Last skittle maker fears beloved game could vanish

John Pepper has been making skittles since taking over from his father more than 40 years ago

A craftsman believed to be the last skittle maker in his county has warned that the traditional game could vanish if he is forced to close his workshop.

John Pepper, 78, has been making skittles near the village of Hardwick, Northamptonshire since 1981, but has been told by his landlord to vacate the premises and remove all equipment by January - as they are selling the land.

He estimates about 1,000 people play in skittle leagues across the county, with his family making and supplying the skittles out of durable boxwood since 1925.

"It'll break my heart to close this all down," he said.

The Peppers make their skittles out of boxwood because it can withstand heavy impact

Skittles involves bowling at pins and has been played for centuries in British pubs and clubs.

With the business potentially closing, Mr Pepper fears local leagues will struggle to replace worn or broken skittles.

"After about five years, [the skittles] begin to get pulverised... and it's not long before they're totally finished," he said. "So we're looking at skittles to finish about five years maybe seven.

"There's no future in it," he said.

The rules of skittles sees players throw three wooden balls called "cheeses" at nine wooden pins, or skittles, set up in a diamond shape, with the aim to knock down as many skittles as possible.

Mr Pepper says storage facilities are no substitute, because without electricity he cannot operate the machinery required to make the pieces.

He also lacks the funds to buy his current premises - or set up elsewhere.

"There'll always be somebody trying to make skittles but you can't make them out of oak or ash or beech. It just doesn't play the same.

"Everybody wants what I produce but it's not there."

The landlord has been contacted for comment but chose not to respond.