Since the reformation of an active Bowling Green Community Group in recent years, the area of open space known locally as “the Bowly” has continued to go from strength to strength...
Working in partnership with the Falmouth Town Council, the Group strives to upgrade and enhance the play area in a way that will benefit a wide range of users of all ages.

The year ended in 2005 with a Tree Dressing event with free non-alcoholic mulled juice, mince pies and cakes. In addition, there was traditional acoustic music befitting the occasion and a display of clowning and fire-stick juggling from Swamp Circus artistes. The Tree Dressing event is a very established tradition throughout Europe and is a non-denomination occasion. It celebrates winter and nature and the passing of the year.

2006 saw a complete refit of a new outer gate and inner self-closing safety gate at the Bowly. This has enhanced the general appearance of the front entrance and improved security of the site at night when the gate is locked. At the same time, the front entrance area was re-surfaced with tarmac, reducing the incidence of standing water by improving drainage after heavy rain. The children’s safety barrier on the pavement was also reconfigured to help reduce the risk of small children running out in front of cars whilst also making it easier for disabled access and also parents with buggies or prams.

In June 2006, a mini-Funday was organised to celebrate the installation of the new swings (and the front gate) after a prolonged period of absence following a Health & Safety inspection when they were condemned. The new swings are of an extremely high quality and expected to last the rigours of many years use. At the same time, the ground surrounding the swings was revamped with a rubber safety surface, complying with the current strict British Standard regulations.

In September 2006, following the success of the previous year, the main Funday event was held in the Bowly with the usual range of live music, stalls, refreshments, and sideshows. The musicians provided their contributions for free and as before, the standard was of a very professional level. The day was blessed with fantastic weather with sunshine throughout. Entrance into the Bowly on such days is always free with the hope that visitors will make a donation and also spend money at the refreshment tent and other stalls that are seeking to try and raise funds for the Bowly.

The current focus of the Bowling Green Community Group is to raise funds for a complete revamp of equipment in the toddler area including the surrounding fence and safety surface. The cost is quoted as being approximately £16,000, perhaps a little more. However, we have secured nearly £9000 and are currently seeking donations and grants from any appropriate source. Progress to date is slow but every effort will continue until success is achieved.

The Bowly continues to be locked up every night and as the summer months approach, this will gradually extend as the weeks pass and the evenings draw out. Dusk is the target time, heralded by the streetlights coming on. In the past, there have been some minor incidents of misbehaviour but certainly not to the degree that have sometimes been reported in the local press. This is a matter that continues to be closely monitored by members of the Bowling Green Community Group in liaison with the Town Council and the Community Police Officer.

The Bowly was first donated to the town of Falmouth over 300 years ago in the early part of the 18th century for the sole purpose of recreation and relaxation. That probably makes it the oldest designated place of recreation in the County of Cornwall maybe even the whole country. It is therefore a crucial and valuable asset to the town as a whole and for the local community in particular where there are many houses without much garden space for playing or sitting. The Bowly is an open space that needs to be used and celebrated as an important amenity for all age groups throughout the whole year. The Bowling Green Community Group will continue to strive towards that goal.