Bellfield Bowling Club welcomes all to find beauty of bowls

Apr 17 2009 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard

Club welcomes all to find beauty of bowls

BELLFIELD Bowling Club has rolled out a £24,000 makeover to attract more disabled bowlers to the outdoor game.

Special ramps, boards and equipment have been added to the club’s re-modelled green, which will officially open for play this Saturday.

“We wanted to open up the green and clubhouse to people with wheelchairs and special needs”, said the club’s vice captain Agnes Collins.

“It is like one big family here.”

Members aged between 16 to 80 have worked hard during the past four months re-seeding the club’s green, installing a new irrigation system, putting in ramps and boards and building seating areas.

The club had received several grants to carry out the work

Agnes said: “The seven-rink green is looking amazing. It is a shame a lot of people do not know it is here because there is a big wall around it.”

The club, which opened 33 years ago, is housed in the former walled gardens of the Bellfield estate. Members say the green is a suntrap during the summer months.

Club members have posted 2000 leaflets through the letterboxes of Bellfield homes in the past month, inviting residents and wheelchair users to come along.

Agnes said: “We want to bring people in to the club and show them how to bowl.”

She is worried for the sport, as the number of bowlers has dropped nationally by 6000 in the past year.

Bellfield Bowling Club holds a children’s club every Saturday morning during the outdoor season, which runs until September 26, to attract young blood into the sport.

“Many of our 75 members grew up bowling here,” said Agnes.

A seating and patio area newly built at the club has been dedicated to Agnes’ mum Jean Collins, who sadly died three years ago. She was a valued member of the club.

“This facility is for all the people of Bellfield, not just bowlers,” said Agnes. “Everybody is welcome.”

The clubhouse with kitchen, licensed bar and function room can also be booked for parties and events.

Anyone wanting to find out more about Bellfield Bowling Club, can visit the club this Saturday or phone 07828174720.