St Albans’ Batchwood bowling along merrily
New golf club pavilion is carefully put into place at Batchwood - Credit: photo supplied
BATCHWOOD is back! Well, nearly.
Members of Batchwood Hall Golf Club and their neighbours, Batchwood Hall Bowling Club, had their patience rewarded recently when new pavilions were painstakingly winched into place by crane to replace sports facilities destroyed in a blaze nearly two years ago.
Both pavilions were constructed off-site in Hull, following the devastating fire that destroyed the original clubhouses and the tennis centre in August 2011.
The pavilions were built in four modules and arrived complete with toilets, club room, new kitchen and bar area.
Now that they have been installed permanently at the hilltop location, the clubhouses will be clad with wood and connected to services.
Both pavilions are due for completion in mid-August.
Jeremy Gardiner-Brown, spokesman for the golf club, thanked members for their loyalty, “during this difficult time while we have been without a clubhouse.
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“It’s great the clubhouse has finally arrived and members can’t wait to move in.”
Speaking on behalf of the bowls club Gordon McGregor said: “It was fantastic to see the new modular bowls pavilion arrive and then be lifted and slotted into place by crane.
“The new clubhouse means that we will now be able to proceed with our plans to recruit new members which were put on hold following the fire.”
St Albans district council’s portfolio holder for sports Cllr Mike Wakely said the arrival of both pavilions was a “significant step forward in the redevelopment of leisure facilities at Batchwood after the fire”.
He said that the council was pressing ahead with plans to also redevelop the popular tennis centre, with six indoor courts, along with a special judo dojo facility.
For more information on the golf club see www.batchwoodhallgc.com
If you are interested in trying out a game of bowls please phone Barbara Palmer on 01727 860318. The club will provide bowls and tuition. See www.bowls-clubs.co.uk/BHBC
