Moreton-in-Marsh Bowls Club has been a feature of the town since its formation in 1909. In September 2011 , the Bowls Club moved to a wonderful, new, purpose built Clubhouse and new green, measuring 38 meters by 38 meters, on Redesdale Place (behind the Esso garage), opened by David Bryant (CBE) in April 2012.
Lawn bowls is played on a sports pitch ( the green) which is professionally maintained. It needs irrigation, particularly in long hot summers, to provide a high standard playing surface for friendly, league and county games. Currently, irrigation is by using water supplied via a utilities company, which is a significant cost to the Club.
The Clubhouse has a large roof area, which is drained in the usual way with gutters and downpipes. All rain is channelled off into the ground. By diverting the pipework into a storage tank, the Club can harvest the rain, channel that water into its irrigation system and utilise the this free water to keep its green suitably watered.
The advantages to be had from the project are manifold:
(1) the continued provision of a high quality playing surface for playing the game of Lawn Bowls for the benefit of (a) the Club, (b) the Club's competitors, and (c) the hosting of high level County games in Moreton-in-Marsh. A high quality surface enables the true skill of players to be reflected in matches.
(2) Harvested rainwater reduces the running costs of the Club for water, which is a factor contributing to the long term sustainability of the existence of the Club so that the sport is available for future players taking up the game.
(3) an environmentally green future-proofing element for the Club. Should long hot summers become more frequent and water bans become a possibility, the use of stored harvested rain water will enable the playing area to remain in a green and playable state.