Renewed interest saves Oswestry bowling green

Oswestry's bowling green will not be turned into a play area in the near future after renewed interest in it. Oswestry Town Council has been consulting with the public on the plan.

It is trying to find out whether to create a new play area in Cae Glas Park or to improve one already there.

Three suggestions were offered up for where more facilities could be placed. These included upgrading the current play park, building one on the bowling green or building one on a grassy area of the park.

Councillors recently met to discuss the suggestions for the project and decided not to use the bowling green due to an increase of usage.

Last week it was revealed the green had seen an uptake of users thanks to an Oswestry resident offering lessons in the sport.

Council figures showed the number of people playing on the green had doubled. Use during last year's April to July season saw 91 juniors, but this year's season welcomed 188 juniors.

Clerk David Preston said: "We are looking at various options for the park. We have taken the bowling green off the list as there is renewed interest in it. The council will not be putting a play area on the green.

"We are looking at three sites with the preference to extend the existing play area. The option of bringing equipment on to the grass area has concerns of health and safety."

It had been discussed that the green would be taken away but after the lessons started the council decided to give it a 12-month grace period before any decision is taken on what to do with it.

Cash for the play area facility will be handed over by Shropshire Council to Oswestry Town Council which, through the Cae Glas trust, runs the park.