in-cumbria

MPs killed Bill – but fight still on

Last updated at 16:53, Wednesday, 18 July 2012

FURNESS MP John Woodcock is rolling out a new plan to protect threatened bowling greens.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

Crown green enthusiast Mr Woodcock has formed a new cross-party group of MPs to lobby for increased safeguards for greens after his parliamentary bill on the subject ran out of debating time in the House of Commons.

Mr Woodcock introduced the bill in 2010 after being approached by a band of Furness bowlers who were worried about the number of greens that had fallen victim to development.

The new all-party parliamentary group for lawn bowls held its first meeting last week and Mr Woodcock was elected to be its chair.

Speaking after a tournament at the King’s Head in Ulverston, called to mark its 180 years as a bowling green, Mr Woodcock said: “Bowling greens across the country remain under threat so I am stepping up the campaign to give bowlers more protection.

“They may have killed my bill, but I know that ministers will not be able to ignore my new cross-party group of MPs demanding help for greens.”

The group aims to build on the cross-party support that Mr Woodcock’s bill received and hopes to hold an inaugural event where bowlers from around the country can directly question ministers.

Longer-term plans include establishing an annual Commons v Lords bowls competition to help raise the profile of the sport in parliament.

King’s Head club official Colin Foster said: “We were very pleased to see John at our event and delighted he joined our team for the little tournament afterwards.

“There is no cloud hanging over our green at the moment because the pub is doing well with new managers.

“But pubs are shutting right, left and centre and there are a lot fewer of them in Ulverston than there was five or 10 years ago.

“If in the future the green was threatened with closure, we would have protection from the measures that John is fighting to put in place and we could raise money to buy it.”

The MP also took part in an intergenerational bowls event on Friday at the Lakes Leisure Centre with 10 pupils from Ulverston Victoria High School, which aimed to improve the relationship between different age groups.