Bowlers win a crucial battle in fight for future

BOWLERS fighting for the future of their clubs have ‘won a mini battle’ after a council committee agreed to explore the issue further.
Bowls club meeting  3 SUS-141013-140557001Bowls club meeting  3 SUS-141013-140557001
Bowls club meeting 3 SUS-141013-140557001

Worthing Borough Council had proposed to close two greens and club rooms at Field Place, which bowlers argued would spell the ‘death knell’ for clubs at Field Place and West Tarring.

But the council’s Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee has urged the cabinet to consider alternative options fully.

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West Tarring president David Tomalin, 79, said: “We have won a mini battle but it was one we had to win because had the committee accepted the report in its entirety then that would have been the recommendation to the cabinet.

“Negotiations can continue now. We hope the cabinet will take note of what the committee said.”

The committee was considering the council’s open space assessment report, which included the recommendations about the bowls clubs.

Mr Tomalin had asked the council to consider merging the two clubs and use the Field Place clubhouse, rather than relocate to Beach House Park.

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Speaking in support, Castle ward councillor Luke Proudfoot told the committee he was ‘extremely concerned’ about the initial proposal.

“In short, it will see the end of a 90-year history of bowls at Field Place. I cannot believe this is really the outcome the council and members wish to see.

“Members will be aware that the greens will be cut straight away. All of next season’s fixtures have already been arranged so the changes would disrupt the whole league.

“It would mean that the players who all live locally would need to go right to the other side of the town centre to go bowling.”

For the full story, see the Herald, out Thursday, November 20.