Sierra Cabrera - The Abandoned Bowling Centre

Sierra Cabrera village, Mojacar has an abandoned bowling centre ! Welcome to my "Droning Around" channel. By subscribing to my YouTube channel, you are supporting my content, so a big thank you! https://www.youtube.com/c/RichardFiske0311?sub_confirmation=1 Set high up in the mountains, Mezquita peak, the highest of the range at 962m above sea level. It is a small and select development of luxury homes that was initiated back in the late 1980s, though the area holds much historical evidence of earlier settlements. The architecture and setting of the village was the idea of a man named Peter Grosscurth, all the homes, and the surrounding mountainside villas, are designed and styled with traditional Moorish characteristics, such as courtyards, archways, and domes, and all are painted a terracotta colour that blend with the landscape. Although Peter is no longer alive, modern Cabrera remains true to the principles that he set down. The village archway, named after Peter and now a symbol of the Cabrera, bears a plaque in his remembrance, and the San Pedro Fiesta, held in June each year, is also celebrated in his honour. HISTORY:- It all started some 38 years ago when an architect/designer, Peter Grosscurth, was admiring the Sierra Cabrera mountain range in full view of his own property in nearby Cortijo Grande. He had a vision of a village in the mountains which would have a distinctly Moorish influence. (The Moors had occupied much of Spain for a period of 500 – 700 years and had an occupied settlement in Cabrera during that period). He had experience of designing property in Cortijo Grande in what we call “the valley”. He joined forces at some stage with a talented architect – Lucas c.c Mazquene who shared Peter’s enthusiasm for all Moorish designs. It is doubtful that he had lawn bowls in mind at that time but as it turned out he was introduced to a bowler who, in turn, was interested in living in this new village to be called Cortijo Cabrera. He just happened to know one of our best known and successful bowlers namely, David Bryant. With the advice Peter received he was able to set his workers on to building not one but three grass bowling greens, together with store rooms, a restaurant and a swimming pool – not forgetting the wonderful views. The first foundations were in place 1982-3 and the bowls greens were ready in 1984. In 1986, a Committee formally registered the club and subsequently it became affiliated to the Spanish National Federation of Bowls. Some of the best memories during this time were in 1993 and 1994 when Cabrera Lawn Bowls Club co-hosted the Spanish National Championships with the then, La Mata Lawn Bowls Club. Bowlers came to this South Eastern corner of Andalucía from the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol plus some from the Spanish Islands. Club days, leagues and competitions kept the club a popular one to belong to. The developers maintained the greens up to 1991 when the club took over the maintenance as part of a new agreement. In 1999-2000 many discussions took place with a view to securing the long term future of the Club. The decision was finally taken to move to a site in Turre situated at the foothills of the Sierra Cabrera. The developers at Al Andalus Gardens had plans for a retirement village there and the proposal to site the bowling green was warmly received. There had been marked differences in opinion at the time, as to whether or not they should continue on grass or change to an artificial surface. There were strongly held views for either of the options. Briefly, the outcome was that a good many left Cabrera and, with others, formed a new local club with an artificial surface whilst the grass devotees pursued their goal. The first artificial green was constructed in 2001 together with a clubhouse followed on by a second green in 2002. An Open Invitation Competition brought members of many clubs in Spain together to share the enjoyment of this new venture. The first games were played on Green 1 in November 2001. Cabrera went on to host the National side from Portugal and later from Wales. Many days were taken up with practice and selection procedures for the Spanish National Team. Events, such as the Andalucian Championships have been held at Cabrera. Support my channel by making your next purchase using the official links below. (Disclaimer: You dont pay any extra, but when available, I may earn a commission). ________________________ OFFICIAL AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS:- DJI MAVIC AIR 2:- U.S.A: https://amzn.to/2OtVhte UK: https://amzn.to/2OzoIKq DJI MINI 2:- U.S.A: https://amzn.to/3rmNagP UK: https://amzn.to/38hG3yE ________________________ MOJACAR AREA: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiTanUjEWzoki1AVi-A8TT5Qg79DcoR_w Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.fiske.756 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiskey0311/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/richfiske #richardfiske THANKS