Club Story: Scotland's Climate Week 2023 - Corstorphine BC
To mark Scotland’s Climate Week 2023, we are highlighting different initiatives from throughout the Scottish bowling community. Next up is Corstorphine Bowling Club in Edinburgh, who have plans to install solar panels to their clubhouse roof in the near future.
Like the majority of bowling clubs, Corstorphine BC are always looking to recruit new members and connect with their local community through various different programmes and membership incentives. In 2023, the club hosted yet another Try Bowls Day which saw 21 people attend and try the sport for the first time, resulting in 12 trial memberships and five full new members so far. The club will look to continue focusing on membership recruitment in 2024 and beyond.
On the green, the clubs existing members have had a very successful season competing in numerous competitions such as Edinburgh Bowling Association county ties, Edinburgh Bowling League and East of Scotland Bowling Association events. Chris Bentley, Faye Stevens and Stuart Campbell also all qualified for the 2023 Bowls Scotland National Championships from the club in the Ladies Singles, Ladies Over 55 Singles and Gents Singles. A unique achievement for any club to have three members qualify in three separate singles disciplines in the same year.
Focusing on sustainability, we spoke to Club Secretary, David Sutherland, who explained more on the clubs plans: “We are investigating the installation of solar panels to future proof the clubs energy supply and reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible, in line with current thinking.
“Our electricity usage is heaviest in the summer months when the sun is shining the most, so photovoltaic (PV) is the obvious choice. We have been protected by a supply contract running to 2024 which has kept our current costs down, but these will rise significantly when that expires. Producing and storing PV electricity will help keep these as low as possible.
“Although no external funding has yet been sought, we will do so if grants are available. However even if they are not, we feel this is an appropriate use for the COVID-19 grants previously given to the club. Planning permission will be required as we are situated in a conservation area.”
A huge thanks to David and the club for sharing their exciting plans for the future! For more information on Corstorphine BC, please visit: https://www.corstorphinebowlingclub.co.uk/
Bowls Scotland are currently working towards our 5-year sustainability plan after completing the University of the West Scotland’s Carbon Champions course in 2022. We are encouraged to see our clubs being proactive when it comes to how we collectively reduce our carbon footprint as a sport. Read more details here: https://www.bowlsscotland.com/news/bowls-scotland-commit-to-working-towards-5-year-sustainability-plan