A CLUBHOUSE which came under repeated attacks from grey squirrels has reopened after a five-figure revamp.

Dirleton Bowling Club celebrated the saving of its clubhouse and the start of the new bowling season with a re-opening ceremony on Sunday, April 10.

Less than two years ago, the clubhouse was in need of refurbishment because of damage caused by the rodents.

However, planning permission and funding was secured to ensure that the bowling club, which is toasting its 140th anniversary, had a future.

Ian Paxton, chairman of the club, welcomed Roderick Urquhart, Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian, and his wife Libby to perform the opening ceremony.

Mr Paxton said: “The squirrels had gone underneath the old clay tiles.

“They had been nesting under the tiles and between the roof joists.

“They had been chewing away, had chewed through some of the interior plasterboard walls, and it was getting pretty messy.

“It looks a lot different now – it is a lot brighter.”

The club chairman was hopeful that the improved clubhouse might help to attract more people to the bowling green.

Membership had dropped to below 30, which led to the club withdrawing from the county-wide leagues.

Mr Paxton encouraged people to head along on Tuesday evenings between 7pm and 9pm, and Saturdays 2-4pm, to try their hand at the sport.

Derek Carter, chairperson of the club development committee, thanked everyone involved in saving the club, stressing that each and every piece of help was crucial to the building and the success of the project.

Ward councillor Jeremy Findlay was thanked, alongside North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership, which provided seedcorn funding to cover the planning application fee, the technical specifications, and the third-party contribution required by Viridor Credits.

Major funding was provided by Viridor Credits (£24,000) and EBScotland (£20,000).

The improvement works included not only the new, insulated metal roof but also the removal of three large evergreen trees, which were planted within two metres of the building and were overshadowing and damaging it.

New windows were also added to allow more light into the clubroom and to open up the obscured view to the north side of the castle.

New flooring was laid, and the inside and outside of the building were completely re-decorated by the volunteers.

Mr Urquhart congratulated the club on the new appearance of the clubhouse and thanked Mr Carter and Mr Paxton for their work.

He said: “It’s a really impressive clubhouse.

“The team of club members and volunteers who came together have done a fantastic job and ended up with a fantastic end result. It has been beautifully refurbished and tastefully done.”

To become a member at the club, contact Lynn Anderson on 01620 850526.