Penarth Belle Vue Bowling club's in fight for survival

Penarth Belle Vue Bowling Club is fighting to keep the club from extinction after the Vale of Glamorgan Council demolished its clubhouse and rebuilt a community centre in its place.

Built in 1914, and opening on Saturday, May 22, the bowling club has been the heart of the community for over 100 years, but due to council changes, they have lost their original clubhouse with facilities and funding.

Members of the bowling club claim that the council built a community centre with no facilities for the bowling club, despite promises of including changing rooms and facilities.

Penarth Belle Vue Bowling Club green with the white pavilion container in the distance (Image: Newsquest)David Purser, Chairman of Penarth Bowls Club said: “It’s a shame, indeed upsetting that the Vale of Glamorgan council seem to be pushing their proposals for this new building which is neither in keeping with its surroundings nor includes any provision for Penarth Belle Vue Bowls Club to extend its 105-year history, all without any consultation with Penarth Belle Vue Bowls Club.”

Now it faces, losing its white container, named the white pavilion after the council stopped electricity. The container is used to store equipment for the members of the bowl team, and now it faces being removed.

The news angers Jacqui Kempa, press officer and newest club member, who has since worked to raise awareness for the club, calling for new members and donations to help the club keep going.

She told the Penarth Times that the bowls club is a piece of history and the heart of the community in Penarth.

The new community centre replaced the Penarth Belle Vue bowl's original clubhouse and facilities. (Image: Newsquest)“Finding out how much research David (Chairman), has done and all the paperwork he has given to me is hard to put into words.” She said.

“It makes me angry and it's heartbreaking that nobody is listening, as this bowling green is the heart of the community.

“Something that has over 100 years of history and they think they can sweep it up with a broom, they picked on the wrong people.”

The bowling club are working hard to raise money, including running fundraising events.

Malcolm Thomas, a member of the Penarth Belle Vue Bowling Club, added: “We need to keep the club going, that’s what you want the history of the club is important to us talking about 110 years old next year and that’s important to us because of the history.

Penarth Belle Vue Bowling club members. Picture: David Purser (Image: David Purser)“The number of players we have had and the connection with the community that we have had over the last 100 years, and we have a lot of connections to keep the club going.”

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: “The bowls club has use of facilities at Belle Vue Community Centre and was heavily involved in its development.

"Some members also sit on the centre’s management committee, which has requested a copy of the club’s fixtures so other events can be fitted around them.

“The new building boasts a range of modern facilities, including three large rooms which are available for hire, a kitchen, toilets, and a fully accessible changing space for disabled users.

Presidents welcome at Penarth Belle Vue Bowling Club with the old clubhouse in the background. Picture: David Purser (Image: David Purser)"Work to upgrade the nearby play area has also been completed, while the council’s big Fresh Catering Company operates a café from the site.

“The council has helped prepare the bowls green for the forthcoming season and looked into providing a power supply to the storage room used by the club, but unfortunately this proved too expensive.

"The club has not been asked to vacate this storage room.”