Emotional end for bowlers (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Emotional end for bowlers

9:22am Thursday 25th September 2008

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Bowls: Westinghouse Bowls Club in Chippenham saw its last games played on Saturday.

The club is to be closed after Westinghouse Rail Systems, the owners of the land on which the club sits, refused to let the clubhouse remain open.

Deprived of their toilet facilities, kitchen area and bar the club have decided they cannot continue.

Club secretary and captain Stuart Allison said the club bade an emotional farewell to 71 years of history with a friendly captain's day event.

He said: "We had a great day, everyone made the most of it and enjoyed themselves under the circumstances.

"It was very emotional for certain people with long connections with the club.

"There have been some players who have been members for 40 years.

"We presented Bill Hutchins, who has been a life member, with the club flag to recognise his commitment to the club.

"He was very moved, I can assure you."

The usual end of season captain's day saw the club members play each other and Allison was able to thank all those involved in the season.

He told the Gazette: "Thankfully the weather was good and we had a really good turn out.

"The whole club was there as well as some ex bowlers who also came along.

"We put on a meal and had a few drinks and the captain said thank you to all the people who have served the club."

Among the topics discussed by members over their food and drink was where members would relocate to.

Allison said: "Everyone is looking to the future and saying they will find a home somewhere.

"It's going to take time to get used to when you've been playing with the same group of players for so long.

"Friendships are a big part of playing bowls and at our age there aren't many other sports you can take part in."

The Westinghouse members will now be weighing up the option of joining one of the three clubs in Chippenham or other clubs in the surrounding villages.

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