A BOWLS club which dramatically turned its fortunes around after nearly facing closure is preparing to celebrate a very successful year later this month.

Nearly two years ago Northallerton Bowling Club, off South Parade in the town, was considering closing with its finances in difficulty.

But the club has been on an upward trajectory since then, securing a £52,000 Sport England grant and attracting more members.

Extensive renovation work funded by the grant is now complete and an open weekend is due to take place on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26.

The grant allowed the bowling group to install a solar heating system, replace its 1988 kitchen, lay new carpets and generally redecorate the entire club.

It also received money from Hambleton District Council to replace unsafe washroom flooring and plumbing.

Now all that remains to be done is rebuilding the banks around the bowling green.

The money also allowed the club to encourage more people into the sport, including youth groups and families and it attracted an additional 30 new members.

The weekend will start with a re-opening ceremony for the green and club at 10am on Saturday, April 25

Club secretary Barbara Wallace said: “We have had a very, very busy year. All of the work that was to be done with the Sport England funding is done. After all of this activity we feel it is time to celebrate the past year.”