A BOWLING club that celebrated its centenary during lockdown says it is seeking new members to help it continue for the next hundred years.
Singer Bowling Club has been a staple of the local community since it was founded back in 1921 but has struggled to recover from the various restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
During Covid, the club completely shut its doors with no social events being held and all sporting action suspended.
And that has resulted in membership falling, with more than 70 members pre-pandemic now reduced to 63.
A lack of membership means less revenue for the club, with members committing £130 per year.
With various costs such as maintenance of the bowling surface along with building and staffing costs, the drop in income means the members have been doing all they can to help the club survive.
Back when former president Gordon Lindsay joined in 1983, the club had 160 members, and he admits he has been getting his fingers green to save Singer some much-needed funds.
He said: “I cut the green now. We used to pay £560 a month for a greenkeeper, but I do that myself now.
“We also get a company in to feed the green and do the necessaries for the year, which cost us £6,500. We’re struggling.”
The club had planned to mark one hundred years of existence in 2021 with a big night marking the impressive milestone with 110 guests.
But with the various restrictions in place in September last year, had to settle for around 70 odds in the club’s pub licensed events hall.
And with things beginning to ease, Mr Lindsay feels it’s a perfect time to get fresh blood in and begin a new chapter for the bowling club.
“We’ve now introduced a thing this year, for anybody who wants to come for a year, rather than pay £130 and no like it, any person who wants to come down and join for a year, it’s £25,” he continued.
As well as its fully licensed bar and events hall, members can enjoy bowling action all year round, with an indoor bowls surface a unique additional asset for anyone with a passion for the sport.
And Mr Lindsay hopes the future will see the club reconnect with the local community. He said: “Once we bring the people in, we’ll be able to do a whole lot of things.”
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