Developing a Top Class Bowling Green

The Pitch

Problem statement

It’s a constant battle to keep our bowling green in good condition for the benefit of our Members and the 200 or so players who visit us each season.To a degree it’s a privilege to walk out and play on a top quality green, as it’s so difficult and costly to establish and maintain. However it’s a real pleasure when you do! There is always something that needs to be done or repaired. As well as the usual maintenance of the playing surface, we urgently need to replace the rotted timber posts that support the white painted safety boards that surround the green.

Solution

The project will cover the material costs of replacing 75 timber support posts and the compacted ballast needed to keep them in place. We want to use recycled plastic as this will last far longer than timber but is more expensive. Our Members will complete this during the Summer and Autumn as part of the regular working parties we do. The project also covers heavy maintenance work needed at the end of the season in September. There are two elements to this. Scarifying and spiking by a contractor using specialist equipment and top dressing and reseeding by our Members. A maintenance plan by a specialist indicates regular treatments of lawn sand and Spring and Summer feed are also needed.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

Our Members are very keen on self help but we know certain works are best carried out by specialists, particularly where machinery is involved. Everything we do on the bowling green is guided by a report and plan written by a specialist contractor a few years ago. We have been following this diligently and it is really paying dividends. The improvements we are looking for will take time but as what is needed is within the general DIY skills range of our Members, it is achievable.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

220 people

Expected impact

The safety of players on the green will be maintained as the perimeter boards will be secured. This is necessary as there are odd occasions when players step on them to get on and off the green. The white painted boards help guide players safely from the edge of the green to avoid falls.The player experience will be much improved as the surface of the green will be much better. Damp, weed and moss infested greens are difficult to play on, particularly for older, less able players. Doe Hey has lost players for this reason in the past and this will no longer be the case.Our ultimate aim is to hold one or more of the League cup competitions. The green has never been regarded as good enough to do this and achieving this aim would be a great morale boost for our Members.

Track record

Two years ago we raised 50% from Members and 50% from a grant source to replace two large broken awnings on the front of the pavilion costing £1800. Last year we secured funding to plant up a 50 metre long by 1metre flower bed with bee friendly plants. The ground was overgrown with weeds and tree seedlings which our Members removed over 7 working parties of 2 hours.

Project updates (0)