Green with envy

Jun 19 2003 Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

BOWLS: A LEADING Ellesmere Port bowler has slammed the condition of council-owned greens in the town.

And he claims the poor playing surfaces are forcing many clubs to join rival leagues in other boroughs.

Phil Gibbs, of the Stanney Lane Club, said: 'I've been bowling in Ellesmere Port for 40 years and the municipal greens are in the worst state I've ever known.

'Players in the town are having to put up with long grass, uneven surfaces and one green even had daisies growing on it. It's an absolute disgrace and I've come across better lawns in Ellesmere Port gardens than some of the greens we're forced to play on.

'Council greens in Birkenhead, New Brighton and Bebington are all like carpets and it's no surprise that lots of Ellesmere Port clubs are defecting to play in their leagues.

'The standard of play in the town is as strong as ever but our top players are embarrassed when outsiders come to Ellesmere Port and say that bowling is dead here because our greens are rubbish.'

Groundsman Mal Randell, who was praised for his work on the Stanney Lane green for Sunday's Cheshire Merit final, is also unhappy that his good example is not being followed at other bowling venues in the town.

He said: 'A green must be looked after all year round and I start with early-season preparation work to scarify the surface and regularly weed, feed and cut.

'Whitby Park used to be known as the Wembley of bowls but our council greens are nowhere near the standard of their counterparts in either Wirral or Wrexham.'

Borough council parks and recreation officer John Griffith said: 'Our greens are cut three times a week, weather permitting, and regular spot weeding also takes place. Periodically, we do need to carry out more thorough weed treatments and these take two to three weeks to take effect, so we have to plan carefully around the bowling fixtures.'

He added: 'Sometimes bowlers notice a difference in the condition of the greens during the weeks between treatment being applied and actually fully working.'

* What do you think of our council greens? Contact Pioneer sports editor Christopher Beesley on 0151 356 2494 or e-mail pioneer@chronicle.u-net.com