OAKLEY Bowling Club was awarded Clubmark status in September and last Friday evening club president Jim Fitzgerald was delighted to be presented with its certificate by North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse, writes SPENCER KERLEY.

Clubmark is the universally recognised club accreditation scheme which requires clubs to demonstrate high levels of welfare, equity, coaching and management within a community sports club.

Some 50 people attended the presentation where they were joined by distinguished guests including the deputy mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Paul Frankum, the Chair of the Parish Council Ros Blackman, representatives of Bowls Hampshire and Sir Michael Colman.

Energise Me, who are the County Sports Partnership, worked with the club and particularly Treasurer Peter Bown throughout the process.

Energise Me Clubmark lead, Harry Stow, said “Oakley Bowling Club were an absolute pleasure to work with and met many areas of the criteria to an exceptional level.

"They provide an extremely positive experience for all members and the committee have so much knowledge and expertise between them.”

Oakley's Bown said “Clubmark is a rewarding activity to have completed and Energise Me were a great help during the process.

"Oakley are proud to be the first outdoor club in Hampshire to achieve this status.

"As a result of attaining Clubmark accreditation, Oakley Bowling Club can go forward with confidence that the Club is well run and a safe environment for its members and visitors.”

Oakley is the first and only outdoor bowls club, out of 115 clubs in Hampshire to achieve such recognition and only the 12th nationally from over 2,000 clubs The club was only formed in 1978 and was the first totally mixed outdoor bowls club in Hampshire.

They initially played on a green at Carpenter's Down, Popley in Basingstoke, which it rented from the Council.

It moved to its present picturesque home looking out over the Hampshire Downs on the Malshanger Estate in 1984.

A new pavilion was built on the north side of the green for the start of the 2013 season, this followed a big fundraising campaign and grants from Sport England and the Basingstoke and Deane Council.

In the October of the same year the club won the prestigious Bowls England/Drakes Pride National Club of the Year Award.