Bowls Club At Risk

PC or Laptop running SLOW? Got A Virus? Need help?

Friendly and professional IT service for Mac or Windows, call Joe Richards on Telephone: 01953 718421 Mobile: 07928 326008

Email: help@bailiwickit.com Made to Measure 1/8th Advert 2020.qxp_Layout 1 11/0 Website: www.bailiwickit.com

MADE TO MEASURE

Curtain Making • Roman Blinds • Cushions

Free measuring service • Fabric samples available

The future of the G.W Staniforth Bowls Club in Thetford is currently in doubt after their landlord increased the rent by 1200%. The last remaining Bowls Club in Thetford have long paid a small rent at £300 per annum and offered to increase this to £1000. But the Club’s landlord, the G.W Staniforth Trust have recently insisted on a new rate of £3,950 per annum. The club, who were founded in 1951 and have around 55 members held an animated Emergecy General Meeting in July at which the new rent proposal was discussed. Club Secretary John Wright said: “This has come at the wrong time for many of our members. We are only just recovering from Covid both as a club and individually – we have an older demographic who need a bit of confidence before a return to a full social scene again, not a huge rent rise”.

Curtains shortened from £25 Collection and delivery service available Over 30 years experience FriendlyThetford based service Call Dena on 07842 110240

CYNTHIA DELLA HOY’S CROXTON CHARITY

CHARITY NUMBER 1148374 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The Trustees are able to make grants from their retained funds to charities and other organisations benefitting the communities of Thetford, the villages of Croxton, Kilverstone and East Wretham. Charities, community groups and other organizations within the area outlined who wish to seek assistance from this charity for themselves or on behalf of another, may request a grant application form from the charity’s secretary.

G.W. Staniforth (third from left on bottom row), pictured with members of his bowls club in 1935, gifted Kings House and the gardens to the people of Thetford - he was a passionate bowls player. © David Osborne - A Century Remembered The Bowls Club pay for all the upkeep of the bowls rink as well as clubhouse repairs and decoration, inside and out. Members heard that the club have a bank balance of around £10,000 with estimated outlay of £7,000 minimum expected in September.

Wright added: “The financial reality is subs would need to rise from the current £50 a year to £150. With a cost-of-living crisis in full swing, this is completely unfeasible. We expected a rise – but this seems punitive. If the club does fold Thetford would be the biggest town in England without a green. After 71 years it would be such a loss.”

For more information please email: cdhcc2012@gmail.com

You can sign the petition to support the G.W Staniforth Bowls Club by using this link: https://chng.it/HDzkZKD2YW A hard copy petition is available at the Staniforth Bowls Club and also at Leaping Hare in Thetford Town Centre