BOLTON Evening News Thursday, April 10: “Council improve courts as part of a £2 million revamp”.

Yet again we hear from Cllr Nick Peel, (executive member for environmental services) that: “There has to be investment in sports for children from an early age”, and “we are pumping capital into parks across borough.”

Why do we only hear from Cllr Nick Peel, when he is taking credit for spending money?

Cllr Peel can you please tell us why Bolton Council said that it would be closing bowling greens?

Bowls is such an important sport for all ages and abilities, and not only acts as a way to encourage health and fitness, it also provides all members of the community with an opportunity to socialise with like-minded people of all ages.

Bolton council has failed to realise that bowling clubs are vital community hubs across not only the town, but the country as a whole.

There is an economic value to this presence as it both encourages greater use of parks, and also helps to prevent and deter vandalism.

There is strong evidence from other local authorities that, where bowling greens and pavilions have been closed, they have often been vandalised and a spiral of decline affecting the whole park can begin as the public sees evidence of neglect, and are deterred from using the park, which in turn encourages further vandalism.

Bowling is one of the nation’s most popular pastimes and the bowling green has long been part of the fabric of our towns and villages. We need to ensure that parks and amenities are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations of all age groups, not just the young.

Jeff Armstrong UKIP Candidate Farnworth