22/03/2014 South Today

Good evening. I'm Laura Trant with significant -- end of the season.

Good evening. I'm Laura Trant with the news in the south.

Around 350 angry members of a bowls club have taken to the stredts today

to demand new facilities for their sport. The bowlers in Horsh`m say

their club is set for demolhtion as part of a redevelopment schdme and

they're demanding a replacelent Steve Humphrey reports.

They are cool and calm when they play their sport, but today these

bowlers vented their anger `nd frustration on the streets of

Horsham. They are upset the future of their indoor bowling club is

threatened by a council`inspired redevelopment.

You cannot play football or hockey at our age, so you play bowls, it is

a nice, gentle sport. It is fun and the people who run it make ht much

more enjoyable, as well. It is a strong club and I think we

should fight for our club, ht should stay open It is definitely worth it.

Horsham's indoor bowling centre is used seven days a week by players of

all ages, but the building hs threatened by plans for what is

called the Broadbridge Heath quarter. The bowling centre along

with the next`door sports cdntre could be knocked down to make way

for new leisure facilities, new hotel and up to 200 apartments.

What do you want in return? Simply a replacement facility.

Do you think you will get it? I don't know at the moment, it is

still looking doubtful. That is why you are keeping up the

pressure? Yes, indeed.

In a statement, Horsham District Council have said no final decisions

have been made. They say thdy will be looking at a business case put

forward by the Bowls club. There is due to be a meeting by the council

and representatives from thd bowls club on April seventh.

The government has given ?10,00 to a community trust which is trying to

buy South Parade Pier in Sotthsea. The pier is currently closed and the

owners have been ordered to carry out work to make it safe. L`st week

it was claimed it had been sold but that's not been confirmed. @

community group is still confident it can take over the pier and will

use the government grant to get help with fundraising and building its

community support. We think we can buy the pier.

Obviously it is a chicken and egg situation because if you don't have

the money you cannot get st`rted to buy the pier, but we think we can.

These are tough economic tiles but this is a community project. The

government supports community projects, it is a cheaper option

than the council or someone else buying it out. The pier has been

your for 135 years and residents do not want to see it go.

your for 135 years and residents do has been here.

gave Swindon a one`nil victory against Preston. In League Two,

Portsmouth's relegation worries increased after they were bdaten

one`nil by York. Pompey are now third from bottom of the table.

And Oxford United have appohnted Gary Waddock as their new hdad

coach. The former Aldershot boss leaves his role at MK Dons to take

up the job, saying he "can't wait to get started".

Tomorrow we will bring you the result of the biggest day in the

history of Gosport Borough `s they take on Cambridge United in the FA

Trophy final at Wembley. Th`t kicks off at three o'clock, we will have

live coverage on BBC Radio Solent. But look at how the weekend weather

is shaping up tonight. Some showers are still posshble

especially later on, but becoming mostly dry with clear spells

developing. Cold, with a slhght frost possible in some rural areas.

Tomorrow, further heavy showers likely, with hail and thunddr

possible, but good sunny spdlls in between.

Feeling cold in a brisk north westerly breeze.

A top temperature of 10 Celsius They click for next, sunshine and

showers. `` the outlook for next week. That is all for now, we will

be back tomorrow at 6:50pm. 20 more on your local BBC R`dio

station and website, too. H`ve a great night, goodbye.