TWO local bowling clubs, Northfield Park and Grasshoppers, have been rewarded for their perseverance during difficult times with the news that work has eventually started on a new pavilion at their Lickey Hills base.

Work began earlier this month, with a estimated time of eight weeks to complete the project.

It is hoped that the new facilities will be available for the start of the new bowling season at Easter.

In the summer of 1999, the hut that had stood on the Lickeys for over 50 years, suffered a suspected arson attack and was burnt to the ground, meaning neither club had anywhere to shelter from the weather or put their coats or belongings.

Gordon Harper of Northfield Park has taken a keen interest in the history of the original hut, and found that it was originally erected by Prisoners of War many years ago. The site of the Lickeys was also a gift from the Cadbury family for the public to enjoy.

Colin Mortiboys, general secretary of the Big Crown Bowling League, led the calls for a replacement building to be erected as soon as possible, as history showed that too many bowls clubs had previously gone out of existence when vandalism had taken place at parks in the West Midlands. A formal request for help on behalf of both Clubs was made to Birmingham City Council in September 1999 and by October a reply had confirmed the site had been identified to benefit from a contribution to support improved bowling facilities. During the next month, the council confirmed that they hoped to have a new building in place by January 2000.

This is where a combination of red tape and bureaucracy took over, as although the Lickey Hills are managed by Birmingham City Council, the League were told that the green belt was controlled by Bromsgrove District Council, and this affected any proposed building.

Original plans were apparently filled in incorrectly and then went missing for a considerable period, with neither council taking direct ownership of the problems.

Eventually, the league were advised that work had been rescheduled to start at Easter 2000, but this came and went without any positive action.

The problem became more serious, especially with the bad weather last summer, but with the help and support of John Ashman, chairman of the Lickey Hills Society, and Mrs Casey of Lickey Parish Council, the League were advised that plans were in hand to resolve the situation and provide a satisfactory solution.

Colin Mortiboys said: "It is only with the combined effort of these people that we have got this far, and we pleased not only for the clubs involved, but also for the future visitors to the Lickey Hills, that a central location will be available for their enjoyment of recreation for years to come -- something that was always the objective when the Cadbury family made their gift many years ago."