BOWLS. Not the most spectacular sport I get to photograph in my capacity as Chief Photographer at the Bucks Free Press. It's not ice hockey or football now is it?

Playing bowls is much more fun however than getting body-checked in ice hockey or tackled hard in football.

So when the opportunity arose to get some proper coaching at

Gerrards Cross Bowling Club

, I took my wife, Kathy Swift, with me to experience a game or two.

I'm a tennis player so I was a bit sceptical about bowls as I thought it was for people a little older than me (56).

I was pleasantly surprised when I turned up the the club as the facilities are fantastic. The Cross has a lovely clubhouse and bar, and on the evening we attended there were around 30 or 40 people at a practice session followed by a fish and chips supper.

The social side of the sport would be good for anyone who likes being outside, or indeed likes to watch and socialise over a meal.

The training was undertaken by none other than John McGuinness. John has rolled a bowl or two and I had heard is quite good. That is why he is both Bowls England Captain and Performance Director. Only the best for my wife will do.

He did quite a good job too as Kathy beat me 2-0 over four ends and was advised to take up the sport. I let her win of course.

We were ably assisted in our training by Kirk Smith, also a Bowls England player and President of the Gerrards Cross Club.

Kathy suffers from arthritis and with, every shot she played, she managed to get a bit lower to the ground and a bit more supple. By the end of the lesson she was playing quite well.

What surprised me most about the club was the variety of ages of the bowlers. There were of course the older players but there were many players there on the night that were younger than me. Some a lot younger than me and in their 20's.

After the training and over a drink in the bar, John and Kirk gave us a brief overview of the club and how far it has come in recent years. Now boasting over 150 members, it is looking to build up to 170 in the coming seasons.

If you are thinking of joining a bowling club then you would have to go a long way to find one with more coaching experience than Gerrards Cross. The England Captain is a member for goodness sake. If Carlsberg did bowls clubs, they would probably do one just like the Cross.

If you fancy having a go at bowls or you are looking for a club to join the Gerrards Cross club is on Maltman's Lane, Chalfont St. Peter (SL9 8RS) or visit their website gxbc.co.uk.