Bowls club devastated by Storm Claudia damage

The club's awards ceremony had to be cancelled on Saturday due to the flooding

A bowls club has called for greater support for flood-hit communities after its pitch was left covered with mud and debris for the second time.

Malmesbury Bowls and Social Club in Wiltshire was left with a £100,000 repair bill after Storm Bert wrecked havoc in November 2024, and experienced similar damage from Storm Claudia over the weekend.

Alan Rice-Smith, club secretary, said: "We entered this winter period hoping lighting wouldn't strike twice quite so quickly, but it has. It's a frustration, and a bit depressing for our hard-working volunteer members."

The club is calling for a wider flood mitigation strategy to protect the town and hope a "co-ordinated approach" can be taken.

Paths leading to the bowls club were covered with water on Friday and Saturday

A skittles match had been under way on Friday evening when Storm Claudia hit. Witnesses said that by 22:00 GMT, the area around the club was 15cm (6in) under water with people forced to wade to their cars.

The club was then forced to cancel its annual awards night on Saturday evening, as the flooding worsened.

Mr Rice-Smith added: "We are lucky this year that, so far, while the water did decimate our green, it didn't reach our clubhouse.

"If it had got into the building, it would have probably finished the club off and that would have a knock-on effect."

Weddings and wakes are held at the club house and various community groups, such as the Women's Institute, also use the space.

The car park and green area by the bowls club was submerged

In the past, the bowls club - which has insurance - has made use of its own funds and money from Sport England to recover after flooding. But Mr Rice-Smith, who has contacted the Environment Agency for guidance, says it is now "unsustainable" to assume they can rely on grants to survive.

"It's very difficult to establish what can be done," he added. "We are a not-for-profit limited company and our income is baked purely on member subscriptions and income at the bar.

"We had to spend £15,000 from our funds last year to meet the excess requirements for our insurance claim for the [flood] damage to the building.

"My simple hope is that there could be a co-ordinated approach to make some changes down at the river which could benefit everybody. It's not just about the bowls club."

The Environment Agency has been contacted for comment.

Mr Rice-Smith hopes groups like his can be offered guidance for future floods