Evesham Bowling Club, the green needs levelling up

Aim

The aim of the project is to improve our playing surface to ensure the edges of the green are level. Initially we will do 2 out of the 4

Background

Our much loved green is in need of some refurbishment as the edges of the green have become damaged over time and slope off into the ditch resulting in it being almost impossible for the bowls to stay on the green. This is going to be an expensive restoration, Sport England will match donations up to £6,000 which is why Evesham Bowling Club have launched this crowdfunding campaign. Donations will enable us to continue to provide first class playing conditions for all our members and visitors for many years to come.

If you can help by giving as much or as little as you can, we will be very grateful.

Our Club

Evesham Bowling club is a long-standing friendly community-based bowls club with approximately 75 members, based in the Vale of Evesham. In normal times, our club is open most days, with bowls sessions mornings, afternoons and evening, allowing all members of our diverse community, young, old, disabled, retired and working to enjoy the fantastic game of bowls. The green sits beside the River Avon in Evesham. 

We have a lovely welcoming group and everyone, no matter what their abilities, are all treated as equals. Our club is a great environment to meet and make new friends. We actively encourage new bowlers to the game by inviting them to join our social bowling group on Thursday mornings for bacon baps and bowling which has proved to be very popular and encouraging for those feeling ready to be more active in a sport for all ages.

Like so many local community clubs Evesham Bowling Club has suffered loss of funds during the Coronavirus pandemic.  Whilst we would have liked to, we were unable to open during the first half of  the 2020 season and in 2021, following Covid guidelines, we were unable to provide any end-of-game hospitality. This has resulted in a reduction of income and fundraising opportunities.  At the same time the upkeep of the bowling green and the clubhouse was and is, still a priority.

 South Worcestershire Triples League Gala Day

Colourful Fun Triples day

Our Project

The standard of the green is a major factor in the life of a  successful club to enable bowls to be played by beginners through to members playing in County and National Competitions. The green is mowed daily by our members during the outdoor season from April through to October and specialist contractors perform the heavy maintenance work required on the green throughout the year. Last year although the green didn't look its best at times, it bowled beautifully. The edges are in need of substantial repair making it difficult, if not impossible to keep the bowls on the green when bowling to the ditch. The repair to the edges will stand us in good stead and mean improved bowling for many years to come.

Since 1998 we have been flooded three times and it cost the club dearly to have silt and mud cleared from its surface by our specialist contractors. This flooding has undermined the foundations of the playing surface over the years especially along the edges which are now sloping  away and allowing the bowls to roll off instead of staying on the green.

The cost to replace and make good all the edges is £20,000 plus VAT. This involves inserting glass reinforced concrete channel units along the ditches at the edge of the green, then removing 500mm of turf and re-laying new turf while ensuring the levels are corrected. This work is essential and hopefully will last for the next 30 years whether flooding occurs or not.

How you can help us:

• by making a donation - "every small donation helps"
• by purchasing one of the rewards on offer
• by becoming a club member -
• by signing up for one of our bowls taster sessions - see rewards section
• by sponsoring one of our advertising banners that are placed around the green - be seen by the local community and their families and friends

This will be an investment into the future of Evesham Bowling Club ensuring the continuation of our passionate community. It will allow all teams of all ages and abilities to experience the joy of bowling.
 

With your help our club will strive to provide competitive bowls and a community hub for local people.  With your help, we can continue going from strength to strength and increase the availability and quality of the sporting opportunities available to those in our community.

Any monies raised through the crowdfunding page, will help us to achieve all of the above and carry on regardless of Covid-19, to still offer the community the opportunity to enjoy and participate in bowls in lovely surroundings.

Bowls is a game for all, it provides exercise, and because it is a contactless and inclusive sport this means men and  women of any age and those with any disability can all play and enjoy the sport together.

How our project will be United by Birmingham 2022

Lawn bowls is not an Olympic sport, so the pinnacle of the sport is the Commonwealth Games, which takes place every four years. This year they are being held in Birmingham, the bowls competitions are being played 29 July to 6 August at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa, which is only 25 miles away. This will be a great source of inspiration to our members to be able to be involved not only seeing the best bowlers from around the world, but also have the opportunity to be involved as stewards and helpers. The club has grown year on year since the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia and we have great expectations that many in our community will be inspired to come and try this wonderful sport. We have recently been short listed to host a Pre-Games Training Camp for The Cook Islands. We have many members of the public walking past our green, all of which are welcomed into the club to sit down and watch the games, some having a drink from the bar. Each year we hold an open day and this year we will be participating in the Bowls England Bowls Big Weekend 27 – 29 May 2022.

To discuss opportunities to contribute please contact: [email protected]

This project successfully funded on 7th March 2022