We're bowled out! (From Warrington Guardian)

We're bowled out!

FURIOUS Wharton Rec Bowling Club members claim they have been ousted from their green by Winsford Town Council.

The bowlers are protesting over a decision made by the council to keep green No 2 at Wharton Recreation Ground open for the public at all times, rendering it out of use for the club to play league matches this season.

They say closing the green to the club will mean losing 40 per cent of their members, including all their juniors.

Secretary of Wharton Rec Bowling Club, Brian Harrison, who lives in Nun House Drive, said the club was very disappointed at Winsford Town Council's decision.

He explained: "Members of the public rarely come to use the green so it seems a waste to keep it open at all times for them.

"But it has always been ideal for our junior members who need the opportunity to learn and prove themselves by regular competition.

"We also have women bowlers and pensioners who have trouble with walking and breathing.

"These bowlers can only participate on the No 2 green as they find the No1 green far too big for them to bowl on. We experienced this on occasions last season when they were coming off opponent's greens in a very distressed state.

"We are only asking to use it for three hours a week. The season starts in April and now we will have to turn away a lot of new members.

He added: "The new Vale Royal Sports Council is supposed to be encouraging more people to participate in sport.

"But if No 2 green is taken away, how are we going to introduce new members? We do not want our name in the Sports Council directory if they are going to be like this with us."

Frank Thurwell, of Kerridge Close, Middlewich, a member of Wharton Rec Bowling Club, said: "If green No 2 is closed there are only a few alternatives. Instead of using No 2 green we would have to use No1 green on a Thursday. If this was not possible we could ask Over Rec to use their green on a Wednesday.

"The only other answer would be to use a green in Middlewich but we would have to play back to back with another team and this would be a mammoth task. It gives the league a right headache as we have to make sure fixtures do not clash."

But Winsford Town Council has defended the decision.

A spokeswoman said: "The town council has considered use of the greens at Wharton Recreation Ground, and at a council meeting, members decided that the No 2 green should remain open for public use as from the 1999 season.

"The letter received in this office from Wharton Rec Bowling Club on Monday, January 4, was considered by members of the town council that same evening.

"It was pointed out that a resolution of the council cannot be rescinded for a period of six months.

"However, it was agreed that the use of the green at Wharton will be monitored from the start of the bowling season and brought back to the council for further review after the six month period has expired."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.