A BOWLS club will celebrate its centenary year with the launch of a £300,000 fundraising campaign for a new pavilion.

Witney Town Bowls Club, which has 100 members, has been meeting in a former builders’ hut at The Leys since its beginnings in the summer of 1910.

Planning permission has been granted to build a larger base and members are looking to raise funds.

Member Mel Cameron said: “It’s going to be a hard struggle.

“Some of the local sport facilities which are council-run can come up with new pavilions as it all comes out of the public purse but this is coming out of our purse.

“The Lottery funds at the moment aren’t throwing money around.

“We are going through all the procedures but we have reams and reams of paper to fill in.”

The earliest work would be likely to start is late 2011.

Mr Cameron added: “It was a builders’ hut before and there is a limited life in it. It’s a bit archaic.

“The roof is getting a bit suspect, we have big trees over the top and there is always the risk of things falling on it. We are growing in numbers and we are limited by space.

“If we make any changes, we would like a completely new building.

“We are hopeful that this will be suitable for the people that will come along for the next 100 years.”

The club will also play a centenary match in July against a team of representatives from clubs across England.

Mr Cameron said: “These matches only happen for clubs with big anniversaries.

“There are four clubs in the south of England that will be 100 this year, so it’s a special occasion.”

The club started when land was requisitioned in Witney for the use of the townsfolk.

In 1912, the club was affiliated to the Oxford City and County Bowling Association.

Famous names in the club’s history include former footballers Fred Ford and Herbert Smith, who played for England between 1906 and 1908.

To help raise funds or to join the club, contact Bryan Buckingham on 01993 882107 or Mr Cameron on 01993 704161.