Peter Webb

Dear Member,
It is with great sadness that the news of the death of Peter Webb has reached us.
Along with his late wife Liz, Pete was for many years part of the fabrication of the club, not only in a playing capacity but also entering and supporting all aspects of club life. He was always willing to help in any way that he could especially with the maintenance of the green and it’s surrounds.
Our thoughts and condolences go out  to his family. 

Covid-19 Latest Playing Conditions

Covid-19: Supplementary Guidance for Lawn Bowls Clubs Approved by Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

COVID-19: SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDANCE FOR LAWN BOWLS CLUBS Issued: 2nd June

Additional Government guidance released on 1st June 2020 states:

“You can play lawn bowls where facilities have reopened, but you can only take part in these activities by yourself, or with members of your household or with no more than five other people outside of your household, as long as you are able to maintain social distancing.”.

Whilst the Government guidance now enables triples play, clubs may also wish to consider alternative formats with reduced numbers per rink – for example singles and pairs – in order for social distancing to be more easily maintained. Capping the number of occasions a player can book.

Up to six individuals from different households playing on a single rink

Clubs may wish to allow spectators, however their attendance must be in line with Government guidelines on social distancing and the ability of the club to accommodate the additional numbers Social distancing rules must be strictly adhered to; you must remain at least two metres apart from.

However:

As regards to Triples it was felt by the club that this would be a step too far at this stage, so until further notice only singles and pairs would be played.

It was felt that the club could not accommodate Spectators due to the lack of seats , benches etc, therefore any spectators should remain on the car park side of the fence.

Nothing else has changed, you still have to:

Book a rink

Practice all social distancing rules

Follow all the guidelines as set out in the Back 2 Bowls Document circulated previously

All Membership subscriptions must be paid before booking rinks.

Club Membership Subscription

2020 membership subscriptions are as follows

Market Harborough Conservative Club

(enter club membership fees)

Market Harborough Conservative Bowls Club

  • Under 65’s –       £43:00
  • Over 65’s –          £30:00

Please make your cheques payable to – Market Harborough Conservative Club Bowls Club and write the names of those that the fees represent on the back of the cheque or on a small note. Then POST to The Bowls Club Treasurer – Mrs Kelly Humphrey. 11 Latimer Crescent. Little Bowden. Leicestershire. LE16 8AP.  No hand delivered cheques please.

Back 2 Bowls Document

The objective of this document is to detail how the club will reopen whilst safeguarding the health and wellbeing of its members.

The document and protocols within are based on the guidance and advice issued by The UK Government and more specifically, Bowls England   https://www.bowlsengland.com/coronavirus-guidance/ as approved by The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The overriding principle for reopening is based on the following Government announcement

 released on 13th May 2020 that states: “You can play lawn bowls where facilities have reopened, but you can only take part in these activities by yourself, or with members of your household or with one person outside of your household, as long as you are able to maintain social distancing.”

Unfortunately at this time, we must all accept that a full return to the game, including the social element that forms such a large part of our game, is simply not possible at this time. Accordingly, the philosophy that we must adopt is that we are reopening for physical exercise for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Arrangements for Playing 

The green will reopen WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY 2020. Three rinks will be available to play on each day, 1 – 3 – 5 or 2 – 4 – 6. Open rinks will alternate on successive days to ensure even wear across the green

In order to play you will need to have pre booked a rink. You can book a rink by contacting The Club Secretary on 07956 220691. When booking a rink you and the person playing with you will be confirming that you both agree to the following terms and conditions and will adhere to them.

In advance

  • Do not go to the club if you are experiencing any coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or any cold or flu-like symptoms, in particular a cough or a high temperature. Use the NHS 111 website or helpline and seek advice. For your own protection, follow the advice about self-isolation if you are, or are living with, someone in one of the vulnerable groups.
  • Dress appropriately before you get to the club to avoid the need to change clothes – change shoes immediately before and after your game.
  • Travel to the green on your own or with members of your own household only – do not offer a lift to, or accept a lift from, anyone outside your household. Do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your allocated booking time.
  • All players must be members of the Market Harborough Conservative Club and a Member of the bowls section (see frequently asked questions section).
  • No visitors/spectators are permitted on the premises/green.
  • Those booking rinks will be asked for the MHCC membership number of each player. (This is the membership number of the main Club and can be found on the card / car parking sticker issued by them.)
  • You must play on your assigned rink.
  • Playing time on each rink is restricted to 1 hour 40 minutes.
  • 5 playing slots will be available Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at the following times
    • 10:00 – 11:40
    • 12:00 – 13:40
    • 14:00 – 15:40
    • 16:00 – 17:40
    • 18:00 – 19:40

3 playing slots will be available on Monday and Friday at the following times

  • 14:00 – 15:40
    • 16:00 – 17:40
    • 18:00 – 19:40

The reduced number of playing slots on Monday and Friday are to allow for green maintenance.

Unfortunately there is no flexibility in playing slot times; this is to ensure that the maximum number of rinks is available to the maximum number of members who wish to play.

The 20 minute interval between slots is to allow players to arrive and leave the premises. Therefore you must leave the premises 1 hour 50 minutes after the beginning of your playing slot at the latest.

You may arrive on the premises 10 minutes before the start of playing slot. Please remain in your cars for as long as possible before entering the green area. These arrangements are required to reduce the potential for contact whilst players arrive and leave the club.

When accessing the green please observe the one way system in place and enter the green via the top gate (nearest the pavilion) and exit via the bottom gate at the far end of the green.

Please sanitise any gates/locks that you touch.

The maximum number of playing slots that each member can book each week is 2. Again this is in the interests of fairness to ensure that all members have equal opportunity to play.

Committee members will be making spot checks to ensure that the arrangements in place are effective and adhered to.

Playing Format

Until further notice the playing format on all rinks will be singles (2 players on each rink). A maximum of 6 players on the green at any given time.

  • One member may play alone.
  • Two members from the same household may play on the same rink and do not need to practice social distancing from each other, but must maintain social distancing from other members on the green or premises.
  • One member may play another member not in their household, but must maintain social distancing at all times.
  • Unfortunately club equipment will not be available for use therefore members will need to provide their own equipment.
    • 2 x Mats, personal bowls mats, carpet, car mats may be used. These should be regulation size, 360mm x 600mm (14’ x 24’).
    • 2 x Jacks, personal jacks, or, for example a tennis ball may be used.
    • Means for scoring, where required.
    • Bowling arm/lifter (for use by one person only if required)
    • Equipment is available for purchase online from various sources at reasonable prices
    • Means to sanitise all equipment before and after use.
  • One player must be nominated to set the mat, while the other will be required to set the jack. The same players must undertake these tasks throughout the duration of the session.
  • Do not shake hands before, during or after the game.
  • Do not ‘high five’ or hug other players to celebrate shots or a win.
  • If scoring
    • Social distancing must be strictly adhered to at all times
    • Do not touch your opponents bowls
    • Avoid measuring for shot/s
  • Social distancing rules must be strictly adhered to ; you must remain at least two metres apart from other bowlers (who are not part of your households) at all times.

Facilities

Unfortunately none of the usual facilities are available at this time

  • The pavilion/changing rooms are closed
  • All club equipment has been made inaccessible
  • Toilet and handwashing facilities are closed
  • Green furniture has been removed
  • There are no refuse bins available, you must take your rubbish home with you.
  • Take any food, drink and chairs that you might need with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can clinically vulnerable people (such as people aged 70 and over) participate in lawn bowls?

The advice for clinically vulnerable groups remains the same. If you are in this group you are advised to stay at home as much as possible and, if you do go out, take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household. If you are living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection or if you are classified as extremely vulnerable on health grounds, the guidance is that you should remain at and exercise at home.

Full details at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do#vulnerable-groups-shielding-70-year-olds-and-over-and-care-homes

All Membership subscriptions must be paid before booking rinks.

Club Membership Subscription

2020 membership subscriptions are as follows

Market Harborough Conservative Club

(enter club membership fees)

Market Harborough Conservative Bowls Club

  • Under 65’s –       £43:00
  • Over 65’s –          £30:00

Please make your cheques payable to – Market Harborough Conservative Club Bowls Club and write the names of those that the fees represent on the back of the cheque or on a small note. Then POST to The Bowls Club Treasurer – Mrs Kelly Humphrey. 11 Latimer Crescent. Little Bowden. Leicestershire. LE16 8AP.  No hand delivered cheques please.

Update

Dear Members

I have recently had requests from some members as to whether they can, in light of the Governments easing of the lockdown measures, go to the green for a Roll up.

Below is an extract from that Statement from the Government which covers outdoor Sports.

Timetable for reopening

You should only reopen or restart activities as soon as you feel able to do so safely. Until you feel it is safe and responsible to reopen you should remain closed.

  • Organisations will need to communicate clearly and regularly with members and participants setting out what they are doing to manage risk, and what advice they are giving to individuals to do likewise.
  • Ideally organisations should publish an action plan detailing their plans to re-open safely and the steps they are taking to avoid confusion.
  • Organisations should also communicate clearly opening times and how people can safely access a facility, if relevant, for example through a booking or queuing system.
  • It is more important than ever to consider inclusive guidance for people who need support to be active and organisations should consider this as part of their work to encourage people to return.

All through this lockdown we have followed the advice of Bowls England. On their website today Thurs 14th May they have said:

The Government (DCMS) published its full guidance on the return of outdoor sport and recreation, including lawn bowls, last night.

We have updated our bowls-specific guidance, for DCMS approval, in line with this and shall issue once DCMS approval is received.

Should you wish to view the Government guidance in detail at this stage, please go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation

We kindly request that any specific enquiries you may have for Bowls England on thereopening of bowling greens awaits circulation of our bowls-specific guidance.

As you can see it is not a matter of just turning up and having a game.  Once we are have the specific guidance from Bowls England and we expecting these plans to come through any day now, we can then decide on how best we, as a club can implement them. I will then notify you when the green will open.

Meanwhile we ask you for patience and understanding as to why the green will remain closed and will be until we can provide you with as safe as possible environment in which to enjoy your sport.

Your safety is our main concern.

Bill Sneath (On behalf of the MHCCBC Committee)

Bowls England

BOWLS ENGLAND SETS OUT PLANS FOR 2020 SEASON IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Bowls England has announced the cancellation of all its domestic events ahead of the 2020 lawn bowls season in response to the latest Government advice and growing concerns from bowlers about how the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will impact lawn bowls.

The decision, which was reached at an Emergency Meeting of Board members and key staff, held on Tuesday 17th March, covers all National Championships, National Competitions and other domestic events. Discussions are ongoing with the British Isles Bowls Council and British Isles Women’s Bowls Council with regard to British Isles events this year.

Bowls England will be providing support and advice to clubs and county associations over the coming weeks to ensure the future of the sport – including plans for a proposed ‘Festival of Bowls’ later in the season.

Tony Allcock OBE, Bowls England Chief Executive, said: “Every organisation is currently coming to terms with a global situation that is unprecedented, to which Bowls England is sadly not immune. The National Finals are the conclusion of a long process that starts each year in May, therefore it is not possible for the qualification process to be completed in time throughout our 35 county associations.

“However, bowlers are known to be resilient and have proven in the past that they join together and support each other in the time of need. Now, more than ever, is the time for us all to work together to ensure that our clubs and bowling greens are available when it is deemed safe to resume our much-loved sport. So we would urge our members to commit to their clubs, keep an eye out for their fellow members who may feel isolated and be ready to get back on the greens when Government guidance allows.

“Finally, I wish to thank my staff team for their support at this time in managing this ever-changing situation. We have been inundated with enquiries from our clubs and county associations, and we will ensure that each and every enquiry is responded to in the coming days. However, our priority in the next two days will be ensuring that our staff are able to work from home effectively from next Monday”

The Board agreed that one of the most important areas of work for Bowls England over the coming weeks will be club support. Bowls England plans to provide advice and support on subjects including:

a. Coronavirus Guidance
b. Minimum amount of Greens Maintenance required so greens are playable when we resume bowling
c. Funding (including Club Loans and encouraging bowlers to support their clubs financially by continuing to pay their annual subscriptions – so clubs will still be there for them when we resume bowling)
d. Recruitment
e. Looking after each other (including encouraging members to keep an eye out for each other, especially fellow bowlers who may live on their own)
f. Staying Fit (including producing a ‘Bowlers’ Workout’ in order to keep members active during isolation or working from home)

Other key decisions taken by the Board were:

1. Bowls England office to close with effect from Friday 20th March and all staff (including Coach Bowls employees) to work from home with effect from Monday 23rd March – support for Clubs and County Associations will continue as normal.
2. Work on the new Bowls England Head Office is put ‘on hold’ until further notice
3. In support of Clubs at this difficult time, Bowls England will refund the Affiliation Fees paid for 2020 by each playing member. Bowls England will arrange refunds to the county associations, who are mandated to ensure that all monies are then paid to their Member Clubs.
4. Board to meet regularly via Skype/Conference Call to monitor the ever-changing situation, review the impact on bowls and plan accordingly – regular updates will be issued.

Information from Harborough League

Due to the current virus situation it has been decided that the M.H. Bowls League will not commence until at least halfway through the fixture list for this season but the situation, as you are no doubt aware, is very fluid and it likely that the season may have to be abandoned altogether if the Government enforce their suggestion that commencing in four weeks’ time all over 70’s will have to stay at home for approximately four months.  If the position alters in any way you will, of course, be notified but in the meantime obviously please do not attempt to pay this year’s registration fee.

Myra

Information

Dear Conservative bowls Club Member

Information is required for this year’s Sub and to confirm / update the Club’s database.

On the notice board at the club you will find blank Forms (Shown Below), could you please visit the club (ASAP), fill in the form and leave in the wallet provided.

Thank you for your help.

Bill Sneath (Bowls Sec)