Concerns have been raised over the future of a historic west Stirlingshire bowling club that has seen membership numbers fall to worryingly low levels.
Strathblane Bowling Club this week staged its AGM at which only 14 members attended.
The club currently only has 16 male playing members and just four female members – down from around 16 women prior to the pandemic, as well as 30 men.
The bowling club dates back to 1907 and is a long-standing fixture in the local community, run by volunteer members, most of whom live within the village.
Up until recently, the green and surrounds had been cared for by the members. However, due to decline in membership and an aging existing membership, this has become largely unattainable. Green contractors have been employed, which in turn is largely eating into the club’s funds.
Detailing the plight facing the club, the club committee told the Observer: “We have a rough idea, looking at the records we have, that the total number of playing members in 2012 was approximately 70. This is a good indication of the steady decline. And I don’t think it’s isolated to our club in Strathblane.
“Going back further, there were so many members, that there were qualifying rounds to get to entry to club competitions, such was the demand to play. This year, there will be a real struggle to play the competitions at all.”
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As part of efforts to boost membership numbers, the club has run a series of initiatives, including a school club to try and involve more youngsters in the sport. The committee added: “We worked with the school to have classes at the club. The kids really enjoyed this, but we haven’t seen any return in membership.
“We also ran a come and try BBQ day, which was fairly well attended, but once again without much, if any, return in new members. We have had leaflet drops, notices in the local Blanefield Valley bulletin, open days, advertised Monday night ‘come and try’ nights, open to anyone. These are attempts we make every year, without much success.”
They added: “There’s an age stigma with bowls. That’s very unfortunate considering the opportunities available for bowlers of all ages.
“Adding to that, there are a lot of clubs that families can go to now, and time restraint will inevitably mean choices will be made with regards to time and financial obligations. We have a first year reduced membership of £50 and also pay-per-play games options to try and make the financial aspect less of an issue.”
With regards to the club’s future, the grounds on which the clubhouse sits are on a long-term rolling lease from the landowner and the committee says that for as long as the bowling club is in existence, it will remain there.
They added: “However, if the bowling ceases, the grounds will revert back to the owner to do with as they wish. I don’t know what would happen then, but I can hazard a guess the land would be used for something like housing.
“With regard to the loss for the community, the bowling club is massive part of the village history, the boards of previous champions, presidents of many families that still live in the village.
“It’s a vital opportunity for people to have an activity on their doorstep that would be lost. The social aspect would be a massive loss too.”
To safeguard the future of the club and register an interest in joining, people are urged to contact the Strathblane Bowling Club Facebook page for more details.
