04/03/05 - Pensioners Bowled Over

A stand-off between Swindon council and a plucky band of indoor bowling pensioners is at an end.

Swindon council threatened to introduce massive price rises for pensioners playing bowls at the Oasis Leisure Centre.

A group of pensioners from Haydon Wick kicked up a fuss over the price rise and the council was forced to rethink.

Now the bowlers have been offered a small price rise with the proviso that they stay behind after their sessions and help encourage youngsters learn about the sport.

The pensioners will now be paying £2.75 for a two-hour session for six people, an increase of only 55p.

In December when they turned up to play bowls they found a notice informing them the price for over 75s would increase from £1.10 per hour to £8.10.

Founder member Rex Barnett, 66, of Calder Close in Greenmeadow, is delighted. He said: "We knew the original price was ridiculously low but we've done a deal with the council.

"We've accepted an increase of 55p per session and agreed to assist any schoolchildren who want to take up the game."

The compromise appears to have been reached with extraordinary ease.

Mr Barnett, a retired sales manager, said: "I went down to the civic offices. Council leader Mike Bawden put me in touch with Justin Tomlinson, and we made an appointment with John Short, director of Swindon Services.

Mr Barnett said: "We accepted their proposal. It's brilliant. We've got a really good deal and we're putting something back into the community."

Coun Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads) lead member for Swindon Services, said: "We were able to work out a very positive arrangement that helps the bowlers and the Oasis.

"I'm doing all I can to improve the services we offer, and I'm delighted we were able to sort something out."

Coun Tomlinson believes there will be no problem making the bowlers keep to their word.

He said: "They will not have to stay behind every time they bowl, but every so often we will arrange things with school groups.

"The bowlers are as keen as we are on doing this because they want to get new blood into the sport. This was a crucial part of our negotiations. We have to do more to encourage people to have healthy lifestyles and take part in activities such as bowls."