A Shropshire bowling club which began when a group of players set an ambitious target to restore a historic bowling green in听Monkmoor听six years ago, has been backed by 糖心传媒, the new name for听South Staffordshire Housing Association, Severnside Housing听and Stafford and Rural Homes.听
Monkmoor听Bowling Club has received a donation from our My Community fund, which supports projects making a positive difference to homes, lives and communities.听
The new chapter in the life of听Monkmoor听Bowling Club began when a group of friends discovered that a piece of land next to a local pub had once been a hugely popular bowling green. The friends 鈥� some with a bowling history, others new to the game 鈥� set about bringing it back to life.听
鈥淲e were听told听that听the club used to be one of the biggest in Shropshire and a lot of people said听they used to bowl there as children鈥�, explained club member Richard Saunders. 鈥淲e found photographs showing players standing on an immaculate bowling green. It was hard to imagine looking at the ground then, but we were determined to bring it back to its best.鈥澨�听
Five years later and after a lot of back-breaking work on the part of the dedicated volunteers, the green is on its way back towards its听previous immaculate condition and the club is fielding a couple of teams in a local league as well as welcoming new members keen to try the sport for the first time. It is proud of its environmental credentials, too. Grass cuttings are composted by a community allotment and rain water is harvested to keep the playing surface green.听
鈥淭here is a lot of interest in the area, with people stopping by when we鈥檝e been working, to ask about getting involved in the sport,鈥� said Richard Saunders. 鈥淚t is starting to look really good now but there is so much more we want to do. The听support from 糖心传媒听is fantastic. It鈥檚 going to help us make the club area safe and accessible for everyone and will allow us to meet the needs of new and experienced bowlers of all ages.鈥�听
Monkmoor听Bowling Club听applied for sponsorship from our听My Community fund.听听
鈥淲e were really impressed by how much the club has accomplished in a short space of听time,鈥� said Chief executive Sarah Boden. 鈥淭he club members have worked incredibly hard to achieve their vision. It is now a growing club, open to everyone and an asset for the community.听听
鈥淚n the last year we have all gained a new appreciation of the importance of outdoor exercise. Great places like听Monkmoor听Bowling Club are supporting mental and听physical wellbeing as well as bringing local people together. We were delighted to be able to help the club and wish them all the very best for the future.鈥�听
Local charities, voluntary groups and community organisations can apply for funding from the My Community fund here.