Ellesmere Bowling Club benefits from LJC money

Having completed their Local Joint Committee (LJC) project to replace a lighting pillar on their top green, officials from Ellesmere Bowling Club invited local Shropshire Councillor Ann Hartley to view the project.

Ellesmere LJC awarded the group £1,000 toward the £2,663 project to replace a wooden lighting pillar with a metal fabricated column with a base hinge.  The club, which has 93 members that include 11 teams, who compete in 4 local leagues, operates from a club house which dates back to the 1700s.  Members and visitors enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the area.  The group has a growing youth membership that benefit from advice and guidance from the senior members.

Ted Formstone, Chairman of Ellesmere Bowling Club, said:

“Having this grant has set us on mission to reduce our energy costs by installing fewer, more efficient floodlights on each column.  We intend to do more fundraising and eventually replace other pillars as and when we need to.  It also allowed us to use our reserve funds in vital improvements to our access for people with disabilities..  Being at such a beautiful spot in Ellesmere comes at a cost of having quite a climb to the top green. We installed a new handrail to help access when climbing the final flight of steps.  Without the LJC grant we would not have been able to do the work until next year.”

Ann Hartley said:

“I was delighted to come to the bowling club and meet the people that benefited from the LJC funding.  The club offers local people of all ages opportunities to get outside and active. This is one of Ellesmere’s hidden treasures and I am delighted that the LJC supported this worthwhile cause.”