Relief for Bowlers as Priory Club is Reprieved

A controversial proposal to close Bedford Priory Bowling Club has been shelved by the council following strong opposition. With 66 paid up members, Bedford Priory Bowling Club has the highest membership of any of the Bedford Borough Council Bowling Clubs.

This is just one of the reasons why it was surprising that the Executive of Bedford Borough Council were to discuss proposals that the club should be closed. Councillors concerned at the lack of consultation asked for the decision to be explained at the next meeting of the Borough Council Community and Culture PRD Committee on 4th September.

Chair of the Community and Culture Committee, Liberal Democrat Councillor Charles Royden said: "Located in Greyfriars, at the heart of the area scheduled for redevelopment, there were concerns that the bowling club was being shut down for the wrong reasons. The club has car parking facilities, an excellent pavilion with kitchen and toilet facilities. These are just some of the reasons why it is selected to host important County matches for the Bedfordshire Women's Bowling Association."

Concerned bowling club members welcomed Liberal Democrat councillors to meet with them, claiming not to have been met by any member of the Executive Committee themselves.

Cllr Royden added: "It seemed to us to be extremely odd to be closing down the club with the highest membership and income, which is why we decided to look at this decision. Now we hear that the club has been taken off the 'hit list' which is great news for common sense. Once again proper scrutiny by councillors, reported in the local press, has averted the council making a silly decision and allowed common sense to prevail. I wish to bowlers at Priory a long extension of their historic bowling club."