Club bowled over with £1,000 to improve cooking facilities

BRIDGEND Municipal Bowls Club is cooking with gas after securing a grant to improve its facilities.

The club has received £1,000 from housebuilder Persimmon Homes to replace its existing cooker and extraction unit, which have recently been deemed noncompliant.

The cooking facilities play a vital role in generating income for the club.

Bridgend Municipal Bowls Club, based on Newbridge Fields, is currently going through the process of switching the operation and maintenance of the club from the local authority to its members.

Debbie Taylor, ladies’ captain at the club, said: “We’re thrilled to receive this generous donation from Persimmon Homes.

“Our vision for the club is a community hub which provides not only a bowls complex but also other valuable social activities.

“We are finding, however, that the process to switch responsibility from council to members is becoming a drain on our limited financial and people resources.

“We can generate income through bar and food sales but we’ve recently been advised our cooking facilities need replacing.

“This grant from Persimmon will protect our limited finds while sustaining the structure and longevity of our club for the community.”

The donation comes from Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme, which has seen more than £5m handed out to good causes across Great Britain since its launch.

Sharon Bouhali, sales director at Persimmon Homes West Wales, said: “We’re pleased to be able to support Bridgend Municipal Bowls Club.

“It’s fantastic that the club members are taking these steps to improve the facilities for everyone in the town. It’s a real pleasure to be part of that.”