Club in the Spotlight:Woodford-cum-Membris “I put a call out for volunteers to help us
one Saturday. I wasn’t expecting anyone to turn up, but about a dozen people, including local tradesmen, arrived with their tools. It was staggering. That proved engaging the local community was absolutely crucial.” Seeking to give back to the community that lent a helping hand, Woodford now welcomes residents from a local care home for people with learning disabilities. The group visits the club every week and spends two hours playing with volunteers from the club who teach them about the game.
The local Scout group has also visited the club for evening of bowls tuition and will be doing so again later in the year. Recently, the club was even visited by a team from Special Olympics GB.
As a result of its desire to be more inclusive
and increase interest from people with physical disabilities, Woodford consulted with Disability Sport UK and has started to improve facilities in terms of access for wheelchair users. “We’ve struck up a good relationship with the local care home, and now a group of club members volunteer to coach the residents once a week. “We’ve also been approached by a local wheelchair bowls club who were looking for a place to play, so we’ll be trying to improve facilities to accommodate them.” The chairman revealed that, funds allowing, the club intends to make further improvements to its facilities by completing the paving to the perimeter pathway, installing permanent ramped access to both the green and the clubhouse and purchasing equipment for bowlers with impaired vision.
The club also doesn’t intend to rest on its laurels. During the next 12 months Woodford aims to increase playing membership by a further 25%, increase U16 membership by 20% and increase revenue by the same percentage. “We’re in a much better position than we were in 18 months ago, though there’s still work to do. We now want to finish what we started,” said Rigby. So, having steered Woodford-cum-Membris through a particularly perilous situation, what advice does the chairman have for the many other clubs the length and breadth of the country facing similarly difficult circumstances? “Don’t give up. Yes, members are difficult to get, but if it’s a good cause, there are good people out there who will help you.”
Clockwise from top: Woodford’s green in its previously sorry state; club members lend a hand; local greenkeepers’ expertise came in handy; bowlers enjoy the much-improved green
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