Defiant Castle Point Bowls Club is revamping its plans for a state-of-the-art new clubhouse after missing out on a £150,000 national lottery grant.

Determined - project manager George Cripps looks at plans for the the new clubhouse at Castle Point Bowls Club Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

The club, which had planned a £206,000 building in Woodside Park, Benfleet, has pledged not to be defeated after being turned down for the large injection of cash.

Instead, it is devising a more modest £100,000 scheme, hunting for other grant possibilities and launching a major local appeal to try to raise the money.

Project manager George Cripps admitted his frustration over the refusal, claiming Castle Point was often overlooked for lottery funding.

He said: "There were 102 applications from all over the country for this money amounting to £34m altogether, but there was only £8.8m available for distribution.

"I find it very annoying because Castle Point is one of the areas with the lowest number of consents for lottery grants.

"We put in a very good application and the council was 100 per cent behind us. We thought we had a very good case."

The club's current building is now suffering from subsidence and urgently needs replacing.

Anyone who can help the club towards its target for a new building is urged to contact Mr Cripps on 01268 753450.

Published Tuesday July 20, 2004

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