Cranmore Bowling Club received a new defibrillator from local councillors Wayne Dixon and Emma Pogson-Golden on Wednesday 8 April 2025.
The club received support from London Hearts, the UK’s leading defibrillator charity, and councillors topped up with a grant of MICE money.
The club lost their old defibrillator when it was broken into last year, but with two players dying on bowling greens in Leeds last year, they were keen to replace it.
Whilst younger members, including children, are encouraged to take up the sport, the club’s members tend to be from an older demographic. Two of their oldest members, John Hodgson, 93 and Harry Gillett, 91, have being playing here for 50 years.
As well as providing gentle exercise bowling has a social side, a chance to meet new friends and chat over a cup of tea. As such it’s important in combatting isolation.
If you would like a chance to try bowling, Cranmore is taking part in the Big Bowls Weekend later this month. The club will be open on Saturday 24 May from 12-4pm for anyone to come along and give it a go.
Other local clubs taking part in the Big Bowls Weekend include, Cross Flatts Park, Middleton Park and South Leeds Conservative Club in Beeston. You can find details of dates and times at www.bowlsbigweekend.com
Barry Baldwin the club secretary said:
“It’s a really good place for people to come and it’s quite relaxing, well some games are relaxing and some aren’t!”
Cllr Wayne Dixon (SDP, Middleton Park) said:
“It’s clubs like this that sadly need defibrillators most, with a lot of elderly people playing. We wanted to ensure that they can play safely. I would encourage people to get out to their local bowling club and take up the sport and bring your kids down too.”
Cranmore Bowling Club is at the end of Cranmore Drive and is open every Wednesday evening, 6:30-8:30pm for practice and play league games on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For mor information contact Barry Baldwin on 07889 842351.
Defibrillators can be used to help save someone’s life if they are in cardiac arrest, that is their heart has stopped beating. If you find someone who is unconscious, unresponsive and not breathing, you should call 999, start CPR and find your nearest defibrillator. The 999 operator will talk you through what you need to do.
Photo: Cllrs Pogson-Golden and Dixon present the defibrillator to John Hodgson and Harry Gillett
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