Creation of Accessible Bowling Green Clubhouse

Aim

To replace the wooden shed on the lower green with a larger, warmer more welcoming space that also has an indoor toilet.

Although our top green has been in use as a bowling green since 1698 when the land belonged to the Brownlow Estate, its history goes back much further as this is the Motte of the original Ellesmere Castle built in 1177, which makes it the oldest Crown Green in Shropshire, and possibly in England.

This lower green was only created in 1986 when we purchased the land from the Council, which then allowed us to create this lower green, and build the wooden shed here as a small club house.

As you can see, the wooden shed is in Estate Agents terminology is “compact & bijou”

Our aim is to create a larger, warmer, welcoming space for both members and visitors. A space that has better access, especially for those with mobility issues, with a disabled access toilet rather then the outside one as at present.

Allow us to cater better for visitors, and therefore help in attracting new members, the life blood of any club. This could also be used by the community for meetings and functions.

And no, it is not only pensioners who bowl, our team in the Wem league is average age 28, and we have a number of teenagers who play competitively.

Bowling combats isolation, provides outside exercise and offers many health benefits plus a sense of “belonging”

We can achieve this by extending back into the car park, and with your help in time for next season - please see and compare the image of what could be compared to what is now from the video

We need YOUR help please!

Our aim is to replace the club house on the lower green, at a cost of £30,000

How – by launching a Crowdfunding appeal, which will be matched by Sport England.  Sport England will pledge to match pound for pound up to their limit of £15k so that we can achieve our target of £30k, by raising the other half

Both local companies and individuals can help and donate.

Individuals, become a friend of EBC by pledging an amount, minimum of £20. Bronze level Min of £30, Silver level Min of £50 and Gold level Min of £100, and for this you will have your name listed on our web site as a Friend of Ellesmere Bowling Club

For Companies, again Bronze, Min of £100, Silver Min of £250 and Gold £400 levels. For this you will have an advertising sign around the greens, plus your logo and details listed on our web site

Who are we?

The best kept secret in Ellesmere, a community bowling club based on the site of the original Ellesmere Castle, that brings together people from all walks of life to take part in outdoor exercise which stimulates both body and mind. Our members range from 10 years upwards to late 80's, male & female competing together although as individuals when on the green, still very much part of a team where the scores matter at the end of the match. 

We are also proud of the fact that we have multi-generational bowling, in that we have three generations of the same family who bowl with us competitively, and have Grandfathers & Grandmothers who bowl alongside their Grandchildren.

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Why are we crowdfunding?

The small wooden club house, created in 1986 is no longer fit for purpose, and has a separate  shed as a toilet outside. So we would like to improve this by creating a larger, warmer and more welcoming space which would allow us to be more inclusive, and allow members and visitors to sit in a warm environment to watch bowls matches, with better access for those with disabilities to include an indoor toilet with disabled access.

Ultimately this could be used to raise much needed funds being hired out for meetings etc. In addition  allowing us to attract more members being able to offer better facilities. 

If you're applying for extra funding, this is a good place to demonstrate why your project is eligible so refer back to the criteria to help complete this section

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How we’ll spend the money raised

The image below shows what could be achieved, with your help of a larger, warmer more welcoming centre that is more inclusive for everybody, so please help us achieve our aim, as we are only the custodians of this club which has a rich history, and allow us to hand on improved grounds for the next generation 

Community impact

It’s important to explain the wider impact of your organisation for the whole community, who does it benefit and why? Perhaps your facilities are used for other purposes outside of sport too?

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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. Don’t delay if you’re going 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 us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – 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!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 27th July 2026 at 11:44am