Club under threat as it nears anniversary
A bowling club close to marking its 150th anniversary is seeking new members to avoid having to close.
Hamish Shepherd from Strathmore Bowling Club in Coupar Angus contacted the PA this week to put out a plea for new players to join the club to keep it afloat.
Mr Shepherd (80), a club committee member, said Strathmore has seen its membership dwindle from a peak of 150 players two decades ago to just 30 this year.
Although the members still regularly use the Forfar Road facilities to play in competitions through the week as well as friendlies at the weekend, the club is struggling because fewer annual fees are being paid.
Citing rising licensing costs as well as constant maintenance costs for its green, Mr Shepherd said the club needs to add at least another 20 people to its membership to balance its books.
“We used to do well but the membership has just gone down and down and down over the years,” he said.
“We need at least another 20 players to join. That would carry us.”
Mr Shepherd, a former president of the club, is especially keen to sign up younger players who could potentially keep the club ticking over for decades to come.
“What we really want is more young folk to join,” he said. “The younger players we had have got girlfriends now.”
Mr Shepherd also stressed the club is open to suggestions to host other social activities, pointing out that the town’s pipe band regularly use the facilities for rehearsals.
“We’ve got quite a modern clubhouse with two bars,” he added. “We’re also looking for sponsors who could take out advertising around the green.”
Anyone interested in playing at Strathmore can contact club secretary Norman Currie on 01828 627427.
Norman Currie, Hamish Shepherd and Ian Mackenzie