2 days ago
Village club is a real local treasure for the community
A club in Heaton is welcoming new members in a bid to raise funds for new accessible facilities on site.
Nestled at the end of Waddington Road, Heaton Village Club is a local treasure that aims to foster community and friendships in the area.
The club, which was established in 1897, has revealed plans to make its clubhouse and pavilion more accessible and user-friendly through a new side extension that would enable wheelchair users to access the toilet more easily.
Heaton Village Club (Image: Leah Collins)
Left to right: Ray McCarthy, Project Lead, Janice Drake, Membership Secretary, George Waters, Club President and Andrew Minors, Club Chairman. (Image: Leah Collins) Permission was granted for the clubhouse to have a single-storey side extension built to provide a new entrance lobby and reception room back in 2022, and it is hoped £35,000 can be raised to bring the plans to life.
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To help fund their improvements, the club has launched a crowdfunding campaign, which has been backed by local grants from the ward fund and via BoltonCVS.
Club chairman Andrew Minors said: 'The club already boasts some great facilities including a bowling green, two full-sized snooker tables which are over 100 years old, two bridge clubs, Tai Chi classes, a book club, table tennis, a Canasta group and much more.
The downstairs area functions as a communal space and kitchen. (Image: Leah Collins) 'There's also a kitchen area, social spaces and an outdoor pavilion.
'We currently have around 150 members, there's a mix of members. It's a big part of Heaton's community.
'We also work alongside three local schools to teach them how to bowl, we work alongside as many as we can to really involve ourselves in the local community. Just this morning, we had around 30 children here playing.'
The club boasts around 150 members, including those who come to bowl. (Image: Leah Collins) The club recently welcomed a special visit from Bolton's deputy mayor Cllr Andy Morgan and Cllr Anne Galloway, ward councillor of Heaton, Lostock and Chew Moor.
The invaluable community asset has also played a huge role in connecting members of the community to one another.
Volunteers help to run the club and take care of the site, including the bowling green.
The club recently received a visit from ward Cllr Anne Galloway and Deputy Mayor of Bolton Cllr Andy Morgan. (Image: Cllr Andy Morgan) Members play social and competitive bowling from April to September and run a team in the Bolton Municipal league.
Beyond regular activities, the club's rooms are also available to hire for community and private events.
Membership prices for the club range from £38 to £125 annually, with more details available on the club website.
In 2022, the clubhouse had its toilet facilities renovated, including the installation of an accessible lift for wheelchair users.
Club president George Waters said: 'The club was established in 1887, and the building was built in 1891. The property was donated to the club in 1934, which was my year of birth.
'Members here have joined as individuals but have become friends, people join and come to play bowls or snooker, whatever it is. There is a sense of community.'
Andrew added: 'It can be a lifeline to people; we have members here from the local area who come here to get out and make it a bit of a social occasion.
The club's leadership is hoping to welcome in more members. (Image: Leah Collins) 'The club has two bowling teams now, we've had to create a second one to accommodate for the extra members.
'We are trying to modernise using the skills that people have in order to pool together, we want to reach a bigger audience on social media to get more interest in membership.
Inside, the club also has two large snooker tables, each over 100 years old. (Image: Leah Collins) 'The club doesn't sell any alcohol, but there's always events going on – in the past we've had Christmas-themed events, ABBA nights.
"We want people to make it their own and have fun.'
Cllr Andy Morgan, deputy Mayor of Bolton said: "From Macmillan Coffee Mornings to christenings, it's a versatile space full of character and community spirit.
"To help fund their improvements, Heaton Village Club has launched a crowdfunding campaign and we were delighted to support them by offering guidance on accessing local grants from our ward fund and through the BoltonCVS.
"New members are always welcome, and more information, including how to get involved or support their plans, can be found on their website:
"Let's get behind and support this invaluable community asset, a true hidden gem in our ward."
Those interested in joining the club are advised to get in contact directly via its website.
