A bowling club in South Lancaster is celebrating after a fundraising campaign reached its target.
Palatine Bowling Club brought the sport back to the green in Palatine Park at Scotforth around seven years ago and after the green was vandalised, successfully applied for National Lottery funding to improve the facility.
Sport England pledged £5,611 as long as the club could raise the other half, so earlier this year a Crowdfunder appeal was launched.
The campaign was “all or nothing”, so the club needed to hit their target to unlock the 50% match funding already secured.
Now, more than £11,000 will be available to revitalise the historic green.
More than 70 local people donated, while further funds came from around 20 new members to the club.
The campaign also received significant support from the Lancaster Community Fund, and a final major donation from HiQ Tyres & Autocare on Scotforth Road, whose contribution helped the campaign over the line.
“It’s important to support community projects like this,” said HiQ’s manager and owner Joe Marshall.
“We’re excited to be part of the next stage and seeing a great space develop back into something amazing.’’
Bowling team captain Janine Bebbington said: ‘’People have shown such goodwill and generosity.
‘’This funding will transform the green and help us get everyone bowling again. It’s not really about bowling though, it’s about community. Little-by-little, Palatine is coming back to life.
‘’For generations, Palatine has been woven into the life of South Lancaster. Many locals remember growing up around the green, watching their parents and grandparents play, learning the game themselves, or simply spending long summers on the sidelines with friends.
‘’The club hopes that by restoring Palatine, those memories can be honoured, and new ones created for today’s families, neighbours, and schoolchildren.’’
Opened in 1931, Palatine Bowling Green has been part of South Lancaster’s landscape for nearly a century.
The new funding means the project – called Hands Up Who’s Playing Bowls? - can move to completing the revitalisation of the historic green, which has already seen new railings installed around the perimeter, with the club now seeking to add benches, planters, bowls for adults and children, and essential upgrades to the playing surface.
Secure storage and other careful improvements to the green will protect it for years to come, allowing Palatine to continue its legacy as a place where generations meet, play and enjoy time together.
Although the target has been reached, the Crowdfunder page remains open, and further donations will help the club go even further in restoring and improving the green.
Anyone who wishes to show their support can do so here
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