Stroud Bowls Club, a long-standing fixture of the South Cotswold League and a cherished part of the local sporting community, is set to close its doors at the end of this season due to falling membership and financial pressures.
The club, which has proudly played on the green at Stratford Park for 88 years, announced the news in a notice displayed at the clubhouse.
“Sad to announce, but due to low membership and low financial income, Stroud Bowls Club will be closing at the end of this season,” the notice reads.
“A lot of history, Stroud has – international and Commonwealth players, many county players, county cup winners, league winners, and honours in the county championships. Despite a lot of effort to keep the club going, a decision was made to close after 88 years at Stratford Park – we are sure people will miss the activity on the bowling green.”
The club has been home to generations of local players and has seen considerable success over the decades, with members representing at national and international levels.
Despite recent efforts to attract new members and sustain the club’s legacy, numbers have continued to decline—mirroring a wider trend seen across many traditional grassroots sports.
The closure will mark the end of an era for the park and for many in the community who’ve enjoyed the sight of bowls being played on warm summer afternoons
