Bowlers in Cripplegate Park are set to sit a little more comfortably thanks to the generosity of contractors Mears and local landlord Worcester Community Housing (WCH).
Together they worked to refurbish all 18 of the Cripplegate Park bowling club's benches, then followed up the gesture with an official bench opening, BBQ and bowls match. The match saw volunteers from Mears and WCH going head to head with players from the club and also tenants who live in the three high rise blocks that Mears are currently working to transform.
Mears Project Manager Dave Ludlow said "When the Consortium of Cripplegate Bowlers contacted Mears asking for help to refurbish their club, the team were only too happy to help. We are working to make a difference to the local community and supporting our neighbouring organisations."
Secretary for The Consortium of Cripplegate Bowlers Pat Stokes said "Because we don't receive any regular funding, it is down to the club to pay for any repairs. Therefore Mears' kind donation of the refurbishment of our benches means a great deal to us. We are used every day by local people who will enjoy being able to sit on the new benches and enjoy watching the bowling matches taking place here.'
Mike Rothwell, Head of Property Investment at WCH said: "Many of our high rise tenants spend their spare time at the Cripplegate Bowling Club and thanks to the bench refurbishment they now have somewhere to sit back, relax and enjoy the park to the full."
The bench refurbishment and BBQ was just one of the packed programme of events that the Mears team have been hosting in a bid to get to know those who live in the St. Johns high rise flats. Coffee mornings, bingo afternoons and information events have all taken place alongside mock rescues by the local Fire and Rescue service, school assemblies and site visits.