MAYFIELD Park bowls club has been around for over 60 years and really has really flourished during that time.

When the original club house was destroyed by fire many years ago the council built a new one and do a great job looking after the green and surrounding park.

We as members have always looked after the inside of the building, cleaning it and decorating when needed.

We also take turns manning the green from 10.30am until 7.30pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday and Sunday we close it at 4.30pm.

This is to enable the public to try their hand at this enjoyable, sociable sport at a small cost which then goes to the council.

Sadly Covid has put paid to a lot of sports including bowls.

Last year we were able to play on alternate rinks with all the bowls England guidelines observed.

This season as lockdown eases we were looking forward to being able to meet up with friends and enjoy bowls once again.

The gentleman's agreement has always been that the council have the clubhouse to use from September until April but since 2019 we have been unable to use it because vital work on their canteen and rest room has not been done or even started so consequently we cannot resume normal play.

The majority of our members have had both their vaccines and are sensible enough to observe the safeguarding rules.

It does seem as though we are being punished for an issue that is not of our making.

Have they not considered our mental health as many of us have been unable to see friends and family for over a year.

At the start of our season the council did say they would get temporary cabins but they changed their minds.

We have no shelter to protect us from the elements.

All we want is our club room back so we can get back to some kind of normality no other bowls club have the problems we have.

Disgruntled bowler

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