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Your letters: Northavon Bowls Club could die, says member

A member of Northavon Bowls Club says they might fold and asks residents to ask questions of their local councillors. 

If you want to write to us you can e-mail news@sadlybroke.com - We may edit letters for clarity.

Sir, I ask the question of all Bradley Stoke residents - are you aware of the demise of the 17-year-old Northavon Bowls Club at Baileys Court?

The above bowls club is in the throes of closing down because of decisions taken by your town council.

Maybe questions should be raised to your mayor and local councilors of their intentions might be helpful?

Your recent update in your paper refers. It seems likes everything revolves around the Willow Brook Centre and nothing else matters.

What are the plans for this top bowling green in the area?

Yours, A Northavon Bowls Member

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8 responses so far ↓

  • 1 kitty // Jan 18, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    This is a very sad business. 17 years ago there were very few facilities in Bradley Stoke.Hard working volunteers set up this club and enjoyed sporting success and friendly companionship over the years.

    It seems unbelievable that this Town Council ,which has vast sums of money to spend on supporting community activites, should have turned against a respectable part of the local community.

  • 2 Andy // Jan 18, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    I think the council’s stance is entirely correct. This ‘Northavon’ club is a niche activity that’s never served the interests of Bradley Stoke; indeed the ground is so heavily screened that I don’t think any of us could even watch. This club doesn’t warrant any kind of concession or subsidy and should pay market-rate if it is to continue.

  • 3 Jon // Jan 20, 2009 at 12:18 am

    Andy
    The people who support the Bowls club tend to be older people. There is very little for older people to do in the town, so don’t you think it reasonable for the Town Council to subsidise their activities in the same way they subsidize the activities of the young people of the town. The Town Council is spending £60, 000 on young people next year which I think is probably too little, however how much are they spending on older people? Answer: Nothing Shouldn’t there be some sort of equity here?
    And take it from me the Bowls Club did enhance the Town’s facilities and helped young people to take up the sport, but you probably wouldn’t be interested in that!

  • 4 Mike // Jan 20, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    Totally agree with Jon. They are prepared to spend money on youth activities but not when it comes to the older generation. This quite frankly sickens me. The Town Council needs to get off their high horse and start being a helpful Town Council for the young and old. No I’m not old, in my early 20s.

    Mike

  • 5 kitty // Jan 20, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    Andy, playing Bowls may not be as much a niche activity as you think. Membership of this club has been of the order of 100 until recently ,and there could be matches between two clubs with up to 24 players on each side, whereas cricket and football would normally only have 11 players on each side.

    The screening of the ground is because of the landscaping by the original landowner , Northavon District Council. This is normal around a Bowling green – perhaps to give shelter?

  • 6 Dave // Jan 21, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    I read on another website that the Council last month offered the club a reduced rent which they have refused.
    It sounds to me like this club either want something for nothing or have alterior motives in wanting to prelong their dispute with the council. The matter was certainly mentioned a lot by the Lib Dems at the last by election

  • 7 MKII // Jan 21, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    According to reports on this and other sources, bowlers previously paid a rent of £2500pa to the council for use of the building AND paid for the upkeep of the green, which according to the club themselves, was at a cost of £8000pa.
    Total cost to the club – £10′500pa

    Council offering to charge them – £8′100 pa ALL INCLUSIVE.

    Can’t afford £2′400 LESS than it’s said was being paid previously
    ????????????????????

    Perhaps bowls club members need to ask questions of their own leaders

    Club has argued and argued, threatened this and that legal action, found itself homeless, causing it to lose half its membership.
    And that’s why it now can’t afford the latest offer.
    A situation that could have been avoided.

  • 8 brian // Jan 23, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    It may not have just been the cost that caused them to refuse. I’m not a bowler but any greens I’ve seen are usually immaculately kept, presumably by a dedicated greenkeeper, mowing and feeding regularly, if not daily, removing the smallest of weeds before they get a hold, etc. Can you honestly see the council being that diligent in the upkeep of the green? Compare council run putting courses to putting practice greens (never mind the greens on the main course) at a golf club and there’s a big difference.

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