Target reached!
Renovation of the snooker room. Repairs to floodlighting
Nether Edge Bowling Club
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom
Aim
* Help preserve an architectural gem. * Help preserve a part of Sheffield sporting history. * Help preserve a community asset.
About Us
Nether Edge Bowling Club (NEBC) was established in 1867 with the purpose of providing first class facilities for Crown Green bowls, billiards and snooker, together with social facilities for members. Since then, NEBC has been a major participant in the sporting life of Sheffield, currently taking part in all the relevant leagues, including Ladies’ and Gents’ veterans leagues. Until the Covid 19 outbreak, NEBC fielded 26 teams across all leagues. In addition, the club has three snooker teams in the local leagues.
Membership now numbers some 110 full members and 25 social members. The membership includes approximately 70 members who are aged 70+ . Many members have age-related disabilities such as arthritis, physical and mobility issues and heart disease. Bowling in the beautiful surroundings of the club is unquestionably a contributor to their well-being. The club has lift access from street level to the bowling green and also provides aids to those who need them.
The club is housed in large Victorian premises which contain a lounge, kitchen, bar, snooker room with three full size tables and the bowling green and gardens which cover approximately one acre. Preservation and development of these fine buildings is a focus for the club.
The club is a Trust run by five Trustees and a management committee of ten.
Impact of Covid 19 on NEBC
Covid 19 has had, and continues to have, a major impact on the club. The club’s most important sources of income are membership fees, bar takings – especially during the bowling season - and income from events such as those outlined above. The club has adhered strictly to the government guidelines and those of the British Crown Green Bowling Association with respect to sporting and social gatherings. The bar closed in March and reopened with limited hours, to members only and with a restricted range of products, in late August. No external functions have taken place.
We have been very fortunate in having a loyal and committed membership. Almost all members have renewed their subscriptions. However, membership fees make up only 25% of club revenues in a normal year.
Revenue will probably fall by two thirds during this financial year.
On a positive note in these difficult times, the club grounds have a proved a godsend to those of our elderly/less mobile members who live locally in flats and apartments and who otherwise would have difficulty reaching open spaces. (Always within social distancing regulations).
Use of Funding
Given that the buildings are 153 years old, maintenance and repairs are always an issue. Currently, the very large Victorian bay window in the lounge is in urgent need of repair, the snooker room needs refurbishment and the floodlights which allow us to bowl all year round need repairs.
The priority is the restoration of the bay window and the funds raised will be used for this purpose.
Get Active, Go Bowling
- Bowling keeps you both physically and mentally active, bowls is very much a game of strategy.
- You will meet new friends and soon be shouting "nowt for short" with the best of them (and understanding what it means).
- You can bowl for 10 months of the year at Nether Edge, even in the dark winter nights under floodlights.
- Bowls is a sport for everyone from the youngest to the oldest. Male and female compete on equal terms and many people with disabilities participate in the sport.
- If you are more of an indoors type, then you can enjoy the historic Victorian snooker room. During the 1980s the snooker room was used for world championship practice sessions by Jimmy White, Eddie Charlton and Willie Thorne.
- New members are always welcome, come along and give it a go!
Community Engagement
Since 1867 the club has become a strong and active supporter of the local community.
In addition to the services provided to members, the club hosts a variety of local groups. The largest of these, in terms of participants, is Nether Edge Folk club which meets on a Wednesday. A monthly Book Club, a weekly Art Group and a weekly Scrabble club also make use of the premises. The Nether Edge Neighbourhood Group has storage space in the buildings and makes use of the premises for the quarterly Farmers’ Markets which it organises. The club also provides accommodation for events which take place during the Nether Edge Festival every September.
The club acts as a polling station during elections and many local and community groups use the club for one-off meetings.
In addition to these community activities , the club also has a commercial role within the locality. Wedding parties, funeral wakes, birthday parties etc. are frequently booked into the club.
Help Us Preserve This Community Asset
Sport England: Active Together has provided £3,750 of match funding
This project successfully funded on 4th December 2020