Harrogate bowls clubs feature in national campaign

Bowls clubs in Harrogate have featured in a national campaign to raise participation levels.

The All to Play For initiative was launched during the Commonwealth Games in an effort to broaden the people taking part in the sport.

The Harrogate Amateur Bowling Association featured heavily in the campaign with filming taking place at the Black Swan Bowling Club, Devonshire Place, Harrogate and also at Wetherby Bowling Club, Grange Park, Wetherby.

Dave Rowson, secretary of the HABA, said:

“We were delighted to be selected for the National Play Bowls campaign and see some of our local clubs and players included.

“We are grateful to the support from North Yorkshire Sport and Sport England and hope we can encourage as many people in the local areas to Try Bowls.

“It really is a sport for all and can be played by families and individuals of all ages.”

Part of the campaign included shooting a promotional video, which includes shots from players in Harrogate taking part in the sport.

You can watch the video by Bowls England below.

 

The campaign comes as bowls clubs in the Harrogate district joined together in a bid to recover from the covid pandemic.

All 16 clubs that play in the Harrogate league came together after it became clear that some were at risk of folding.

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The clubs recently received funding from North Yorkshire Sport and Sport England in order to come up with a plan to increase participation.

The league has also trained 10 coaches, bought new equipment and put on “Try Bowls” sessions as part of the effort.

The HABA will also be hosting a charity bowls event on Sunday (August 28) in aid of the Robert Ogden centre.

For more information on how to get involved with the open bowl sessions, email habasect@gmail.com.

Bid to save ‘at risk’ Harrogate district bowls clubs

Bowls clubs in the Harrogate district have joined forces in an attempt to recover from the covid pandemic.

All 16 clubs that play in the Harrogate league have come together after it became clear that some were at risk of folding.

Dave Rowson, secretary of Harrogate Amateur Bowling Association, which governs the game in the district and coordinates its development, said the organisation had launched a drive to increase participation and retain players.

Mr Rowson said membership in local crown green bowls was declining and some clubs were at risk of going under.

He said:

“Membership of many clubs is declining and of the 16 clubs in the district there are a number forecasting that without an increase in participation they could be at risk of being unable to remain in existence.”

Mr Rowson, who is also secretary of Black Swan Bowling Club on Devonshire Place in Harrogate, pointed to Bilton Working Men’s Club as an example of a club which needed support.

The club currently has 26 bowlers and needs more players to remain viable.

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Paul Gill, who is a member of Bilton Working Men’s Club, said part of the problem was that the sport was regarded as an “old man’s game”.

He added that people also did not know where the bowling greens are situated because they are often behind buildings or hidden.

Mr Gill said:

“They do not know they are there.

“There are a lot of locations and a lot of clubs.”

Grants and strategy

After two years of the covid pandemic, the 16 clubs decided to come up with a strategy to ensure their survival.

As part of that, Mr Rowson secured a £1,500 grant to set up a website for Harrogate Amateur Bowling Association.

The site will enable each club to advertise open days for potential new members. The season runs from April to October so the number of open days is expected to ramp up shortly.

Mr Rowson added:

“The programme will be open to all. Bowls is a sport for everyone irrespective of age or gender. Everyone can compete equally.”

Younger players, parents and people retiring from other sports such as cricket and football will be encouraged to come along.

The association aims to get 600 new participants trying bowls. Mr Rowson added that there was capacity for 13 more eight-person teams in the Harrogate league.

He estimates that the league would need 80 new bowlers for those teams and to cover any player holiday or illness.

The association has also bid to North Yorkshire Sport for up to £5,000 in funding for equipment costs and coaches to help new players.

For more information on how to get involved with your local bowls club, visit the Harrogate Amateur Bowling Association website.

Ex-chairman of Starbeck Bowling Club admits stealing £3,334

The former chairman of Starbeck Bowling Club has pleaded guilty to stealing more than £3,000 from the organisation.

Donald Palmer, 70, of Eleanor Drive, Harrogate, volunteered to carry out work on footpaths at the club in 2019.

He was given multiple signed, blank cheques to buy materials but used them for his own benefit.

At Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday, Palmer admitted stealing £3,334 between November 15 and December 13, 2019.

He was ordered to pay back the sum at a rate of £140 a month and escaped further punishment.

Solicitor David Dedman, representing Palmer, said his client had taken “advantage” of the club’s trust and was sorry for his actions. He said:

“This is a tricky case for a number of reasons. Mr Palmer voluntarily did the works at the club. He agrees he took the money, he was given blank, signed cheques and took advantage of this. The club benefitted and lost as a result of his actions.

“He is 70, has never been in trouble and lives off his state pension. I would ask we deal with this here rather than going to crown court.”

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Magistrate Christopher Harrison agreed it was difficult to reach a verdict. He told Pamler:

“We’ve taken into account your guilty plea, good character and that you have no criminal history and the probability of you troubling a court again is unlikely. We are going to give you a compensation order to pay the £3,334.51 back to the club.”

‘A shame it came to this’

Club secretary Steve Day told the Stray Ferret after the hearing he noticed funds had “dwindled” when he received a bank statement.

He said when the money wasn’t reimbursed, the club decided to take action.

Mr Day added:

“We are pleased it has been resolved, it was just a shame it had to come to this. Mr Palmer was chairman and first team captain and was always very supportive of the club.”

The club, situated next to Starbeck Baths, dates back to 1920 and has eight league teams.

Bilton bowling club to open new clubhouse

Bilton Dragon Bowling Club is due to open a new clubhouse next Sunday.

The crown green bowls club was founded in 1909 and has members aged 14 to 93. The club plays on a green behind the Co-op on Skipton Road.

Its first clubhouse was a wooden pavilion erected in 1910 at a cost of £17 and 10 shillings.

The new one has been funded by a £20,000 grant from Sport England and fundraising by members.

The club had hoped to open it last year but it was delayed due to covid.

Players at the club.

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Mayor of Harrogate Trevor Chapman will be there today to cut the ribbon.

The club is also looking for new members. If you’re interested in playing or have any questions, email the club’s chairman Trevor Whincup here or call John Archer on 07715030832.

Mr Whincup said:

“Bowls is perceived to be an older person’s sport, but we have members of all ages. It’s good exercise and it’s a good game.”