A CAMPAIGN to secure the future of Gullane Bowling Club has been backed by hundreds of local residents and East Lothian’s MSP.

A pressure group called ‘Bowls for Gullane’ was established on Facebook in the wake of concerns that the village’s bowling club – with a membership of only about 30 – was to be sold to developers.

Councillor Jeremy Findlay, ward member and former chairman of Gullane Area Community Council, said: “All three ward councillors are behind the campaign to save the club and we hope that the members understand the feeling in the village.

“I understand that the committee own the club and it would be the members who benefit from any potential sale.”

About 50 residents gathered outside the bowling club on Monday evening to show their displeasure at the possible loss of the club.

The group told the Courier they had had hundreds of offers of support.

Catherine MacKenzie said: “We’ve had people phone up, email and text us – and face-to-face – to tell us that they’re willing to become a member.

“Some of them don’t live locally, or won’t be able to bowl, but they are willing to pay the membership fees. People do not want to see the club close.”

Gordon McLelland, a local resident and member of the community council, added: “The community council want to save the club for the community.

“We have tried hard to offer the club our support to work with them but so far they have turned that down.”

Billy Mellors, the county’s bowls development officer, said: “The overwhelming support from the local community indicates to me the future of Gullane Bowling Club can be sustained if the current members accept it.”

Many locals have tried to sign up as members but have been turned away by the club, it has been claimed.

Another member of the group said: “What has shocked us as a group is how many people have been refused membership in recent years – young and old have come forward with their personal experience of being turned away.”

Mr Mellors added: “Time will tell on the way the club want to go but we all hope a common sense approach is taken to preserve this community facility.”

East Lothian MSP Iain Gray met representatives of the Bowls for Gullane group last week and is keen to find a solution to ensure the club’s survival.

He said: “This is an unfortunate situation; Gullane has lost too many local assets recently, so every effort should be made to avoid losing another. I did meet with representatives of the campaign and have said that I will support them in trying to find a way the land, and preferably bowling too, can remain part of the village community.”

Ian McMillan, CEO of Bowls Scotland, said that he was “delighted” to see local residents lend their support to the campaign to save the 116-year-old club.

He added: “I would encourage all in the village to support their historic club, get on the green, enjoy the great game of bowls and ensure future generations can benefit from the opportunity to play an accessible, inclusive sport. Bowls Scotland fully supports the work being undertaken to keep bowls an important part of Gullane’s community fabric.”

Les Ritchie, secretary of East Lothian Bowling Association, told the group: “We are ready to support you and the community in whatever steps might secure a future for bowling in Gullane.”

Attempts by the Courier to speak to Michael Baxter, vice-president and secretary at the bowling club, were unsuccessful this week. In April, Mr Baxter told us: “There are not enough members to support the running of the club.”

He had said then that the club was “trying to find a solution” but that it was not viable to continue with a dwindling membership.

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council confirmed the land was earmarked for leisure and recreation use in the Local Development Plan and any deviation from that would require planning permission for a potential change of use.