Club Bowled Over After Topping Off Season With JCB Support

A village bowling club has two reasons to celebrate after securing funding for a new shelter and topping off a successful season.

Mayfield Crown Green Bowling Club feared they would be without refuge from the elements when their Conygree Lane recreation ground shelter was destroyed by storms at the beginning of the season. But an appeal to the local community produced heart-warming support for the 30-strong club which has been a part of the village sports scene since 1990.

Local businesses and The Royal Oak village pub, where players meet after practice sessions, made donations while JCB topped up the funds with £750 to ensure they hit the £2,700 target. The support has spurred on the club to a successful season competing in the South Derbyshire Crown Green Bowling Harold Fellows Monday night league, along with two teams in each of the Uttoxeter Saturday League and Over 55s League.

Club Chair Rita Blood said:

“We didn’t know what to do when we lost the shelter at the beginning of the season because we are a small club and we run on a limited budget year to year, but we have been humbled by the support of JCB and we are tremendously grateful for their generosity."

“This season, our A Team has won the Uttoxeter League Division 1 and our Veterans A Team has come runner-up in the Vets League Division 1 - both for the third year running. Meanwhile, team member Alan Blood has won the Averages in both the Division 1 Saturday League and Vets Division 1 League. We also managed to stay up in Division 2 of the Harold Fellows League, which is a real achievement for a small club like ours.”

New members are welcome every Saturday afternoon at the Playing Field bowls green or contact Secretary/Treasurer Mark Jennings on 07866 809443, for more information.

Photo: Members of Mayfield Bowling Club celebrate securing funding for their new shelter.