Sport England - Movement Fund has provided £1,965 of match funding
Community on the Bowls Green Supporting Our Elders
Cannock, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Aim
To buy a new mower for keeping the green in a safe, playable condition to ensure we continue to benefit older people in the community.
Who are we?
Founded in 1996, Cannock Hatherton Crown Green Bowls Club is a proud hub for both sport and community life. We’re more than just a place to play bowls — we’re a friendly, welcoming club where people come together for competition, companionship, and fun.
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Why are we crowdfunding?
Our bowling club is a well-established and growing community organisation that plays a vital role in supporting older citizens. We offer far more than a sporting activity: the club provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where members – along with hundreds of visiting players from other leagues – can enjoy companionship, light exercise, and friendly competition.
For many, the club is a lifeline. It helps reduce loneliness, promotes active living in later life, and provides opportunities to stay connected, involved, and valued within the community.
The heart of everything we do is our bowling green. Without it, the club cannot exist. A high-quality, well-maintained surface is essential for safe and enjoyable play. The most important tool in this work is our mower and attachments. Unfortunately, our current mower is over 10 years old and becoming increasingly unreliable. Despite the dedication of our volunteers, it is costly to repair and no longer performs to the standard required. If the green cannot be maintained properly, play will be affected, and the club’s ability to deliver social and health benefits will be put at risk.
How we’ll spend the money raised
The main cost for this project is the purchase of a new electric mower and its essential attachments, which are required to maintain our bowling green to a high standard. Based on quotations from reputable suppliers, the costs are as follows:
- Mower: £2,449.00
- Verticutter: £ 474.99
- Scarifier: £ 254.99
- Turf Brush: £ 349.99
- Aerator: £ 399.99
- Warranty (1 year included)
Total for mower and all attachments: £3,928.96
Community impact
The benefits will be felt most by our members, the majority of whom are elderly. Many rely on the club not just for exercise, but as an important part of their weekly routine. Attending the club enables them to meet friends, enjoy friendly competition, and reduce loneliness or isolation. Maintaining the green to a high standard protects these opportunities and keeps the club welcoming and inclusive.
We want members to feel reassured that the club is sustainable socially and environmentally. Knowing the green is cared for will give them confidence they can continue playing for years. Members will also take pride in the club adopting an environmentally responsible approach. Using electric machinery demonstrates planning for the future while benefiting the wider community.
Bowls provides important physical benefits, allowing older people to remain active without the risks of more strenuous exercise. Regular participation helps with mobility, balance, and coordination, while the social environment supports mental well being. A safe, well-maintained playing surface encourages members to stay active longer and attracts new participants who might otherwise feel excluded from physical activity.
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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!
This project successfully funded on 30th December 2025