Bowling could return to Bailey’s Court after an agreement by the town council will see them negotiate with Bradley Stoke Bowls Club.

Northavon Bowls Club collapsed following a long-running battle over rent but councillors will now negotiate with the newly-formed team.

The decision, though, is only the start of the process with Jim Durlacher, former president of Northavon Bowls Club, warning it could take time to set up the team.

Mr Durlacher told the BBC that it “would not happen overnight” and that the original team took some 15 months to get started.

The town council has said it wants competative play to return in the 2010 season.

Deputy chair Ben Walker said: “I’m delighted my colleagues have supported this proposal, there are still some details to work out but we’re all looking forward to seeing the bowlers back on the green.”

Town Mayor Mark Forsyth said: “This is a fresh start for local bowlers and I’m looking forward to working with the new club.”

“This administration has always supported local sport and we work particularly closely with both football and cricket, there is no reason why bowls should be any different.”

Bowling is to return to Bradley Stoke next season after Bradley Stoke Town Council came to an agreement with a new club.

A former president of Northavon Bowls Club will form Bradley Stoke Bowls Club which will play at Baileys Court.

Northavon Bowls Club were evicted from the green earlier this year and the club was eventually disbanded.

The row got so heated that it made the pages of the local press and featured on regional TV.

But, the new club is set to take to the green following and agreement with the town council landlords.

More to follow on Thursday.

Exclusive: Members of the disbanded Northavon Bowls Club are to form a new team called the Northavon Nomads.

The original team found themselves homeless following a long-running row with Bradley Stoke Town Council.

The two parties could not reach a deal over rent for the green at Bailey’s Court so the bowls club was evicted.

Now, two long-standing members of the original team have offered to run the new club to “to prevent them being lost to the game of bowls”.

All of the Nomads’ games will be played away so members of the club will not have to pay subscription fees.

Instead, the group will operate on a “pay-per-play” basis “with reasonable match fees given to the opposition club to cover the refreshments and use of green”.

Members of the new team say they are “looking forward to an enjoyable season of bowls” following their recent decision to disband Northavon Bowls Club.

A spokesperson added they were “very happy to be able reach this conclusion following an acrimonious relationship with the Town Council.”

Members of Northavon Bowls Club say they were “in tears” as the resolution was passed to close the club due the rental dispute with Bradley Stoke Town Council.

As The Bradley Stoke Examiner exclusively revealed on Monday, the club decided to call it a day after negotiations failed to bring an agreement between the two parties.

The town council’s final offer was £8,000 and a 6% annual rise but had previously asked for 8% which the bowlers said they could not afford.

A statement from the club says many members of the club were “extremely upset” and will “miss their friends” and the “companionship and social contact” from the group.

The club has now asked for residents of Bradley Stoke to question the actions of councillors during negotiations which has left a bowling green at Bailey’s Court standing unused.

Read the full statement from Northavon Bowls Club by clicking ‘more’.

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Members of Northavon Bowls Club were “poorly served” by its committee, according to a statement from Bradley Stoke Town Council.

The 20-year-old club was wound-up at the weekend following a row with the council which left them without a rent deal for the green at Bailey’s Court.

The deal offered by the council would have meant an 8% annual rise in costs – but the town council claims this would have been less than they were paying in the previous year.

The statement says if they had signed up the rent would have been “considerably less than the outlay in 2007, when they paid £8,293 to maintain the green and a further £2125 to council for the use of the facilities”.

In May 2008, the club was forced to leave Bailey’s Court and play its home matches away from Bradley Stoke.

The last offer made by the council, in December 2008, asked for £8,000 and a 6% annual rise but this was rejected by the club’s committee.

To read the statement in full click the ‘more’ button below.

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Exclusive: Northavon Bowls Club, whose members have been embroiled in a rent row with Bradley Stoke Town Council, is to disband following an extraordinary general meeting.

More than 70 members attended the meeting where the unanimous decision was made to fold the club.

The row began for the club when they refused to sign up to a new rent real for the green at Bailey’s Court.

The offer would have seen the club paying 8% more per year which members of the club, many retired, said they could not afford.

With the threat of legal action looming, the club decided to move its equipment out of Bailey’s Court in May.

Matches for the rest of the season were played at St Andrews as the club limped on to the end of the season.

Now, members have decided to wind the club down and sell off any remaining equipment.

• Further reading on Northavon Bowls Club

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

• Northavon Bowls Club coverage from the Examiner