by Alan Quick

AFTER many years of fundraising, and thanks to the efforts of voluntary labour by club members, North Tawton Bowling Club has been able to officially open its brand new clubhouse, now the envy of many bowling clubs across the county.

John Kinsey welcomed members and guests to the clubhouse on behalf of the management committee and the ribbon was cut by club secretary Gordon Denham, assisted by the president Paul Andrews, treasurer Robert Arscott, club life members Joyce and Des Vallance and the Devon Bowls president, Colin Healy MBE.

Mr Andrews praised all those who had been involved in making the new clubhouse possible, particularly Gordon Denham, and he described the facilities at North Tawton Bowling Club now as “a credit to the club and town”.

The club was founded in 1950, taking on the old Rectory Gardens in 1953, where there had been a tennis club.

It was opened in 1955 and an extension added in 1995 to increase the rink from four to six rinks that it has today.

Mr Healy said that it was just two years ago that he played bowls at the ground when the then County President John Theedom and Ladies President Margaret Brotheridge plunged a spade into the soil above the greens “to mark the beginning of this wonderful new clubhouse.”

He added: “As Margaret jokingly remarked at the time ’two old sods cutting the first sod’.”

He said: “I know that you have met problems many and varied in the development of the clubhouse and I congratulate you on your dedication and perseverance under the weight of all the difficulties you have faced, but what a marvellous result for the club now to have such a tremendous facility.

“I know that all members of Bowls Devon join me in sending their best wishes for the future and many of them will be looking forward to visiting and enjoying your new clubhouse when they next play at North Tawton.”

Mr Healy presented the club with a glass memento, which was accepted by the club president, Paul Andrews.

Club chairman, Mike Thwaites, said making the clubhouse possible had been "a real community effort because a lot of people who are not bowlers came and helped us free-of-charge".

In one way or another, he added that probably as many as 75 people helped, adding that in some areas there is still some work to do.

The clubhouse was made possible with funding provided by Sport England and Viridor Credits Environmental Company.

Additional funding was provided by the Durant Legacy run by North Tawton Town Council, Devon County Council, Mr and Mrs Gregory, Taw Valley Creamery and members of the bowling club.

Also thanked was funding advisor Paul Tucker of GRIN, Grant Resources Information News and the contractors for the project.

A car park area has been established alongside the new clubhouse and the former club premises are still being used as changing rooms and storage.