Parliament Hill bowls club could jack it all in

Published: 15 July, 2010
by DAN CARRIER

IT has provided a quiet afternoon’s entertainment for 73 years, but now the future of the Parliament Hill bowling club is under threat after its membership fell to just 24.

Owners the City of London want the club to boost its numbers and have warned they will review the funding of the green. Situated by the tennis courts on Parliament Hill Fields the club costs £30,000 a year to maintain and was recently given a £138,000 refit of its ageing pavilion.

Club president Derek Kennell said: “We need more members. All clubs are suffering from falling membership. We are in discussions with the City regarding the green. It is about the best one in London and we have some very good bowlers – but we need more.”

Mr Kennell and the club’s secretary Alf Turner both performed well in last year’s prestigious Officers Cup – a competition that pits club officials against one another – and they still attract a dedicated team. But the City say it is not enough.

Mr Kennell added; “We have spoken to the City and we will fight to make sure this club does not fold. 

“The City have to make it viable because they have to pay a large expense to run the ground. They have to have a proper groundsman to run the green.”

The situation has echoes of the fight to keep swimming in the ponds free of charge five years ago, with the argument that the City took on managing the Heath knowing that it had very expensive outlays in looking after some of the recreational facilities and they are duty bound to manage them.

A City of London spokesman said: “We need to boost the numbers. We spent money on the club house on the understanding they would boost membership but the numbers have fallen further. We have discussed options, such as holding junior bowls sessions, or maybe sharing the facilities with croquet. It just does not seem sustainable at its current levels.”