A BOWLING club’s green has fallen into such a state of disrepair that members are refusing to pay their rent until the council sorts the problem out.
The secretary of Denbigh Bowling Club, Clive Williams, says the organisation is so embarrassed by the deterioration of facilities at Lower Park he has been told not to accept any more invitations for matches with other sides.
In a letter to Denbighshire’s senior parks, playgrounds and playing fields officer Mike Hall, Mr Williams claims the green has been ruined by youngsters playing ball games and riding their bikes across its surface.
He writes: “Visiting teams from all over North Wales are amazed at the deterioration that has taken place over the last decade or so, and members are so embarrassed at having to make apologies that I have been instructed not to accept any representative or cup matches for the foreseeable future.
“We appreciate that security at the Lower Park is a major problem and that children continually play football and ride bikes across the grass, accentuated by the fact Denbighshire County Council provide no supervision of the entire area.
“It is therefore my duty to inform you that Denbigh Bowling Club will be withholding their rent until such time that we consider Denbighshire County Council have taken immediate noticeable action to improve both the quality of the green and the security of the surrounding area.”
County councillor Raymond Bartley said he had been in talks with Mr Hall about remedies, and had come to the conclusion that any solution would cost extra funds.
“It’s all very well spending money on the green but there’s no point in doing so if we are going to find the situation is exactly the same next year,” he said.
A spokesman for Denbighshire said: “We can confirm that Denbigh Bowling Club are holding back on their payment of fees for this year.
“Unfortunately the condition of the green at Lower Park is not in the condition or standard we would aim for, but due to current resources, is something we are unable to rectify.
“However, we are looking at the maintenance programme for the green, and the park in general later in the year, and will see if more finance can be found to provide for extra work on the green at the end of the bowling season.
“We are aware of the problems of youths playing football on the site, and are looking to employ an attendant shortly, to help with security on the site.”
