Multi-year funding secures future of Upper Donside Bowling Club

With only a handful of other venues left in this rural part of Aberdeenshire, the club has become more than just a bowling green. It hosts community events, school activities, and even emergency training sessions. For many older residents, it’s one of the few regular opportunities for both social contact and exercise. 

Founded in 1994, UDBC is an unincorporated community club based in Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire, serving a widely spread rural population across Upper Donside, and has sustained their services with help from the Greencoat Wind Kildrummy Wind farm Community Fund administered by Foundation Scotland. 

The club maintains an outdoor bowling green on leased land from the Glenkindie Estate, offering both daytime and evening sessions for its 28 members. A 12-member committee oversees the club, which provides competitive and social bowling opportunities through local leagues and national competitions. UDBC also runs indoor sessions during winter months at local halls and partners with nearby schools. 

The Challenge
UDBC was at risk of closure due to financial pressures and ageing facilities. With just 29 members - mainly older residents on fixed incomes- the club found it difficult to meet rising costs without raising fees. In 2023, membership income was £1,670, and fundraising added £4,670. Together, this fell £1,893 short of annual running costs of £6,563.

The facilities also needed major upgrades after 30 years of use. Drainage problems caused flooding on the green, while the clubhouse required redecoration and electrical work. Infrastructure such as fencing, storage, and car park surfacing had deteriorated, affecting safety and discouraging new members.

In a rural area where churches and halls have closed, UDBC remained one of the few places for social connection. Without help, reserves of £7,000 would have been depleted by 2026, leaving the community without a gathering space. This would have been particularly challenging for older residents who relied on the club for both social contact and physical activity.

Application
UDBC applied to Foundation Scotland's Kildrummy Fund requesting £15,000 over three years (£5,000 annually) to address core running costs and essential facility improvements. UDBC also demonstrated financial prudence through diverse income streams including membership fees, 100 club lottery, fundraising events, and tournament entry fees. The club committed to volunteer labour where possible and contractor engagement for specialist work, maximising grant impact. The application acknowledged the need for long-term sustainability planning beyond immediate financial relief, proposing increased community engagement and facility diversification to ensure viability beyond the grant period.  

Panel Consideration & Award Decision
The local decision-making panel recognised UDBC's vital role in an asset-poor rural community. Whilst noting concerns about long-term sustainability given the ageing membership demographic, the panel determined that immediate intervention was essential to prevent facility degradation and community asset loss. The panel awarded the full requested amount of £15,000 over three years, recognising that members could not absorb increased costs and that the maintenance programme was essential for facility security. However, the award included specific conditions reflecting sustainability concerns. The panel's decision balanced immediate community needs against longer-term concerns. The conditional structure ensured accountability while providing UDBC with necessary resources to maintain operations and implement improvements that would enhance facility attractiveness to potential new users and members.

Project Success
The three-year project set out to secure the club’s future and improve facilities while widening its role in the community. Funding covered essential running costs - utilities, insurance, and green maintenance - allowing fees to remain affordable for members. Capital improvements were phased. Year one focused on green drainage and full clubhouse redecoration, including new wiring and LED lighting, and year two delivered improved access, with wheelchair-friendly paths and upgrades to better accommodate older and disabled visitors. Future works include storage, fencing, and resurfacing the car park.

Community activities expanded alongside the improvements. The club has hosted defibrillator training, team-building sessions for Alford Academy staff, and joint events with local churches. New mobility aids and recycled benches have made the green more inclusive and welcoming. Safety has also been strengthened through health and safety policies, emergency training, and improved signage with What3Words locations—introduced after a medical emergency on opening day.  

Final Thoughts - Broader Implications
Upper Donside Bowling Club's case demonstrates the critical role of strategic grant-making in preserving essential rural community infrastructure. By the end of year two, UDBC has not only maintained operations but significantly enhanced its community value through improved facilities, expanded programming, and strengthened emergency preparedness that benefits the entire Upper Donside area.

The project illustrates how targeted funding can create multiplier effects beyond immediate beneficiaries. UDBC's defibrillator training and What3Words initiative now serves neighbouring churches and community groups, whilst partnerships with Alford Academy create ongoing educational and wellbeing opportunities. The club's evolution from a single-purpose facility to a multi-functional community hub demonstrates how grant conditions can drive innovation and broader community engagement.

Most significantly, the case highlights the importance of preserving existing community assets in rural areas where replacement would be impossible. UDBC's 30-year legacy and established community connections represent irreplaceable social capital that, once lost, cannot be readily recreated. The Fund’s investment recognises that community sustainability often requires supporting existing institutions through transitional challenges rather than waiting for new solutions to emerge. As UDBC enters its final grant year, the foundation laid through facility improvements, community partnerships, and enhanced safety provisions positions the club for continued evolution as a key community gathering place, demonstrating how strategic grant making can preserve and strengthen rural social infrastructure for future generations.

Read more about the Kildrummy Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund