Category: Club News

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE CLUB WILL OPEN AGAIN FROM MONDAY, 10th AUGUST FOR PRACTICE ONLY

• FREE ROLL UPS TO 30TH SEPTEMBER
• ADVANCE BOOKINGS ONLY
• RESTRICTIONS APPLY

Below is a letter from the Directors welcoming West Berks Members back to bowling.  It is on a restricted basis so please read the information carefully:

Dear Member

The Directors have carefully studied the EIBA and Government guidelines and feel able to re-open the club on Monday, 10^th August, albeit on a restricted basis.

We know members have lost over four months of indoor bowling during the Coronavirus pandemic and the Directors have generously agreed to waive ALL roll-up rink fees from 10^th August until 30^th September.

I am sure this will come as good news to many members, but we do understand that some of you may be cautious about returning indoors.

For your safety we have worked hard to make the club a clean and Covid secure environment. Each day the club, including the new bowls carpet, will be sanitised with a specially purchased “fogger” sanitation machine which lowers the risk of infection and the spread of flu and the Coronavirus for 24 hours. In addition, your temperature will be checked before entry. Mats, jacks and touch points will be sanitised and one way systems are in operation. PPE will be worn by staff and you are free to wear your own face covering although it is not mandatory.

Whilst you have been away we have also been busy improving the fabric of the club. The dining room and changing rooms have been decorated and the new green carpet has been fitted. We will post on the website a pictorial record of how the Greengauge fitters removed the old carpet and underlay down to the boards. How they loose laid and taped the new Formula 1 underlay and finally how the new carpet was laid, stitched and marked up ready for your return.

The Club asks all players to please abide by the following rules and to play your part in keeping the Club and fellow Members safe.

We look forward to welcoming you back.

 The Directors                   3^rd August 2020

Please read the following information fully and carefully:

Booking a Rink

• In the initial phase running up to 30^th August there will be only two sessions each day from Monday to Friday. Playing time will be limited to 1 hour and 45 minutes each with 15 minutes allowed for changeover. The sessions will commence at 9.30am and 11.30am.
• Bookings may be made up to 7 days in advance by calling the office on 01635 34840 between 9.30 and 13.30 weekdays. Bookings can also be made between 10.00 and 12.00 on Friday August 7^th.  Rink availability can be viewed on the Club website (wbibc.co.uk) by clicking the Bowlr tab.
• Rinks 2, 4 and 6 only may be booked.
• Bookings may be made for up to six named members per rink. It would be helpful if you could book in groups of four plus.
• We request that members restrict their bookings as only a few sessions are available each week, and we would like as many members as possible to benefit.
• If you can’t find a roll-up partner(s) please let the desk know, as there may be other members looking for a partner(s).

Arriving to Play.

• You will not be allowed access to the green unless you name is already in the booking system. All names will be held for 21 days for ‘track and trace’ purposes.  Non-bowlers must also sign in with the office.
• Arriving members will enter through the normal entrance and proceed to the lobby where their temperature will be checked. They should also sanitise their hands. Anyone failing the temperature check will be refused admission.
• Members are asked to arrive no more than 15 minutes before their session time, and to be dressed ready to play, except for their shoes which will be changed in the Dining Room. Casual dress is acceptable.
• Please follow the signage to enter and exit the green.
• There will be no access to the Ladies or Gents changing rooms except for members to collect their equipment on their first visit. Ladies will access their changing room from the marked door on the right of the green.
• Members are required to take their bowls away with them at the end of their game.  Bowls are not to be left in the Dining Room or Lounge areas.
• Drinks will be available from the water and coffee machines, but members are required to bring their own cups or glasses. Any items left will be discarded.
• Only the Disabled Toilet will be available. Members are asked to re-sanitise on leaving.
• Members will exit the building via the door from the dining room into the car park.

Playing your Game

• All Mats, Jacks and handrails will have been sanitised.
• The mat position is FIXED on a ‘T’ at three metres from the ditch and must not be moved during play. This will allow extra space behind the mat for social distancing.
• Player numbers are restricted to a maximum of 6 per rink.
• The Jack will not be cast but will be placed by the winning skip using his foot, at a length of his choice.
• For play, those booking rink 2 will play up rink 2 and will return by playing down rink 1. Those on rink 4 will play up rink 4 and down rink 3; those on rink 6 will play up rink 6 and down rink 5.
• This will mean that neither mats nor jacks will need to be touched by hand during the session. Please only hand touch your own bowls.
• This procedure will also help to even the wear on our new carpet.
• Jacks entering the ditch or leaving the rink will be re-placed on the ‘T’ after being re-sanitised. Ditched woods should be left for their owner to remove after the end is completed.
• Pushers will not be available.
• If you wish to mark a toucher, use only spray chalk.
• Scorecards will be available but Skips should bring their own pens. Cards should be binned on leaving the Club.
• Measuring is allowed but care should be taken not to touch the bowls or jack.

The scoreboard and chairs behind the green are not to be used