By Katherine Turner
Stanningley Park Crown Green Bowling Club is going from strength to strength after securing an investment of almost £40,000 from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The money came as part of a climate change initiative to improve the sustainability of community spaces.
Further funding for winter activities such as shuffleboard and craft and gardening clubs were funded by a grant from Love Leeds Parks as part of The Heritage Fund.
The funds have seen the much-loved club’s members increase from 12 to around 70.
The secretary of Stanningley Bowls Club, Alyssa Randell told WLD: “The funding application was led by one of our committee members, Paul Leonard, whose dedication was instrumental to the project’s success.
“He took on the role of project manager, spending hundreds of hours on site preparing the clubhouse ahead of the April season. Many other members also gave their time voluntarily, which was key to delivering the project in such a tight timeframe.”
The funding has transformed the club with the installation of solar panels, triple-glazed windows and doors, security shutters and additional roof insulation.
Alyssa added: “As a result, the clubhouse is now a year-round community hub. In addition to bowling, we host darts, shuffleboard, craft and gardening groups, as well as regular coffee mornings throughout the winter months.
“This has provided a much-needed space for people to connect.”
Farsley resident Karen Uttley joined the club in 2025 after her partner sadly passed away.
Karen says that the club and its members gave her a new lease of life: “The benefits of meeting people and playing bowls, which is good exercise and great for mental health, I go to watch quite a few games and like to help with the marking and socialising.
“The improvements to the club are excellent as we now have somewhere to go in the winter. We’ve had craft mornings, cheese and nibbles, quiz nights and darts, doms and shuffle board afternoons. As well as helping out with keeping the ground tidy.”
During the bowling season (April to September), the club is open most days and evenings. If the gate is open, visitors are always welcome to come in and watch or have a chat.
People of all ages are welcomed to get involved, there are social bowling sessions on Friday evenings. Competitive bowling is available with 13 teams including an over 55’s, ladies team, teams for beginners and for more experienced bowlers.
To keep up to date with events you can visit the Facebook page or find more information about membership on their website.
The club is always happy to welcome new members, people who are interested in bowling or simply looking to get involved socially.
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