BALERNO BOWLING CLUB

In February I reported that the Club AGM had been dominated by discussion of the extortionate rent increases proposed by the Rosebery Estate. I have now received this report from our Immediate Past President, Bill Stark.

“ The current 25 year lease between the Bowling Club and the Rosebery Estate, signed in 1991, stipulates 5 yearly rent reviews. The 4th phase was scheduled for May 2006. We were informed that the Estate proposed increasing our rent by over 300%. from that agreed in 2001. This huge increase reflected their view that the land currently leased by the Club should now be valued as residential rather than recreational. The Committee felt that the proposal was totally unreasonable and could force the Club to close. Such an outcome would have been disastrous not only for the bowlers but for the community of Balerno as a whole. Besides bowling, the Club facilities are used by nearly all local organisations for business, fund raising and social events and as a meeting point for many elderly residents throughout the year.

Accordingly, a small subcommittee consisting of myself. Charlie Husband, Ken Shade and Hugh Watt was formed to pursue our claim for a fair rent. Much has changed since the original lease was drawn up in 1991. Balerno Bowling Club is now specifically identified as a leisure and recreational facility within the Balerno Conservation Area Character Appraisal Plan.

Both Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling MP and David McLetchie MSP were contacted to support our case as was Alistair Weir {Davidson and Robertson, Chartered Surveyors}. Ken Shade, as Chairman of the Balerno Community Council, was able to act on matters relating to local planning.

I am pleased to report that, as a result of all our efforts, the rent review has now been resolved to everyone’s satisfaction without having to go to arbitration. Full details of the revised agreement are displayed on the Club Notice board.

Our grateful thanks must be passed to all who have acted on our behalf especially the considerable work undertaken by Alistair Weir. Without his specific intervention Balerno could have lost a valuable asset in terms of a community recreation, social and leisure facility.”

On bowling, congratulations are due to Tom McDonald and Paul Stoddart for winning the Currie and Balerno Pairs.

Finishing on a lighter note, a quiz question that is intriguing many. When did Forfar last beat Milan?

F.D.H.King