Club upgrade at Holmfirth

Club News

Holmfirth B.C.

Holmfirth & District Bowling Club held an open day on 1st August to mark the completion of the building of a new toilet block at the club. After receiving a donation from one of the clubs members, Nancy Battye in 2018 specifically to kick off the fundraising effort, grants were applied for and funds received from The National Lottery Community Fund and Holme Valley Parish Council to complete to project.

The original toilets, built when the club first opened in 1898 were past their best as well as being pretty inaccessible for anyone with mobility issues. The new toilet block includes a fully disabled access toilet meaning the club can now welcome back members who had become reluctant to attend previously, as well as any other visitors. Whilst the club has been closed over large parts of the last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, members were also kept busy on a major overhaul to the clubhouse, opening up the space, putting in new kitchen facilities and enlarging the seating area, so the event was also a great opportunity to show off the new facilities.

Guests at the event included the Mayor and Mayoress of Kirklees, Cllr Nigel Patrick and his wife Judith; Colne Valley MP, Jason McCartney, the chair of Holme Valley Parish Council, Cllr Michael Pogson; and of course Nancy Battye. Members took part in some social bowling before Mrs Battye, who was also confirmed as an Honorary Life Member of the club at the event, unveiled the plaque to mark the occasion. Ladies attending the event were presented with a white rose to commemorate Yorkshire Day.

Pat Whiteley, President at the club said ‘Without Nancy’s generous donation this project wouldn’t have got off the ground. We’ve been grateful also for the financial support from The National Lottery Community Fund and Holme Valley Parish Council. This event also gives us the opportunity to thank ADP Architecture and Design our architects and NDPA Construction our builders.’

‘The building you see before you today has been the collaborative effort of a number of our members as well – too many to name, but between them all they have transformed the clubhouse and the bowling green so that we are now being recognised in local leagues for our facilities, for our green and for our welcome.’

The club has a growing membership and recently held an open day to encourage people to give bowling a try, with approximately 30 people attending – membership is open to ladies and gentlemen for social and competitive bowling – anyone interested should just call in at the club.

Dawn Whiteley MBE