Historical gem now has even brighter future

BOWLING CLUB FEARED TO BE AT RISK HAS BEEN MADE A LISTED BUILDING

- NEAL KEELING

AT a glance it resembles a well preserved mansion with immaculate gardens in Cheshire. But it is actually surrounded by an urban drone of vehicles, next to the Metrolink, and passed by hordes on their way to watch Manchester United and Lancashire and England play just up the road. Yet it provides an oasis of calm.

It has survived two world wars, retains a loyal membership of 200 and the clunk of wood on wood has echoed around its green for almost 150 years. Now the striking black and white pavilion of Old Trafford Bowling Club, with its timbered clubhouse and pristine green, has been given Grade II-listed status.

As reported by the M.E.N. two years ago, there were fears it could be at risk as the entire area is set for large scale regeneration.

Campaign group Save Britain's Heritage launched an application to have the Talbot Road building listed. Marcus Binney, executive president of SAVE, said: "This is a gloriously unexpected gem of English architecture, an almost miraculously intact survival that continues to flourish. It is a national treasure which deserves to be a listed building"

SAVE's listing application had the blessing of the club owners and also gained support from historian and leading authority on sporting heritage, Simon Inglis.

Dating from 1877, and designed by Manchester architect and surveyor, John Bowden, the ornate structure was the largest amateur sporting pavilion in the country when built. Now it has been added to the National Heritage List by the Department for Culture and Media, following advice from Historic England.