RESIDENTS in Gulworthy were able to take part in taster sessions for short mat bowls and pilates in December, thanks to the Active Villages Project.

The project aims to encourage villagers to participate in physically active sessions and provides administrative aid and funding to allow this.

The Devon Bowls Development Alliance provided a mat and bowls along with the expert advice of Sue Silcox, vice-chairman of the alliance, John Julyan, development officer and Kevin Cooper, and an enjoyable evening was had by the 18 attendees.

The mat was left at the parish hall to allow for more sessions.

Parish hall committee spokesman Jim Chalcraft said: 'After the major extension and improvement works are finished, which will be very soon, we will be looking at buying our own equipment and trying to involve more people who live further away from the hall.'

The Active Villages Project will assist with the buying process.

The project also arranged for Sally Cinnamond, a chartered physiotherapist and pilates instructor to run two free taster sessions in the hall which were well attended. Sally intends to start regular sessions there on Thursdays from 6pm to 7pm.

Pilates is designed to develop core stability, flexibility, postural and body awareness. It is suitable for all ages and is particularly beneficial to those with back pain, poor posture, neurological conditions, sports injuries, arthritis, stress-related illness and before and after pregnancy.

Devon Active Villages is a development programme which supports village communities in Devon to provide long term sustainable sports participation opportunities.

If you live in Meavy, Walkhampton, Mary Tavy, Princetown, Lamerton, Lifton, Postbridge, Milton Abbot or Whitchurch, then the project can help you to establish a new sports club in your own village.