A library might not be the sort of place you would expect to be able to try out new sports but that is exactly what has been on offer at locations in Ipswich.

As part of a partnership between Suffolk Libraries and ActivIpswich both Ipswich’s main library and the one in Chantry have been offering over 45s opportunities to have a go at the likes of new age kurling, boccia and table tennis.

Last week two sessions were run, one on Thursday in Chantry and another the following day in Ipswich, with Wii games also available at the latter.

The session at Ipswich library was also used to help launch the town’s first ever kurling club which will be run as part of the ActivIpswich initiative.

Suffolk Libraries marketing manager James Powell said more than 40 people attended the two events.

“It all went very well and it was a good taster situation to see if there is an appetite for it,” he said.

“The new age kurling seems to be particularly popular and the idea is to try and get a club going.

“It’s not the kind of usual thing people will expect to see in the library but it’s showcasing them as a place to come and try and do different things.

“ActivIpswich’s remit is to try and encourage over 45s to try different activities and it is seen as something friendly and welcoming.

“We thought it was an ideal opportunity to try and reach some different people.”

Mike McCarthy, one of the ActivIpswich Activators, said: “This project is about encouraging people who wouldn’t normally see themselves as being sporty, to have a go at activities they haven’t tried before in places where they might not expect to see sport taking place – libraries are a great example of this.”

Another taster session is going to take place at Chantry library from 6pm to 7.30pm on Thursday.