Bowledover! Future safe for club
They are both Assets of Community Value – as the Scarborough club battles back from the brink
After three years of uncertainty, South Cliff Bowls Club is looking ahead to a brighter and more stable future. Members admit that in 2015, they were giving “serious consideration” to calling it a day and closing the club.
“Numbers had fallen dramatically,” admits committee member John Rowlands.
“A last-ditch effort, in the form of a leaflet drop, yielded results and numbers increased significantly, aided by social bowling and social events.”
The optimism did not last long, though, and the club was hit by a bombshell in May 2017.
Scarborough Borough Council decided to add the bowling green facilities to the land which was for sale at the former Filey Road Sports Centre.
Shocked and surprised, and fearing for the future of their club again, the members sprang into action for a second time.
They launched a campaign to save their club, which led to appearances on TV and in newspapers, and they held a public meeting.
The bowlers were determined not to be moved to a windswept site at Sea Cliff.
Six months later, they discovered that was no longer on the cards, and instead, a move to College Avenue was being proposed.
Having been established for a century, it was still not ideal, and the club breathed a sigh of relief in June this year when it was announced that they could stay on the Filey Road site.
John said: “This was welcomed news for a club with over 100 years’ history and a site enjoyed by many for its tranquility.
“The club had also applied for, and been successful in its application, to be an Asset of Community Value.”
That classes it as land of importance to a local community which is subject to additional protection from development under the Localism Act 2011 – a status it shares with some of the country’s biggest football stadiums, including Old Trafford.
“Members have worked tirelessly in improving the garden area surrounding the green and have liaised with the council parks and gardens department with a longer-term view to develop this area.
“We have also received donations of plants from members and B&Q.
“Looking towards the future, the club are in the process of putting together a development plan.”
Great progress is being made on the green as well as on the sidelines.
‘Apart from bowling, there have been many successful social events’
Membership is increasing and many bowlers who have only just started playing recently have represented club’s five teams this season.
The Vets won the Plate competition, South
Cliff has welcomed a number of visiting teams for friendly fixtures and, along with Scalby, it hosted the Scarborough
Open, receiving many compliments about the improved garden area.
Towards the end of the season, the club organised a charity day in aid of Saint Catherine’s Hospice.
In addition to the bowls, participants and spectators enjoyed tombola, a raffle, shove ha’penny, Shut the Box Challenge and an opportunity to buy plants.
Together with donations from Falsgrave Funeral Services, Bedwell Watts & Co, The Weston Hotel, Thorpe & Co Solicitors and club members, the event realised £1,023.
John added: “Apart from bowling, there have been many successful social events such as a quiz, murder mystery afternoon, safari lunch and the ongoing closed season Saturday afternoon activities - Scrabble, jigsaws, darts, cards and good conversation.
“Yorkshire Day was a huge success with the Jonathan Cowap Show (on BBC Radio York) being broadcast from the club and a chance to enjoy ‘welly wanging’ and ‘ferret bashing’.
“There are so many positive and active members, many of whom spent the week following the end of the season working on the green ahead of winter.
“The New Year will see a continuation of the social side with a race afternoon and an IT training course, which illustrates the range of opportunities for all.
“You do not have to be a member or a bowler to enjoy our Saturday afternoon sessions.”
Considering it has looked like game over twice withing the past few years, South Cliff is staging quite a comeback.