Boscombe Cliff Bowling Club

Aim

To continue the existence of this historic and successful outdoor bowling club through these very difficult ongoing times due to Covid19

 Boscombe Cliff Bowling Club!

I want to bowl you over with this appeal for you to join our crowdfunding, so that our fantastic bowling club, Boscombe Cliff B.C. can continue to carry out its hopes and dreams for the future as well as complete the work started before Covid.  

Our Club House

But first let me tell you about Boscombe Cliff B.C.  The Club was formed in 1904 and is situated on the east side of Bournemouth overlooking the cliff top in Boscombe. Our green is recognised as one of the best in the area and has been used for the Bournemouth Open Bowls Championship.  Players from the Club have been successful at international, national and county level.   It is important for us to keep our club open and to maintain our high standard of play as well as the social side.   Although a private club, the green is also open to the public, with a minimum of one rink for them to participate in a game of bowls, which sadly this year we could not allow

Our Club and Café provide excellent lawn bowls and refreshments in an idyllic cliff top setting which attracts both locals and holiday makers.

 The Green at Boscombe Cliff

Due to the restrictions caused by the Covid 19 pandemic the Club has lost fund due to reduced activity and fewer members.  Sadly other local bowling clubs have had to close in this difficult time and we are appealing for funds to complete work started in 2019 to renovate the Club house and ongoing green maintenance.  We were hoping to raise funds this year to renew our drainage system which is over 40 years old and desperately needs to be overhauled 

Our Treasurer and Green Ranger self-distancing with a 2-metre stick!

 Repairing the banks this year

In a normal year we have a lot of social events open to all members, their family and friends, which raises money for our repair fund. In addition to raising funds for a different local charity each year.  

                             Christmas Celebrations 2019

Club members celebrating raising over £1,000 for local charity, Clic Sargent, a couple of years ago

During this difficult year Boscombe Cliff BC has managed to allow those members who wanted to bowl to continue to do so, firstly by just having roll ups but then introducing fun competitions, with Covid restrictions, a few club competitions and even some inter-club matches. 

By keeping open the Club has managed to attract new interest from the community who have found time to try a new sport as well as making new friends in an open and friendly environment.  This definitely helped ease the loneliness and help with the mental well being of a lot of our members including of course the exercise.  In the process we have had extra expenses this year with all the sanitising liquids and safety notices and unfortunately some equipment (mats) has deteriorated as a result of the substances used.

 Pat & Alan who are playing members with combined age of 184 !!

In 2019 the Club had started introducing youngsters of 8-10 years from a local primary school to come to Boscombe Cliff B.C. once a week to learn to bowl.  This was so popular that the school was considering including bowls in their curriculum this year.  We had planned to invite other schools to join in, in the hope of forming a Boscombe Cliff youth team, but to do this we would need funds to buy more junior bowls and fund more qualified coaches to make it work.  This encourages youngsters to mix with the elderly.

Lawn bowls helps people to develop co-ordination, concentration, leadership skills, social contact and is a great sport for all ages and abilities.  Boscombe Cliff B.C. has playing members ranging from the age of 9 up to 93.  Men, women and children can all play in the same team – and they do!  It is easy to learn, the rules are simple and above all it’s good fun whatever your age

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18701809.boscombe-cliff-bowling-club-reward-primary-school-student-dedication/?fbclid=IwAR0law9kNe7UgslTPHbOlCJFsPt1r-q3KUVJiJ1MCxGrz3JcBQDpOQLGWrk

As well as having one of the best playing surfaces in the area Boscombe Cliff B.C. has an excellent viewing area all around the green which has proved invaluable this year as spectators have been able to stay socially distant.  

The Club has flower beds on all four sides of the green which keep our keen and active gardening club busy.  They try to meet weekly throughout the year keeping the gardens tidy and colourful as well as keeping them socially active.  We support the Bournemouth in Bloom competition but, this year, due to Covid, had to pull out although in the past we have done well particularly with our hanging baskets.

Links:

Website – bcbowling.club 

Facebook: boscombecliffbowlsclub

Why do we need to crowdfund?

Complete the bar; decorate the walls and ceiling, sand and treat the floor in the Clubroom.

Renew sports equipment (mats, scoreboards, gatherers and junior bowls).

Maintain the high standard of the green by installing a new drainage system as well as landscaping the surrounding gardens.

Advertise the advantages of joining Boscombe Cliff B.C. and increasing our coaching programme for all ages

Improve on our work with local schools

We can only do this if we keep our present membership and continue to attract new members and get donations; therefore we are offering rewards to those willing to help us:

Thank you for taking the time to read about us. 

This project successfully funded on 5th February 2021