Why this project
A recently commissioned Accessibility Audit highlighted a major deficiency with the main access to our clubhouse. The angle and design of the ramp does not meet Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) standards and the door has a high threshold and is not automatic opening. This makes unaided entry/exit from the building almost impossible for Wheelchair users, those with mobility issues or people with prams etc
This deficiency is holding back the further development of the club’s activities and in achieving its overarching aim to fully meet the needs of the community through promoting community participation in healthy recreation and social contact.
We already offer safe and level access to our bowling green and secure off-street parking; and proximity to several bus routes, but we don’t have safe and level access to our clubhouse, as amply demonstrated in the above video.
Why are we Crowdfunding
We are fully committed to investing in our facilities to appeal to new users, be they for sporting, business, community or social reasons. But we also desperately want to ensure that we can also retain our current participants. People must not stop coming to our facilities because, as they age, they find the access too difficult or are worried about their safety.
We intend building a more suitable ramp, providing step-free access through a new door with keyless push-button access for a cost of some £15200.
This is where we need your help! If we raise £7700 through at least 25 different people donating, then through a Sport England Movement Fund grant, they will give us another £7500!
We need this funding to make the necessary modifications; thereby enabling safe, inclusive and accessible facilities for our community to benefit from.
Please help us to achieve this so we can make our club accessible to all.
Who are we?
York Railway Bowls & Social Club (YRBSC) is a registered charity, has 80+ bowling members, and a thriving social membership.
Our connection with the railway stems from what was a large Wagon and Carriage works nearby, and the first “railway” connected teams were LNER Wagon and Carriage works men’s teams that were formed separately in the 1930’s, that initially played in different parts of York. Both moved to our green in 1942 – although the green itself was opened in 1914. They retained separate identities, but in the 1960’s became part of a larger organisation – the York Railway Institute, and were then known as Corinthians and Amateurs.
Another change in 2016 saw the Railway Institute become a charity – York RI (CIO), and the Bowls Club became a section of it and took that name, retaining Amateurs and Corinthians sections, and by that time, a ladies section. York Speakers Club also started using our facilities, regularly meeting and holding events, and became one of our sections.
Another local bowls club, Hull Road Park, joined as a section when their green suffered damage some 4 years ago.
During the pandemic, our section was offered the opportunity to become independent of York RI, which we accepted, and have been known as York Railway Bowls & Social Club for just over 3 years.
The Club operates and maintains a 6 rink bowling green, clubhouse, associated grounds and car parking for the benefit of its members and the wider community
The Club promotes its non-bowling facilities in order to maximise its income base to improve its financial security. Local businesses and community groups are encouraged to use the facilities for meetings/training sessions and experience the sport of outdoor bowling if they wish.
In the past 5 years we have made great strides in making our facilities available to a range of organisations. Last year alone we hosted 35 business events, 140 community led events and 20 social events. We also hosted children from local schools and educational groups.
We've also hosted Bowls England Big Bowls Weekend (International Amy Pharaoh pictured with youngsters) -
and last year the VIBE (Visually Impaired Bowls England) National Triples.
York Town Crier in action welcoming them to York -
and run an annual Open Triples event (Spider about to begin) -
Some comments received from some of those attending our club for the events and activities we put on –
"Firstly, I wish to say a very big thank you to all the members and committee members of YRBSC, for the warm welcome and the encouragement which VIBE received when I initially approached them to ask if they would host our Outdoor Triples. The club gave VIBE the use of green and facilities, bar and clubhouse. They catered to all of our requests, Breakfast & Lunch, not to forget the bar facility everyday after the end of play."
“I wanted to thank you all for making our students feel so welcome and engaging them in the sport so well. They really enjoyed taking part and the staff you had for each group were very helpful”.
“Would like to say a massive thank you for Friday at the bowls club! Thoroughly enjoyed it and the students got a lot out of it and really enjoyed it”.
“Just a quick note to thank you and your colleagues for such an enjoyable evening. Every one of the 19 players said how much they had enjoyed the bowls. They also commented on how helpful & friendly you and your colleagues were. A credit to your club. A memorable event for our tennis club!”
This demonstrates we are working hard to ensure that everybody in our community can benefit from what we do, whether that is through participating in sport, connecting businesses together, boosting community connections or delivering a social agenda that ensures there is always something to be enjoyed, anytime of year.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Please don't delay if you would like to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind YRBSC! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. If you are a local business, please get involved and donate things that we can offer to our supporters. As a minimum, we will give you a shout out and there may be other opportunities to promote your business.
4. If you would like to run your own fundraiser to support us, maybe a sponsored activity or similar, use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won't need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
Thank you