by Roy Beers

Years after their village hall was “condemned” by the council a hard-working group of Bowling volunteers say they're still in limbo about the future of a cherished community resource.

The Friends of Bowling Village Hall say they've been in the dark about the venue's future for at least three years, following a decision to make the council-owned property surplus to requirements after the launch of West Dunbartonshire Leisure.

But in the meantime they complain the few other local amenities have been reduced to a pub and a shop, and no community resource that meets normal modern standards.

Friends chairman Bill Mackenzie said: “Our members have put a lot of effort into fundraisers – everything from race nights to fun nights – to pay for the cost of keeping the place open.

“We don't know what the future holds, but we're not giving in – and are doing everything we can to save our village hall”.

The effort to save the building for use by the community comes amid ambitious development plans for Bowling Basin, with plans to boost leisure-related tourism potential through new cycle tracks and other features.

However Mr Mackenzie's group feel the village itself it being overlooked as the wider plan takes shape.

Bill said: “What would be ideal is a comprehensive upgrade of the hall, to include annexes that could provide Bowling with a proper community facility.”

Small, dilapidated and with plants sprouting from its walls, the hall was a former schoolhouse which can accommodate around 80 to 100 people at full stretch.

But its layout means only one group can really use it at a time, ruling out the sort of varied use sessions many other community centres take for granted.

Nevertheless a local housewives group who have nowhere else convenient to meet are among regular users prepared to overlook the venue's dingy shortcomings in order to have a fixed local meeting place they can rely upon.

Bill said: “While we wait for the council to do something about the lack of amenity in Bowling the best we can do is keep the momentum going, and we've another fundraiser coming up on Saturday, August 27.”

Starting at 7.30pm it's a fun night which will involve games, a raffle, a quiz and other entertainment, and tickets priced £3 are available on 01389 878565 or 01389 875147.

A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “