Dysart’s Danny Monaghan celebrating 60 years as a member at bowling club

The 94-year-old joined Dysart Bowling Club back in 1961 and, though he hasn’t played for seven years, he still enjoys going along for social evenings now the easing of Covid-19 restrictions permits.

“I last played in 2014 for the club’s centenary but my legs started getting bad so I had to give up,” recalled Danny, of Redcraigs in Dysart.

The retired electrician can also remember his first game at the club as well as his last one.

“My father – he was called Danny too – was a member and it was him that got me into it,” he said.

“It was a challenge. Me and a late friend, Alec Campbell, were mocking him, saying ‘bowling, that’s an easy game’, so he challenged us to a game. We got leathered.”

Among the highlights of the father of three’s six decades as a member of the club, he says, were being crowned champion there in 1969 and his term as president from 1985 and 1986.

Danny, the club’s longest-serving member, has also acted as vice-president and secretary.

A celebration was held to mark Danny’s 60 years’ membership and he was presented with a cake decorated with a figure of a bowler.

A spokesperson for the club said: “Congratulations to our longest-serving member, Danny Monaghan, on 60 years of being a member at our club.

“Danny is a much-loved, cherished member and friend of everyone at the club.

“Danny is held in high esteem by all at Dysart Bowling Club and is still a very valued member in his 95th year.

“A big well done from president Peter Heggie and all the members of Dysart Bowling Club.”