Northamptonshire’s ladies charity skittles league is bouncing back following a lower uptake post-pandemic, which is being driven by a passionate player.

Member Jayne Fuller shared that at the beginning of 2025, there were only six teams that played on a Tuesday evening compared to the healthier 12 to 16 before Covid struck.

Jayne decided it was time to bring it back, and she and her fellow team members set out to let more people know about the great game of table skittles. There are now eight teams that compete and the aim is to build it up to 12 next year.

Jayne is also proud to support local skittles maker John Pepper based in Hulcot and Towcester Mill Brewery, where the first game of the season took place on April 13, purchased a brand new set of skittles from him in preparation.

Member Jayne Fuller shared that at the beginning of 2025, there were only six teams that played on a Tuesday evening compared to the healthier 12 to 16 before Covid struck.

placeholder image — Member Jayne Fuller shared that at the beginning of 2025, there were only six teams that played on a Tuesday evening compared to the healthier 12 to 16 before Covid struck.

“This is my third season and I’d never done it before,” Jayne told the Chronicle & Echo. “I was looking for something I could enjoy out of my comfort zone as I’m in a wheelchair. I didn’t want to rely on anyone else to get me there and I wanted to do it on my own.”

After enjoying playing and learning about the lower post-pandemic uptake, Jayne’s first port of call was visiting pubs with skittles tables to see if they were interested in hosting teams – which proved a success.

Jayne explained there are nine people per team and the ladies charity skittles league begins at 8pm on Tuesday evenings. They arrive at 7.30pm at the venue, which changes each week across the county, and finishes by 10.15pm at the latest.

How it works is that women who are interested join the team at their local pub with a skittles table, and they can then participate in the charity league. Each player contributes a small amount monetarily and a raffle is hosted each week.

Jayne decided it was time to bring it back, and she and her fellow team members set out to let more people know about the great game of table skittles.

Last year, £2,430 was raised and split equally between The Frank Bruno Foundation and Guide Dogs. The same will be done this year in aid of Guide Dogs and The Faraway Children's Charity.

“We love meeting new people,” said Jayne. “The first match was between Towcester Mill and The Foresters B. We play home and away at the venues, and this was the first time both of these teams played. Our matches are in Towcester, Weedon, Gayton and as far as Rugby.”