with #TonyJackson
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bowling club members celebrate 125th anniversary in style
A bowling club in Carlisle has been celebrating its 125th anniversary with a special event. Courtfield bowling club first opened its doors on June 7, 1900 and has been a fixture in the city's sporting scene ever since. On Saturday, June 7 more than seventy members and friends attended Courtfield Bowling Club to celebrate the special event in the club's history. Members of the club got in the sprit of the event and arrived wearing Victorian era style clothes to help celebrate the anniversary. Club members in Victorian dress (Image: Supplied) Just before the end of the 19th century there had been a growing demand to increase the number of bowling clubs in the city. Discussions had taken place about forming a new club at least two or three years prior to the actual opening. The land on which it is built had previously been occupied by market gardens, owned by the Duke of Devonshire, and these extended from Courtfield Crescent all the way down to the river Eden. Permission had to be granted by the Duke and then passed through Parliament before construction could start. Opening day at the club in 1900 (Image: Supplied) Despite some bowls clubs around the country struggling, Carlisle remains a hot bed of the sport and Courtfield is still 'thriving' with around 100 members. 'We're a very welcoming club,' said club member Tony Jackson. READ MORE: The Sands Centre announces 3 shows rescheduled for 2026 | News and Star 'The club prides itself on fostering a warm welcome and inclusive environment where both beginners and experienced players can develop their skills. 'Other clubs are struggling a bit but I think some of the Carlisle clubs have increased the membership this year and we've increased ours slightly which is good. 'It's a great little community and we do attract people in just to come in and have a drink or come and watch a game and it's a lovely environment to be in.'
BBC News
24-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Two-year waiting list' for thatched roof repairs in Devon
Roof thatchers in the South West have said they have a backlog of at least two years' work, partly due to a shortage of people wanting to work in the say the short-supply of straw and several seasons of bad weather have made it harder to keep up with the demand for Devon and Cornwall Master Thatcher Association said fewer young people were making inquiries about learning the thatcher Tony Jackson said: "We used to get 12 to 15 applications of people wanting to be apprentices but in the last six years we've had three or four, it's dropped right off." Will Sanders started work as Mr Jackson's apprentice six years ago and said he greatly enjoys his job."I worked a summer with Tony and I really enjoyed the labour, working with my hands, and that was it for me," he said."You are constantly learning too, which is great."Tom Paterson said he became a thatcher's apprentice after leaving a career as a structural engineer and found he loved "being on the roofs"."I really wanted to learn the craft and to make things with my hands." Author Tom Allan, also felt the draw of the straw 13 years ago, leaving a job in publishing to become a thatcher and now helping train apprentices of his said: "When you spend a long time learning the craft, it could be tempting to keep that knowledge to yourself, but it's good to get to share it with other people because that's the only way to keep the whole thing going".Master thatcher Lars Blackwell said it was a fabulous job."You are working on some of the most beautiful properties, you really make your mark, you know, and everyone loves thatched roofs". 'All-weather job' Edwina Wakley from the Devon and Cornwall Master Thatcher Association said the backlog was "due to the shortage of straw" after "very poor weather over the past two years".The bad weather has also affected the speed at which thatchers are able to work, and also put people off learning the trade, she said "much of the interest [previously] came from seeing a thatcher working on a sunny day - all very idyllic but perhaps not quite so in torrential rain and extremely cold conditions. Seldom was much interest expressed then."Once [it is] explained that it is an all-weather job and that there is a long apprenticeship, it is not quite so appealing."The association attends shows in the region each year where people interested in becoming thatchers can find out more.
