“The Miners has had an alley longer than I’ve been alive – but it’s not just an alley, it’s a social hub where people come together,” says one local.
Coalpit Heath in Bristol is home to The Miners, a cherished social club that serves as the heart and soul of the community. It’s a place where locals can escape the pressures of daily life and enjoy the warm, welcoming atmosphere created by its dedicated staff.
But what exactly is skittles? It’s a traditional pub game, similar to bowling, but played on a smaller scale. The game features nine pins instead of ten and a more compact alley for throwing the balls.
Sue Cryer, the manager at The Miners, spoke about the role of the club and the decline of the once-popular sport of skittles.
“Walk in there on a Friday now and you’ll see more empty seats than players. That didn’t used to be the case.
“Every year we play there are less and less teams that play, and while there are some young people, the majority are older and only getting older,” stated Cryer.
“We’re not just losing a sport, we’re losing people’s hobby’s and their friends, people come to The Miners to get away from everything and get out the house.
“We need more people we need the younger audience to get out there otherwise this incredible sport will fall.”
Skittles isn’t just a winter sport – it’s played in the summer too, with a dedicated summer league featuring smaller teams of six instead of the usual 12. It’s a great way for people to enjoy the game while making the most of the warmer weather.
“I don’t want to sound old but some things are worth holding onto. Skittles is one of them.
“The blokes I play with, we’re all getting older. We joke about us not having long left playing skittles but it’s a real thing and what happens with The Miners when we’re gone, what happened to skittles.”
The Miners has been a community staple since 1927, and while the club remains committed to its future, the focus now is on saving skittles — a traditional sport that’s at risk of fading away.
