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Post date: Nov 14, 2020 8:30:59 PM
Stamford Indoor Bowls Club is hoping its members can 'hit the ground running' if the government's pre-Christmas Covid-19 restrictions are eased and scheduled for early December.
Until the latest lockdown, a reduced league programme was running smoothly and is destined to return at the first opportunity to be finished, though previous incompleted fixtures will be lost.
However, league-secretary John Holroyd, says it's not too late for teams to be added to the 2021 fixture schedules.
He has set a December 1 deadline for new teams to be formed - either by using current members or those who delayed re-joining in September and wish to start bowling competitively again in January.
The club has a Covid-aware policy of social distancing and mask-wearing which was introduced in August and allows bowlers to play friendly sessions or competitive league pairs and triples matches under English Indoor Bowling Association guidelines, while ensuring all equipment and surfaces are properly sanitized.
Commented Chairman Keith Rippin: "The club has worked very hard to ensure the environment for playing bowls indoors is safe. Yes, we wear face-coverings in the building and on the green and observe social distancing but it is no real hardship and everyone accepts the measures.
"It is so important also for our social well-being to be able to re-connect with our bowling friends and I would encourage everyone who didn't re-join when we re-opened to re-consider in January.
It will also assist the club enormously financially, as it has lost so much revenue since initially closing in March. The return of members will also help lift any threat of losing this great facility in Exeter Gardens.
As well as roll-up sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings and organised friendlies on Wednesday mornings there are 10 competitive leagues, chiefly in afternoons and evenings. The club also organises coaching and introductory sessions for a limited number on Saturday mornings.
The government lockdown is due to end after December 2, when the club will advise its plans to allow members back. In the meantime please contact league secretary John Holroyd (01780 752660) if you wish to enter a team in one of the leagues from January or as an individual wish to be considered to join a team or create a new one.
He is also hoping the women's Tuesday afternoon triples league can be re-formed and the club is inviting bowlers interested in potentially forming new teams to register at a special gathering on Tuesday, December 8 (2pm). Those who have already formed teams for this session should contact the league secretary immediately. The re-emergence of the league will be an important step in involving more women to continue or even take up bowls.
FOOTNOTE: Free-to-enter club competitions in multiple disciplines including men's, women's and mixed are being arranged with entry forms available when the club re-opens.
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