Following the report given to members at Oxenhope Bowling Club’s last Annual General Meeting members will be pleased to learn that funding was awarded to the club by CFFC (Community Foundation for Calderdale) for the purpose of buying a new mower. The club was eligible to apply for an award due to its close proximity to Ovenden Wind Farm. CFFC is the body which deals with applications and allocation of funds on behalf of Ovenden Wind Farm.
Until recently the local council dealt with all aspects of green maintenance including cutting the green. However this service was provided at a cost which has increased year on year and is expected to continue to do so up to 2020. After that it is likely the service will be discontinued due to the council ceasing to receive grants from central government.
This in turn threatens the continued existence of the club and the valuable community service it provides, not just to members, but to the wider bowling community across Calderdale and to the many bowlers, visitors and spectators who attend our green during the bowling season.
The committee, on behalf of all members, is delighted to receive this award from CFFC as it removes the uncertainty which exists regarding the future of green maintenance The award has already been put to good use, evidenced by the acquisition of a new mower, which will be used by volunteers to take over the work previously undertaken by the council. In order to take over green maintenance various new measures have been introduced to ensure the club complies with all regulatory requirements. Public Liability insurance has been increased to £10m and a full risk assessment has been carried out.
Effectively this major change in the way the club operates, thanks to CFFC, provides some certainty of continuity for the club and the services it provides, which extend beyond bowling to include having a beneficial impact on the general wellbeing of all those using and visiting our facilities. The club brings together a large number of people with the common value of an interest in bowls, which contributes to a strong community and helps bind it together. We now look forward to continuing to provide that service for many years to come.