The new and more efficient grass cutting and green rolling machinery was funded by the South Lanarkshire Council Renewable Energy Fund and Hagshaw Hill Windfarm Trust.

It is hoped that the high green-keeping standards will retain and grow the existing membership and ensure the survival of the club into the future.

Coalburn Bowling Green has a long history in the former mining village, with the green dug out by hand by resident miners and opened in 1951. The club originally hosted Coal Board tournaments and was once used to park a WWII tank.

Throughout its history and to the present day, the club has provided an important space for relaxation, exercise and socialising, especially amongst the older residents in the community. It is anticipated that the improved green-keeping facilities will attract more members to the 40 squared yards green and interest has already been shown from players as young as six.

Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “South Lanarkshire Council are delighted to support this community facility through the Renewable Energy Fund. Facilities like this are vital within rural communities where access to services can be limited and are especially important as part of our post-Covid recovery and in tackling loneliness and isolation.”

Charlie Hunter, Coalburn Bowling Green, said, “Thanks to the new state of the art machinery purchased through South Lanarkshire Council Renewable Energy Fund and Hagshaw Hill Windfarm Trust, Coalburn Bowling Club is able to keep up the impeccable green-keeping standards that it is known for. We attracted Scotland’s Bowling team to practise at it during the 2014 Commonwealth Games. We are so proud of the careful upkeep provided by our tireless team of volunteers on a daily basis, that ensures the Club’s positive national reputation.”

Visitors are welcome to play their first game for free and the club encourages anyone with an interest to do so. Membership to Coalburn Bowling Green is £110 annually and includes locker facilities in Coalburn Miners Welfare. Children under 16 go free. The Bowling Green is open 10am – 8pm, April – October. Indoor carpet bowls are played every Friday through the winter months.

South Lanarkshire Council Renewable Energy Fund grants are available for capital projects to constituted community groups, Trusts, charities and public organisations offering a service benefitting communities. Communities benefitting from the funding should live within a 10km radius of a participating renewable energy development.

Find out more by going to the Renewable Energy Fund page on the council website, or by contacting the South Lanarkshire Council Funding and Development Team by email. 

A number of local community benefits are also available, including Coalburn, Douglas and Glespin Community Fund, Orit Cumberhead Community Fund (Lesmahagow and Coalburn), Dalquhandy Coalburn Fund, ScottishPower Renewables' Hagshaw Hill Windfarm Trust (Coalburn, Douglas, Glespin and surrounding area), South Lanarkshire Council Renewable Energy Fund and Spirit of Lanarkshire Wind Energy Coop (SOLWEC) Community Fund. Microgrants are also available from Community Councils/Tenants and Residents Associations.