Volunteers swing into bowling success

Bowling greens in Blackburn with Darwen are thriving thanks to hard-working volunteers who have taken on the day-to-day running of the clubs, backed with support from the Council.

The Council helps the greens with a small financial contribution per year and allowing a long term lease. Whitehall Bowling Green, Whitehall, opened in the Edwardian era, now has more than 70 members, 11 teams and twice-a-week coaching sessions for newcomers. It is a great example of the Your Call initiative which sees the Council working in partnership with communities.

Patricia Turner, who helps to run Whitehall green by the entrance to the park, said the takeover had been an ‘unqualified success’.

She added:

“We have maintained good relations with the Council although we are now on our own. Harry Catherall, the Council’s Chief Executive, called in for a chat recently while we were running a beginners’ course. He was in Darwen at a function at the academy and took the opportunity to say hello.”

Whitehall was selected recently to stage one of the National League championship matches between East Lancashire – mainly the Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn area – and South Lakes.  Two matches took place at the same time – the other was at Carnforth – and East Lancashire lost narrowly.

Patricia added:

“The visiting team and supporters were really enthusiastic about our green and about the warm welcome they received. They were particularly taken with the home-made cakes provided by our lady members!”