TO ALL MEMBERS – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
2020/21 WINTER SEASON
NEW OPENING HOURS
Please note that because of the current Covid situation the club is unable to maintain the opening hours of last winter season. Each session now has to be manned by a member of staff and a volunteer helper in order to keep the club Covid secure and all members safe.
RINK ALLOCATION FROM 12th OCTOBER
The Bowls Committee were tasked with formulating a Rink Allocation incorporating Leagues, Seymour Weller, Spoons, Roll-ups and Coaching within the constraints of restricted opening hours, 4 rinks only and no more than 6 players per rink.
Please study the enclosed Rink Allocation carefully and note the changes, particularly those affecting your time at the club.
We believe this Allocation to be the least disruptive but appreciate that it may not please all members.
BOWLR SYSTEM
The club has purchased the Bowlr membership and league management system designed to help clubs run more efficiently. It will save time and money by streamlining our booking system, membership administration and league management. The system may be viewed on our website www.wbibc.co.uk then click on the Bowlr tab.
Bowlr will be rolled out in stages. There is no online booking at the moment but we will keep you informed. Please be patient as it will be a learning curve for members and staff.
GOING CASHLESS AND TOKENLESS
As part of the regime to keep the club Covid secure, cash and tokens will no longer be accepted for rink fees and bar purchases.
Any unused tokens may be returned to the office for credit to your club card.
**LEAGUES
Rink fees will be taken from your club card by the office AFTER you play.
**ALL OTHER SESSIONS
Remember to bring your club card with you and pay BEFORE you play.
For further information, please read the enclosed Question & Answer sheet.
ROLL-UPS/PRACTICE SESSIONS
Roll-up sessions will continue to be free up to and including Saturday, 3rd October.
From Monday, 5th October all roll-up sessions will need to be paid for, using your club card, BEFORE you play.
RINK FEES FROM 5th OCTOBER
1 hour – £1.80
2 hours – £3.20
Available sessions may be viewed on the website and booked by calling the office on 01635 34840 between 9 am – 1 pm weekdays.
BAR
Members will continue to benefit from a 10% discount on drinks purchased from the bar with their club card.
Following the EIBA statement of 23rd September regarding the ‘Rule of Six’, the club is pleased to offer an end of rink bar service and a table service but only on designated tables seating a maximum of 6 people.
LEAGUES
Our League Secretary, Peter Sweeney, has confirmed that all Leagues are able to run from Monday, 12th October. To enable this the Bowls Committee had to make changes to the format of some leagues to take account of the Covid restrictions, new opening hours, less teams and 4 rinks. The main changes are the Rinks Leagues become Triples, Mixed are now Open and two afternoon leagues have been brought forward to 12.30 pm. The plan is to run 3 x 7-week league cycles.
The leagues will be run using the Bowlr Management System. Bowlr will produce the Team sheets which will be sent out shortly to Team Captains for completion and onward transmission to team players.
Please note: for LEAGUES ONLY your rink fee will be taken from your club card by the Office AFTER you have played. Please read the enclosed Q&A sheet.
LEAGUE ENTRY FEES AND PRIZE MONEY
Because this is such a strange, unprecedented year, the Bowls Committee felt it was only fair not to charge a league team entry fee. There will, therefore, be no prize money for this coming season but we hope that the leagues will continue to be played for as competitively as before.
Entry fees already paid will be returned to the Team Captains.
SEYMOUR WELLER AND SPOONS FROM 12th OCTOBER
These sessions need not be pre-booked. Players should arrive with their club card to pay the rink fee at the Reception till. Play is limited to Triples i.e. a maximum of 24 players per session.
COACHING
There will be no Open Day but our coaches have kindly agreed to run a limited coaching session on Saturday mornings for anyone wishing to learn.
The reward system for recruiting a new member is currently suspended.
COVID SECURE
Our main concern is your health and well-being. The management will continue with all the Covid secure precautions now in operation, but you must play your part to keep us all safe:
*Do not come to the club if you are feeling unwell
*Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before the start of your session
*Before you enter the club you should be wearing a face covering. This may only be removed once play has commenced or when taking a beverage in a designated area
*Give your name to Reception for Test & Trace purposes
*The temperature check in the foyer is mandatory. If you fail the check an alarm will sound and you will be asked to leave.
*Sanitise your hands
*Maintain 2m social distancing at ALL times, especially on the green
*Follow the one-way system and rink procedure
Very soon the above instructions will become second nature.
VOLUNTEER HELPERS/STEWARDS REQUIRED
Can you give a little bit back to the club? Light duties, checking members in, sanitising touch points etc. afternoons from 12 – 12.30 pm and evenings from 6 – 6.30 pm. NO till work. Please enter your details on the list on the desk. Thank you.
REMINDER
If you pay your subs of £95 for this year before 31st October you will receive £30 back on your club card. Any full returning member re-joining after this date will pay the full £95, regardless of the month of re-joining.
UPDATES
We know there are a lot of changes for you to take in but then we are living through changing times. The Directors and Bowls Committee will do their best to keep all members updated and information will be posted on the website, the TV screens in the club, by email etc.
Please bear in mind that this club is run by volunteers and three part-time staff. Those involved have put in a great deal of time and effort so that you can continue to enjoy our great game.
If you have any concerns or would like further clarification, please speak to a Director or a Bowls Committee Member, or email email hidden; JavaScript is required. Please also make use of the Suggestion Box.
Please stay safe and stay well
The Directors
The Bowls Committee
24 September 2020
