A historic bowling club – where two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Darren Burnett is said to have first learned his craft – has folded amid dwindling memberships numbers.
Lochlands Bowling Club in Arbroath opened in 1808 and is where the talented outdoor world title winner began bowling.
Club president, Kevin Proctor said he was “heartbroken” as he confirmed the club could no longer keep going as membership numbers dwindled.
Speaking to The Courier he said the impact of Covid-19 had played its part as he reflected on the closure.
Kevin said he and a small group had worked “tirelessly” to keep the bowls club running in recent months.
‘Wish community could have pulled together to save the oldest club’
He said: “We’ve tried everything to save this club but it just wasn’t to be.
“I’ve been here 10 years and it’s heartbreaking that it’s come to this.
“I just wish the community could have pulled together to save the oldest club in Arbroath.
“It has been hard to keep going over the last few months and there is no doubt Covid-19 has played an impact.
“From a financial perspective we’ve been taking on the role of green-keepers to keep the costs down.
“Most recently we’d formed a partnership with Arbroath Harp (football) in 2020 as part of the efforts to save Lochlands.
“Even at the start of the bowls season (April) we’d try to get an open competition set-up but there was no interest.
“From having weeks where folk were unable to play in the past because the green was too busy to this.
“With that being said I don’t think there will be much hope of Lochlands returning as a bowling club.
“Whilst it’s devastating I’ve got many happy memories and hope the club house could still be used for other community purposes.
“I know the plan is now for Arbroath Harp to kick-on with keeping it up and running.”
New life into historic club
Arbroath Harp chairman and Lochlands Bowling Club treasurer, Joe Meldrum is now focused on preserving the club house for multi-use .
He said: “I’m devastated that the oldest bowling club in the town has now closed.
“For boys like Kevin I’m saddened it has come to this.
“This was Darren Burnett who is playing bowls at the Commonwealth Games first club.
“Until fairly recently active member were competing for trophies in the last few years.
“Whilst there were ten members on paper only five of them were actively using it.
“We’ve tried various things to revive the fortunes of the green being used, reduction in membership prices for new members for example.
“There was some additional interest after the first lockdown but as other contact sports came back into play interest dwindled.
“Whilst the green won’t be actively used for the time being we are looking to provide a multipurpose use of the club house.
“It would be great to get the green back up and running for bowls but there just doesn’t seem to be the appetite there sadly.”
