A BOWLING club that has suffered a ‘nightmare’ year after being hit by flooding and coronavirus restrictions will be back on the green next month – with a little help from their friends.

Members of Brimfield and Little Hereford Bowling Club are celebrating the near-completion of a new disabled toilet, achieved with the help of a £3,000 grant from Severn Trent.

Volunteers, under the guidance of local builder Dave Cole, have been working to protect the Haynall Lane club and green from floods as well as carrying out general painting and decorating work.

A new kitchen area has been added in the snug with a refreshment hatch overlooking the green ahead of members returning to the club in April.

“The existing toilet was in a precarious and dilapidated state and the timing was perfect to relocate the toilet and provide a new purpose-built building,” club chairwoman Jennie Cole said.

“Club members have all worked extremely hard and we are in great shape for the opening of our green in April, with all the relevant Covid restrictions in place.

“We still have the same number of members we had before all this which is amazing and they have supported the club through the work – digging, mixing concrete and helping out. It’s been fantastic.

“We are very grateful for Severn Trent’s generous support.”

It has been several months since members have been able to play but with Government guidelines allowing clubs to resume action at the end of March, that wait is almost over.

“It’s been an absolute nightmare year or so for us because we were hitting by flooding last February which knocked the clubhouse out of action,” added Jennie.

“We managed to get Sport England funding to sort out the damage caused by the flooding but we couldn’t do the work because the Covid problem had hit.

“We finally got back on to the green in June but we had to restrict it to 18 players on the green at one time and everybody was absolutely fantastic with the Covid distancing.

“The committee took it in turns to run sessions and disinfect the green – and we managed to pick up new bowlers during that time too.”

The green opens to members on April 3 with an official re-opening earmarked for April 17.

“It will be quite a change for bowls, as it will be for cricket I imagine – it will be a case of you play your game for a couple of hours and then you go home, like some other sports,” added Jennie.

“You can’t have a sit-down tea any more because of the restrictions so it will be a case of a pint and a sandwich! We will have to adjust.”

The club is desperate for patio tables and chairs – anyone who can help, or is interested in joining the club should visit http://www.brimfieldandlittleherefordbc.co.uk/ for more details.