It has been a challenging year for the Bowling Green Community Group, after a couple of high profile and successful years...
However,the last year has resulted in little activity or developments.

Energy within the management group has peaked and new committed people need to become part of the group, to work with remaining key players to support the regeneration of the Bowly and the continuation of annual community events.

The group needs to remain focused on what they can realistically achieve as an organisation and deliver outcomes, which are beneficial for the Bowly and the local community.

In January we launched our fundraising campaign for the Toddler area and displayed the visual indicator, to illustrate the need to raise money. At the time we were optimistic that we could raise £20,000. however, our efforts have been weak and money has not been forthcoming, except for the funds already donated by the town council and income generated through ice cream sales at Gyllyngvase Café.

Whilst in recent years we have organised well attended community events we failed this year to actually have the annual fun day, due to poor co-ordination and lack of commitment from some members.

However, we did have celebrity endorsement of our work to improve the Bowly through the appearance of sports legend, Ian Wright playing football on the Bowly with local young people in April.

We also continue to successfully supervise the opening and closing of the Bowling Green and continue to meet as a group, although some people have clearly failed to understand the commitment required for being a management committee member for a community group.



If the Bowling Green Community Group is to be a functioning organisation, we need to reflect on what in my opinion has been an embarrassing year and support the following actions: -

· Improve local profile and recruit community supporters

· Maintain that events are realistic and achievable

· Develop collaborative working to enable increased capacity

· Improve group governance to enable aims to be achieved

· Focus on funding so we can deliver improvements

· Involve new people in the management of the organisation

· Arrange meetings at different venues and times

· Expand communication between members

It is also for the wider local community to endorse the work of the group, become champions for our cause and not expect a few people to take responsibility for the advancement and regeneration of what it is a popular and well used community space.

We need other residents to become actively involved and make a difference to our community.


Guy Doncaster
25/10/07