A BOWLING club originally established for employees at a mill in Cam has just celebrated 100 years.

Cam Mills Bowls Club has organised a number of special events and games throughout 2015 to mark their centenary year.

Current members spoke to the Gazette about the rich history of the club from when it was established in 1915 to present day.

Austin Panes, of Cam, is the president of the bowls club.

He said: "We are celebrating one hundred years of bowling this year and will be having a number of special events throughout 2015.

"I'm very proud to be part of Cam Mills Bowls Club as it celebrates a successful century."

In 1915 the bowls green was built for use by the mill employees. Turf from cam peak was delivered to form the green by horse and cart.

The club have photographic evidence that during 1916 the club played a game against a team of soldiers from Standish Hospital.

During the 1960s non mill workers were allowed to join for the first time. It is possible that this move was made to help fulfil fixtures against other clubs or to finance the upkeep of the green.

In 1979 the owners of the mill in Cam decided they could no longer financially support the green, and so the present club committee made the decision to purchase the green, the wooden clubhouse and a row of garages.

A loan from Wadworth Brewery was obtained which signified a beneficial supplier/customer relationship which remains to this day.

The garages were converted into a club room and skittle alley, which contributed to the financial success of the club. A great deal of the work enacted during this period was carried out by the club members.

Since that time many changes and improvements have been made including enlarging the bowling green and the construction of a new clubhouse.

The club have arranged a wide range of events and games to celebrate reaching 100 years, one of the most significant being a game against a team representing Bowls England on May 20.

Fixtures have also been arranged against a Gloucestershire side and a trip to play against the Royal Household team in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

There will also be an invitation tournament where mixed teams of four players from Gloucestershire bowls clubs will compete.

The club, in a charitable effort, have also pledged their support to the Charlotte Bottger charity. Charlotte is a young girl from Slimbridge who suffers from cerebral palsy and requires specialised treatment. More information on Charlotte and her family can be found at gazetteseries.co.uk.