Bowlers seeing the light at Queensgate
THE dark days are finally over for bowlers at Bramhall’s Queensgate club.
For their cries of ‘let there be light’ have been answered at last.
The club had been one of only a handful of those in the Alderley Edge and District Bowling League without floodlights.
Sometimes at the start and end of the season, league matches which begin at 7pm had finished in the dark - with car headlights being turned on to enable bowlers to see the jack!
But now, following a rigorous planning process, planning consent for four state-of-the-art floodlights was granted in April.
And it is not just the bowlers who are happy – even the local wildlife has benefitted.
An ecological survey was commissioned to ensure that there were no bat roosts or bird nesting sites in any of the large trees surrounding the green.
Despite the absence of such activity, a recommendation that bat boxes and bird nesting boxes be installed has been followed by the club.
To celebrate the switching on of the new floodlights, the club held an evening of social bowling enabling bowlers of all abilities to take part.
Designed to give maximum light spread on the green, with minimum light spillage to adjoining properties, the new floodlights were switched on for 45 minutes at 9.15pm when the sun finally set. The lights will never be on beyond 10pm.
Said club chairman Stewart Bradley: “This is a new chapter for Queensgate Bowling Club.
“The ability to play in the evenings brings us into line with the tennis section at Queensgate.
“And with the age of retirement creeping up towards 68, we need to be able to provide a facility for those still working who cannot bowl in the daytime.
“Several of our opposition clubs are not able to start earlier, as many of their players are still working.”
Queensgate Bowling Club is open to anyone who just wants to bowl for the fun of it, but also has seven teams in the league for those who are more competitive.
Membership enquiries to: Dave Woodcock (07368-512194).