Petitions signed by more than 2,000 people and a lot of hard work by determined bowlers has saved their beloved club weeks before the new season starts.

Players were heartbroken in November when they were told Merton Council-funded Morden and Merton bowling clubs could merge at the end of the 2016 season so the council could save £25,000.

Wimbledon Times:

Mary Dinsdale, front, with friends at the club

February 3: Save our bowling clubs: Petition gets 1,000 signatures against council funding cuts

But determined members of Merton Bowling Club, based in Joseph Hood recreation ground, Raynes Park, were not going to give up without a fight, and launched a petition to save the club.

A total of 1,157 people signed the petition on the Change.org website and a further 1,200 people signed a petition on paper.

November 2015: Bowls over? Two beloved bowling clubs could close as council looks to cut funding

With the backing of Bowls England, club members found an approved contractor to take over the maintenance of the green and pitched it to the council at a meeting on Monday, February 29.

The club, which is the oldest in the borough having been set up in 1909, will now be open as normal from next month, and they are appealing for sponsors and donations to support the newly independent club.

Speaking of the moment they found out the club could stay open, secretary of Merton Bowling Club, Tina Smith, said: “It was a shock to us.

“We thought we would have to fight but the council was open to our suggestion and supported us.”

Merton and Morden Bowls Club faced being merged after as part of the council's plan to save money.

There were talks for Merton Bowls Club to use the ground at Raynes Park, but this did not need to happen. 

Morden Bowls Club could still close, and the council is working with a club in Mitcham to recruit more members. 

Merton Council’s cabinet member for community and culture, Nick Draper, said previously merging facilities would be “fair”, given the £90,000 annual cost of maintaining six bowling greens used by about 60 members.

Ms Smith said donations would help to cover a number of running costs including £3,500 needed for treating and mowing the bowling greens all year round.

The total cost would be £6,250 a year. 

“It turns out grass is quite temperamental, we can't just get the Flymo out,” she said.

“We realised quite early on we didn't know enough about it all and didn't want to muck it up.

“We are happy with the contractor taking it on and we will now look at getting funding and donations in,” Ms Smith said.

Cllr Draper said: “After a positive meeting, Merton Bowls Club has agreed to take full responsibility for maintaining the green at Joseph Hood recreation ground.

"This means the club can continue to operate at its local ground and continue using its facilities including the club house whilst the council can make the savings necessary to balance the budget following reductions in Government grant.

"This is a great outcome for all concerned.”

The club will re-open from Saturday, April 23 for the new season and will hold an open day.