Bowls green sale saves club

Part of an historic Black Country bowling club is being sold to a housing developer in order to help it survive.

Bilston Town Bowling Club, which is more than 100 years old, is so cash-strapped that members have been forced to sell off one of its greens to housebuilder Balanced Life.

The Dudley-based firm is paying a substantial sum to build five houses on the site, but the sale should help to secure the struggling club's future for years to come.

Agent David Trewin, acting on behalf of Balanced Life, said the Bilston Town clubhouse in Villiers Avenue was in a state of disrepair and members simply could not afford to refurbish it.

He said: "There is a great deal of work that needs doing as it is a community facility that is used by many people, but it needs refurbishing to meet statutory guidelines, such as getting a fire certificate and improving disabled access.

"The green in question is surplus to requirements so they have decided to sell it. The main green will continue to be played on."

The bowling club was opened in the early 1900s and was operated as a company with directors in charge. It was a male-only club, but women were allowed access to their own building.

During the 1950s, directors included Wilf Aston, a boss of Wolves and Walsall FC. The club reached the cup final in 1935 and 1949.

In the 1960s, in which teams won several titles, it was handed from directors to a committee of members.

Since then it has played a thriving part in the town's community but dwindling numbers and a lack of funds left its future in the balance.

No-one from Bilston Town was available for comment today.

Bowlers in Codsall recently won a reprieve from developers after it was sold as part of a package to Peter Maddox Associates.

Members of Codsall Bowling Club, built in 1921, were delighted after being left on tenterhooks for several months.

The Wolverhampton-based housebuilder won the contract to continue developing land next to the club.

By Becky Sharpe