BOWLING enthusiasts can now enjoy their hobby all year round at Withins Community Leisure Centre.

Regardless of what the weather is doing outside, bowlers can get Jack High in the comfort of the leisure centre by playing indoor short mat bowling.

The indoor bowling sessions are held Monday to Friday from 5.30pm to 10.30pm and every Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm at only £1.90 per person per hour.

Everyone regardless of experience is welcome to join in and beginners need not worry about equipment because the centre can provide the bowls.

Contact Withins Community Leisure Centre on 334133 for further details.

Junior badminton coaching course

ARE you under 16 and interested in learning how to play badminton?

Be a hit and try your hand at the junior badminton coaching course at Kearsley Community Leisure Centre, Springfield Road, Kearsley starting on Tuesday, March 12.

For £1 per session, Anne Fox (a fully qualified badminton coach) will be leading a 10 week course - so if you would like to have a go ring now to reserve your place.

Badminton is recognised as being one of the best sports in the world for fitness, anaerobic skills, teamwork and strategic planning and is also one of four events coming to Bolton for the 2002 Commonwealth Games to be held at Bolton Arena.

To reserve a place or for more information please phone 334141 after 5pm.EDUCATIONAL FUN FOR PUPILS VISITING Smithills HALL

SMITHILLS Hall in Bolton is a grade one listed building with some of the best examples of medieval, Tudor and Victorian architecture.

But did you know that the hall runs a very successful programme of educational visits, the Smithills Magical History Tours?

During 2001, between April and November, 2,054 children took part in the workshops at the hall, and feedback from schools has been tremendous.

Visits include lots of dressing up in authentic costumes and role play, with lessons crammed with practical learning.

Although the visits are fun, they are developed in accordance with the school curriculum and closely follow Key Stages.

Some comments from teachers include: "A highly successful visit" and "very motivating for the children". Children added their own comments such as: "We really liked the Tudor banquet" and "playing the Victorian games was great fun."

Jack Danson, Chairman of the Trust which now runs the hall, added: "Whilst we need to ensure the hall is preserved for future generations, we don't want it to be mothballed. We encourage everyone to use the hall so that they can experience the real feel of their heritage. It's very important for us to allow the younger generation to 'own' the hall, so that they in turn will be trustees of this country's precious assets."

Are you interested in local history?

DO you want to be part of history in the making?

Smithills Hall is run by Trustees, with the help of the Friends of Smithills Hall and Volunteers.

If you are interested in ensuring the future of a precious asset such as the hall, with links with the past of more than 1,000 years you are invited to an evening at the hall on Thursday, February 28 at 7pm.

If you cannot come along on the evening, contact the Hall anytime on 332377.