ANSWERS about the first 50 years of the Freestone Indoor Bowls Club radiate back to one fact – everyone enjoys the friendship of fellow bowlers each Tuesday night at the Freestone Hall.

While many clubs have operated from the same facilities for half a century, few have operated in the same time slot, Tuesday night.

The Freestone club was formed on September 4, 1961, and will celebrate its golden jubilee with a luncheon from 11am on August 27, obviously at the Freestone Hall.

Ronnie Doyle remembers the night Veronica Lyons took her and Gertie Ramsey to their first night of bowls 40 years ago.

“We all had children and the men stayed at home and looked after the children,” Doyle said.

“Indoor bowls has been played weekly except for a break each Christmas.

“I will keep playing as long as my legs will keep me going.”

Thirty years ago, Nancy Nolan was talked into playing by her twin sister, Gertie Ramsay.

The twins are regulars at Tuesday singles, pairs and fours.

Between bowls nights, they talk on the phone regularly but “only occasionally about bowls”.

Val Bridge has played for 15 years at Freestone and is the current club secretary/treasurer.

“I like the social aspect,” she said.

“Five of us come out from Warwick each week.”

Jeff Coy is president and current champion and Bill Briggs vice president.

All are welcome to the anniversary celebrations, with responses requested by August 10 to Bridge 4661 2373 or Coy 4666 1615.

Inaugural president Keith Robinson, the Freestone teacher in 1961, Norm Madsen, Vince Phelan and Ron Shelley are four inaugural members set to attend.