A level playing field | North Greenford Bowls Club

North Greenford Bowls Club, in the Ealing & District league, was formed in 1951 and plays actively. However, over the years, the edges of its flat lawn bowling green have worn down which has made playing friendly matches and club competitions extremely difficult. 

With Ealing Council agreeing to pay 50 percent of the cost, help with funding the remainder was therefore needed: no green would have meant no club. The Club therefore turned to Greenford Quay by Greystar to enquire about a Community Grant and we were only too delighted to be able to help.

“The problem was that our bowling green had suffered so much wear and tear, it was no longer flat,” explains Chris Jones, Club Secretary. “Bowling balls kept running off into the ditch two yards from the edge instead of stopping at it – which was very frustrating for us and for competing teams as no-one could play accurately.”

Chris applied to Greenford Quay for a community grant, which is awarded each month to local community projects. “They did everything they possibly could to help us,” he says. “We met to talk about the club and exactly what we needed. They even helped me with filling in the application!”

Repair work to the bowling green started in January. The turf was taken off and the four edges were raised with concrete. Once the grass has grown, the green will be levelled off and top-dressed – ready to add a new lease of life to the club.

North Greenford Bowls Club offers a fantastic opportunity for the local community to stay fit outdoors. Chris enthuses, “Bowls is for everyone to enjoy – our oldest member is 94! It’s good exercise for your joints and stretches and conditions the many muscles you use. You aren’t giving your cardiovascular system a workout, so the exercise is mainly anaerobic.”

The club currently has 20 members, and is looking to attract more people of any age. “We’re a small and friendly club. We hold social gatherings at our club house, a Christmas party and a main presentation night with a dinner at which trophies are awarded.” Chris especially hopes that younger residents at Greenford Quay will join as the club is keen to continue the bond that’s been developed. “Everyone at Greenford Quay has been great. They’ve invited our members to open evenings and events such as a film show; they feel part of our local community and are always keen to help.”
Chris is keen to point out that there’s no need to invest in any equipment if thinking of joining. “We have bowls at the club and always suggest that new members try them out for a few months, rather than buy their own. Bowls come in different sizes and weights so you need to see what feels right.” 

With the club reaching its highest league position last year than ever before in the previous nine, Chris has high hopes for next season. With a new and beautifully flat lawn to play on, North Greenford Bowls Club is bound to turn the competition green with envy!

North Greenford Bowls Club is owned by Ealing Council and situated in Horsenden Hill Playing Fields (opposite The Ballot Box Pub). To enquire about joining, please contact Chris Jones, Club Secretary, at j49cjjones@hotmail.com.

Find out more about how a Greenford Quay Community Grant could help your local project, initiative or community group >>