Like many small clubs we have to make do with a lot of second hand equipment or sometimes equipment we have made ourselves. This has been the case with the tamper that is used when repairing bowlers' footholes.
For years we have used one made from a small piece of plate steel, welded on to a metal bar. This has done the job but the handle is not really long enough and the steel handle always seems to be ice cold.
When in Homebase the other day I saw an ideal tamper and promised to buy it when Homebase next had a discount promotion on. Today was the day and so the club now has a a 'pucker' tamper, just the right size and with a rubber sleeve for holding and all for just under £25! I might just look forward to repairing those footholes now.
The picture shows the new and the old tampers.