Police called to bowls club row

The row shows no sign of being resolved

A row over fees at a bowls club escalated when police were called to a protest on the green near Bristol.

Members of Northavon Bowls Club were locked out of their ground at Baileys Court by Bradley Stoke Town Council.

The council, which rents the ground to the club, wants to increase fees by some 50% to £2,300, and then 8% a year for the next four years.

The club said many of its 100 members were elderly and could not afford to pay the increased fees.

Secretary Margaret Thompson added that the club also maintained the green itself at a cost of £8,000 a year.

About 50 members turned up on Sunday for the first game of the season.

Civil matter

Mrs Thompson said the chain locking them out had been cut and they did not know who was responsible, so they went in to play a game.

"About seven policemen came," she said.

"We made a peaceful protest and left. Everyone thought the number of police was over the top."

The council has argued that the club - many of whose members it claims live outside Bradley Stoke - is heavily subsidised in comparison with others who use the facilities.

Councillor Robert Jones said: "We think we have acted reasonably in the face of quite unreasonable behaviour.

"We are more than willing to negotiate and have been trying to for 12 months."

The club was served notice to quit in October and has been asked to remove its property by the end of April.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they had sent officers to reports of a break-in and criminal damage.

No arrests were made and resolution of the issue was now a civil matter, a spokesman said.