Council’s attack on bowling

I fully agree with the comments made by Terry Todd in last week’s Chronicle. Does this Labour-run council understand the implications of its actions

?It closes the indoor bowling lanes at the Metrodome then has the audacity to cut the maintenance of its bowling greens around the borough, forcing clubs which have been operating for years to close. It is immoral. Many members, like me, are senior citizens, who look forward to bowls not only for the competition, but the friendly banter and exercise. I  understand it is very difficult to allocate money in this economic climate. But with the government and its predecessors encouraging sport at all levels and with the Olympics being held next year surely it cannot be right to cut to what many see as a wonderful hobby.

Having played local football, followed by refereeing, playing cricket, then umpiring – which I still do and enjoy – playing bowls gives me the satisfaction of competition which gives me stimulation and relaxation as you get that bit older. I know I could go to play at a private club, but that’s not the point many members like myself are attached to their own clubs with their own friends.

And now to make matters worse we receive a letter with a paragraph that if we do not reply by September 9 we will not be interested in leasing, this does not give us much time to discuss the matter. Some of the more affluent clubs may accept the proposal, but I understand this could mean us paying £100, plus match fees,and the usual expenses of travelling to grounds, but that may not be as much as many will have closed. So I urge the council to have a rethink.

Let’s get together with the bowling association and the clubs and sort this out and save the history of some of well known clubs, like Ardsley, Highstone, Darton and Darfield.

The sporting public of Barnsley deserves it.