Fundraising boost for bowls club following Batchwood blaze
MEMBERS of a St Albans club based at fire-gutted Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre have been bowled over by initial efforts to raise funds towards refurbishing their base.
Pat Savage, president of Batchwood Hall Bowling Club, said more than �700 was raised at a gala last Thursday, September 8, at St Albans Bowls Club.
She said: “It will help towards refurbishing the club house after the disastrous fire that totally destroyed the club house, but not our spirit.”
St Albans Bowls Club members Pauline Gardner, Eileen Englebright, Maggie Kendrick and skip Tricia Gascoine were the winning team.
Batchwood bowling representatives have met St Albans district council to discuss the anticipated rebuilding of the centre.
Demolition of the remains began on September 5.
Pat said that since fire razed the popular facility to the ground in a suspected arson attack last month, club members’ main concern was their green as that was also badly damaged and there has been no maintenance carried out since the August 10 blaze.
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She added: “This has to be rectified and we are hoping that once the demolition has taken place the greenkeepers will be allowed back on the site.
“We need to be able to use the green by the end of April next year to enable members to play at least their domestic competitions and to keep our club together, as it is not only a bowls club but a place for companionship and banter.”
However members were still bowling thanks to the help of local clubs, with final competitions to be held at Harperbury and Clarence Park on September 23 and 24.
