Can we set up a new bowls club?

WE are very sorry to hear that Seaton Burn Bowls Club is closing down. It has been an integral part of the former Miners Welfare in the village since the nearby colliery closed in 1985 and their Green is one of the best in the area.

A combination of members getting older, no new people coming forward, increased fees and a changing sporting culture has forced the loss of another bit of traditional village activity.

It is also a loss of a local organisation that encouraged health and wellbeing in the community.

Green bowls is a gentle game of great skill, hand and eye coordination and patience and there is little that is pleasanter on a fine summer’s day.

Over the many years of its existence the club’s membership has included an England international and a UK age group champion for nearly 15 years. There will be many good memories.

It is one thing to lose a club but what now happens to the facilities? If no one wants to use them they would be costly for the council to continue to maintain but once a green is lost for a season it is difficult to get back into playable condition.

Is there not a big company or business that will get involved, pay the annual fees and use it for their staff?

Are any of the people who are moving into the new houses being built in Wideopen, Great North Park and North Gosforth interested but maybe never heard of Seaton Burn Welfare? There are active football and cricket clubs there too.

We would like to thank all who have run Seaton Burn Bowls Club for a very long time and wish them well.

We need to hear from anyone who can perhaps set up a new club, keep the green open and so continue to contribute to opportunities for improving the health of all who live in the area. Councillors JOANNE CASSIDY, MURIEL GREEN and ANTHONY McMULLEN, Weetslade ward