FARMING can be a lonely occupation at the best of times.

But sporting endeavour is proving to be a way out of the isolation for many north Herefordshire farmers especially during the long winter nights.

Six villages in the areas are doing their bit to keep the community spirit going by playing carpet bowls in village halls with many of the players being the men and women who work the land.

Villagers, including farming folk from Aymestrey, Breinton, Lingen, Titley, Shobdon and Wigmore, get together to form a small bowling league.

“The majority of players are local farmers so the league is basically formed around them,” said Joe Scamp, the organiser from Aymestrey.

“It starts at the end of October to fit in with the end of harvesting and winter planting.

“Each team plays each other twice with one home match and one away match and all this goes on throughout the winter and finishes just in time for the lambing season.”

Joe says the league has now been going 10 years despite being set up on a whim.

“This has become such a good way of meeting with neighbouring villagers, catching up of the local news and putting the worlds to rights over friendly games that we feel like one big family “It’s surprising how many people catch up on the local gossip.

“We would like to expand if people are interested and get more people involved.

“There are too many people who shut out the world in winter.

“We need to go back to being sociable people like we were years ago.”

Each team has play-offs to find a singles winner and doubles winner.

They then go on to represent their team at a grand final night where more than 65 players turn out.

This year the winning team which took the league title was Wigmore, which managed to knock Titley off the top spot.

The final play-off for the league doubles was between Lingen’s David Meredith and Roy Price against Aymestrey’s Ruth Scamp and Colin Walters, with Lingen taking the title.

The singles title was again a Lingen player, Jordan Pritchard, against Guy Morgan for Titley with Lingen again managing to take the title.

The season culminates in a social evening.

“Titley were this year’s hosts to 80 people and what a night it was,” said Joe.

Anyone interested can call Joe on 01568 709031.