Winter green struggles are a big puzzle

STOCKPORT’S only winter bowling sweep continued on Sunday even in the face of adversity.

Numbers are dwindling down at Love Lane after five years of hard work by the competition organisers. With a vast variety of options including singles, pairs and mini leagues and hot/cold food every week it is puzzling to see the event struggling.

Love Lane also pay out all the entry fees they take in which is in stark contrast to other neighbouring winter sweeps. One issue appears to be with the bowling permit with a divide across the town in numbers that are purchased. The £23 charge is being adhered to at Love Lane but not at the other winter venues.

Stockport’s four official council winter bowling greens are Love Lane, Torkington, St Thomas and North Reddish. Those greens offer a wide range of options in all the different areas of the borough. Despite this other parks green are being used which are not designated winter venues which is also impacting on the sweep. Although winter bowling has never been as popular as summer bowling the drop in numbers has been staggering.

Love Lane also has a twice yearly county style match against visitors from Lancaster in Cumbria. The fear now is without support from Stockport’s bowlers and help from the council another green could fall silent in the town’s parks.

With bowls providing fresh air and socializing for many even the round-robins have also started to show slow decline in numbers. On the green this week a 31up pairs was played with the eighteen bowlers who turned up. Terry Gale was on fire and aided his partner Steve Crowther into the final with minimum fuss.

In the other half of the draw Steve Ellis and Adam Breen cut a swathe through the field.

The final was a cracker with Ellis and Breen seemingly in command as they opened up a decent lead. Gale and Crowther kept coming back into it though with both playing some really good bowls.

In the end a relieved Ellis and Breen crashed over the line to win the title 31-29.

This coming Sunday it’s the £10 super sweep with the Heaton Norris Shield taking place the current holder is Rodger Mille.