Ex-champion Gary in bid to save Waterloo
IT’S 2014 and the best crown green bowler of the modern era, Gary Ellis, wins the Waterloo championships again. The blue ribband of bowls has been under Gary’s spell on several occasions now.
Hundreds of people witness the event in a decaying stadium that is the “Wembley” of a sport that time has forgotten. Ellis may be the game’s number one but he recognises the troubled times ahead for The Waterloo.
Now six years on at a time when the world is in crisis, Ellis needs all the help he can get as he tries to rescue a venue that means so much to so many.
Gary and his newly formed team include experienced heads such as Ricky Cochrane and local man Phil Mcvittie.
The truth is the stadium needs close to £100,000 to be saved or the hundred plus years of crown green bowling history will diminish into the passages of time.
Ellis loves the game so much he is willing to get the “ball rolling” with a staggering offer of £25,000 to save the condemned stands which have numerous issues.
The Waterloo has already lost one of its stands which was knocked down prior to last year’s final week.
The event was on television screens as recently as 2017 but financially the Waterloo didn’t see a penny – the facts are it was just exposure for the sport.
The monetary figure is an amazing gesture and Gary said: “It’s going to be a very marginal decision whether the venue survives or not.”
Online, Lynn Pritchatt from Birmingham has set up a Go Fund me page which has already reached £10,000 from over 170 generous donations from within crown green bowls.
“It’s fantastic to see so many people trying to save the Waterloo” adds Gary.
The BCGBA Crown green bowling’s governing body see the Waterloo as one of many bowling clubs under its umberella.
It’s understandable therefore that they cannot offer preferential treatment to just one of its members. This decision is not lost on Gary who adds: “I totally understand and get the BCGBA’s stance on helping the Waterloo.”
The future remains in the balance on social media in a small community lots of ideas and comments are being constantly banded about.
“It would be amazing to get the Waterloo back and on television but I doubt we will ever see full stadiums again,” concludes Gary.
In its heyday the Waterloo was packed to the rafters with holiday makers enjoying a fine week of crown green bowls entertainment.
The Waterloo stadium holds so much history to lose it would leave a hole hard to fill in a sport that is already struggling.
The recent television coverage the Waterloo had may have been a lost opportunity financially for the stadium.
The truth is the Waterloo has been neglected for years. It’s not been one individual’s fault it’s just happened because times have changed. Gary and his team now have a massive few months ahead but you get the impression the right man is now at the helm.
It’s a big ask but if the money can be found this historic part of South Shore Blackpool could once again but home to the World famous Waterloo bowls championships. Gary concludes: “If anybody has any ideas or can help in anyone im always available to talk and discuss what can be done.”
If anybody would like to donate via the Go Fund me page you can find it under “Giving The Waterloo A Chance” or drop me an email jamiepealauncher@ icloud.com