The Friends of Marlpit Lane Bowling Green have been awarded a £1000 grant towards the cost of replacing one of the missing benches by the bowling green in Coulsdon Memorial Ground.

The grant was awarded by the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, after the Friends contacted them about the sad state of seating in this area of the park.

According to older photographs, there were originally seven benches located around the bowling green. There are now three remaining, and two of those are broken. In 2013 the Friends approached the council about replacing the benches, and were told the cost would be nearly £1000 per bench.

Aftre confirmation of the grant, Croydon Council have been contacted to arrange installation of the new bench. Located by the bowling green, near the putting green, it will give people a place to sit in the quieter area of the park, away from the main sports fields.

The Friends' campaign to replace and repair the remaining benches continues.

Based on information supplied by FMLBG.