Comments on: Your letters: Northavon Bowls Club could die, says member http://www.sadlybroke.com/2009/01/16/your-letters-northavon-bowls-club-could-die-says-member/ News & info for Bradley Stoke, Bristol Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:53:15 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: brian http://www.sadlybroke.com/2009/01/16/your-letters-northavon-bowls-club-could-die-says-member/comment-page-1/#comment-4988 brian Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:22:41 +0000 http://www.sadlybroke.com/?p=1567#comment-4988 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. 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.

]]> By: MKII http://www.sadlybroke.com/2009/01/16/your-letters-northavon-bowls-club-could-die-says-member/comment-page-1/#comment-4984 MKII Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:19:38 +0000 http://www.sadlybroke.com/?p=1567#comment-4984 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. 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.

]]> By: Dave http://www.sadlybroke.com/2009/01/16/your-letters-northavon-bowls-club-could-die-says-member/comment-page-1/#comment-4983 Dave Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:32:49 +0000 http://www.sadlybroke.com/?p=1567#comment-4983 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 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

]]> By: kitty http://www.sadlybroke.com/2009/01/16/your-letters-northavon-bowls-club-could-die-says-member/comment-page-1/#comment-4981 kitty Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:07:50 +0000 http://www.sadlybroke.com/?p=1567#comment-4981 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? 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?

]]> By: Mike http://www.sadlybroke.com/2009/01/16/your-letters-northavon-bowls-club-could-die-says-member/comment-page-1/#comment-4978 Mike Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:04:35 +0000 http://www.sadlybroke.com/?p=1567#comment-4978 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 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

]]> By: Jon http://www.sadlybroke.com/2009/01/16/your-letters-northavon-bowls-club-could-die-says-member/comment-page-1/#comment-4977 Jon Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:18:15 +0000 http://www.sadlybroke.com/?p=1567#comment-4977 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! 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!

]]> By: Andy http://www.sadlybroke.com/2009/01/16/your-letters-northavon-bowls-club-could-die-says-member/comment-page-1/#comment-4974 Andy Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:37:10 +0000 http://www.sadlybroke.com/?p=1567#comment-4974 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. 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.

]]> By: kitty http://www.sadlybroke.com/2009/01/16/your-letters-northavon-bowls-club-could-die-says-member/comment-page-1/#comment-4973 kitty Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:09:17 +0000 http://www.sadlybroke.com/?p=1567#comment-4973 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. 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.

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