PENKETH Bowls Club have been awarded £5000 of 'essential' National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund.

The money is to go towards maintenance of the green during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"'This award means a great deal to us. We have always taken great pride in our green – the best in Warrington," said club secretary and vice chairman Anita York.

"Our green has been in existence for over 100 years. It is a private club owned and run by members from the Warrington and Widnes area, we hold social events and competitions.

"We rely solely upon subscriptions and volunteers to maintain the green and wildlife garden. We have teams that play in the local leagues."

The grant will allow the Penketh club to continue with planned treatments for the green, fertilisation, pest control, cutting the grass, paying utility bills and insurances.

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s chief executive, said: “We want the vital grassroots organisations that make sport and physical activity happen in this country to not just come through this crisis but to be in a position to thrive again in the future.

"The £20m Community Emergency Fund, made possible by National Lottery players, is part of a multimillion pound package of support we are providing to ease the pressure on a huge number of the organisations who are central to the nation’s health and wellbeing."

He added: “We are proud to be able to provide vital funding to Penketh Bowling Club to help it through these extremely challenging times.”

Meanwhile, any bowlers wishing to use the Woolston Sports and Social Club green which has been re-opened in accordance with British Crown Green Bowlers Association guidelines must contact John Pownall in the first instance.

The reason for doing so is to confirm that club and section fees have been paid and also to provide contact details including an email address.

John's contact details are 07593 422459 and jl.pownall107@gmail.com.