KATH Davies has stepped down from the Hereford City Ladies Skittle League committee after 50 years’ involvement.

The 83-year-old had been the league’s president for 14 years and helped raise £140,000 for charity.

Kath, who lives in Hereford, started playing skittles more than 50 years ago when she and her friends saw a group of local young men enjoying the sport.

“I hadn’t seen it before,” she said, “but I had a go. We saw the men playing and we followed them about a bit before we thought: ‘we should have a go!’”

She helped to establish the Hereford Ladies’ British Legion team.

As Kath’s love for skittles grew, she soon began to serve on the committee for the City League.

She acted as treasurer for many years, before becoming president in 1996.

“I loved skittles. My late husband used to joke that I loved it more than I loved him!”

Unfortunately, Kath’s deteriorating eyesight means that she can no longer play the sport.

However, she still goes to the skittles.

“I miss playing skittles a lot - but I wouldn’t miss my night out with the girls of the Herdsman.”

She added: “I met lots of lovely friends on the league committee and they gave me lots of nice presents when I retired, including a beautiful flower vase.”

* This year, Hereford City Ladies Skittle League raised more than £4,000 for charity.

A total of £3,00 was given to Vision Links, a charity close to Kath’s heart, and £1,000 went to Hampton House.