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Ystrad Mynach Bowls club anger over “unplayable” bowling green

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 09:10, Friday April 26th, 2019.
Last updated: 09:12, Friday April 26th, 2019

Club Secretary Keith Godsall, left, with Plaid Cymru councillor Martyn James

Members of Ystrad Mynach Bowls Club claim they will be unable to play home games this season due to the condition of their green.

The club, which was established in 1927 and has nearly 50 members, will instead play their home games at the greens in Gelligaer and Gilfach.

The season started in April and will run until August.

Club Secretary Keith Godsall, who has been a member of the club for 18 years, said: “The bowling green is unplayable. It used to be the best bowling green in the valley.

The condition of the bowling green in Ystrad Mynach

“Bowls is a sport for all ages. If people can’t play, what will they do? It keeps a lot of people active.”

The bowling facilities, which are in Ystrad Mynach Park, are managed by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s parks department.

Members of Ystrad Mynach Bowls Club

Cllr Alan Angel, who represents Ystrad Mynach, said: “In all fairness, the green is in a bad state.

“The club contacted me so I’ve emailed the council for help. The green is unplayable.”

Cllr Martyn James, who also represents Ystrad Mynach, said: “I feel the community has been let down.

“We spoke to the council and they said it was going to be done.

“It puts our integrity as councillors at the forefront when things promised by officers are not completed.”

Cllr James added: “This is another example of how communities in Caerphilly have been let down by the authority.”

However, since Caerphilly Observer spoke to Mr Godsall, Cllr Angel and Cllr James, the council has started work to address the problems with the green.

The club are now hopeful they can return to their green next season.

A Caerphilly County Borough spokesperson said: “The dry and hot conditions last summer impacted all our bowling sites across the county borough and the grass surfaces did not have time to recover before autumn/winter.

“The council has worked hard to reinstate the condition of the pitches and positive results are now being seen as the grass starts to actively grow again.”

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