SOUTH Park Bowls Club is encouraging new members to join, ahead of the new season, which starts on April 25.

The club currently has no more than 20 members and meets on Monday and Friday evenings, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, as well as 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturdays.

Club secretary Scott Morland said: “We want to try and get the community back on the greens and we’re looking for new members for a Saturday league.”

Anyone interested can call Mr Morland on 07984-603-455.

NEW DIRECTOR: Liz McAllister has stood down as director of the Darlington branch of Samaritans, and been replaced by Vicky Glass. Recent fundraisers for the Samaritans, including a performance by Opera by Design, at Cockerton Methodist Church, have raised more than £2,500 collectively.

MARTIAL ARTS: Representatives of the Mudo taekwondo academy, in Darlington, visited Irish counterparts in Dublin recently. Anyone interested in joining the academy can call Ron Brennan, on 01325-241144, email kimchungdokwan@gmail.com or visit kimchungdo.com