Ayrshire bowling club bucking national trend whilst bouncing back from setbacks

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Kilmarnock bowling club have been bucking the national trend – all while bouncing back from setbacks. Northwest Bowling Club have almost tripled their membership numbers in recent years, with many other clubs struggling to attract new members.

The Wardneuk Drive club hit the headlines back in March when the Standard reported that the hedge outside was set on fire. That, alongside Covid, has ensured it’s been a challenging period for the club, but they’ve managed to come out of those situations stronger and they are now thriving.

President Gordon Mabon told the Kilmarnock Standard: “It has been a good season, it was tough coming out of Covid trying to do well. “About four years ago the club was struggling, we only had 37 members, but over the last three years we’ve increased that up to around 100 roughly.

The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now on iOS and Android. “We also bring a lot of clubs in to help the community, and that’s helped us get new bowlers in too as it’s extra exposure. “We’ve won three out of the five Grade A titles which is big, there won’t be many clubs who have also won the Hospital Cup and Glasgow/Ayrshire Cup in the one year. “It has been a huge achievement for the club, it’s come on leaps and bounds. “We have been bucking the trend that’s true, we had the council asking us how we are able to do it. “My motto is that it’s a non-profitable organisation