Indoor Bowls Club Facelift
From this week, bowlers attending the Stamford Indoor Bowls Club in Exeter Gardens will be expected to have received both vaccinations to help prevent Covid or have had a negative test in the previous 24 hours however, the wearing a face covering on or off the green will be optional.
The club's statement reads: "We expect people wishing to enter the club to be double vaccinated or to have had a negative test in the previous 24 hours. Masks and social distancing would be at individuals’ discretion.
The changes came into effect on Monday (August 2) and are expected to encourage those unsure about whether or not to return to the game, nearly 18 months since the first lockdown initially closed the club's doors in March 2020. The club re-opened in May following a second closure in December.
Pre-booking via the club's website is still required for bowlers but not for spectating or casual visits to the building. Changing rooms would still be closed until further notice.
All inter-club county matches from September would be played in greys & club shirts in line with the county association’s recent decision for the forthcoming season, so changing facilities would not be required for either home or visiting players.
The green will be returned to a six-rink format on the 13th August and up to eight players can now occupy a rink. Current sanitising arrangements would continue, the screens at the reception desk would remain and shaking hands would be allowed but optional.
Keen to attract players back to bowls following the impact that the Covid pandemic has had on indoor sport, the club has announced it is staging a weekend recruitment drive on Saturday and Sunday, September 4 & 5 when volunteer players and coaches would show potential newcomers how the game is played, the benefits of joining and how rinks can be booked.
Families are specifically being targeted to encourage potential players of all ages to try the sport at this top class facility which has hosted some of the world's best bowlers and has internationals and national champions among its membership.
Says club president Ian Hall, who is spearheading the Open days with a team of helpers: "We are determined to spread the word on how bowls can be a rewarding sport to take up, not only for its wide demographic and competitive element but also for the friendship and companionship it provides.
"The club already provides opportunities for those who have maybe moved on from the more physical sports of football, rugby, cricket and tennis but still need to play sport with a competitive edge. It has also developed some amazing young talents who have gone on to represent their county and even their country," he says.
The free sessions which will run from 10am to 4pm on both days will give potential bowlers the chance to handle the specialist equipment and learn to bowl on the 35-metre square carpet under the guidance of coaches and experienced players aged from eight to 80+.
Each visitor to the fun open sessions will receive a welcome pack and will see how the club operates its four two-hour sessions each day, up to seven days a week during a winter season that runs from September to April.
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The preparation for the winter league programme is now well underway and fixtures will be sent out in the next week or two, where possible by email. With the extended winter programme, Margaret King, who is managing the receptionists would be keen to hear from members who may be able to assist on the reception desk.
If you can help please let Margaret know on 01780 765843 or email margaretking@hotmail.co.uk.