Category: Club News
SUPPORTING NEWBURY CANCER CARE
The Club is pleased to be able to support this very worthwhile local charity by selling the NCC 2021 Calendar with views of the Newbury area supplied by the Newbury Photography Club. Prior to lockdown, the calendars were selling like hot cakes from the office for just £7 payable on your club card. They make an ideal Christmas gift/stocking filler so don’t forget to buy yours when we return.
2019-2020 CLUB COMPETITION RESULTS
The Club was fortunate in being able to complete the 2019-20 internal Competitions before the second lockdown. To see the winners and runners-up, please go to the Games tab above and scroll down to Club Competition Winners.
Don’t forget to get your entry in to the Competitions Secretary by 27th November to play in this season’s competitions.
NEW COACHING COURSE
Not looking forward to the long winter months, then why not give indoor bowls a try?
Maybe you are looking for exercise and a bit of social contact? Or maybe you are competitive but can’t play your usual sport any more?
Whatever your reason, you can play safely all year round at West Berks Indoor Bowls Club in a Covid secure environment at a level and time that suits you.
A new 10 week coaching course for beginners started on Saturday, 2nd October from 9.00 am – 11.00 am.
It’s not too late to join! Your first taster session is free, but places are limited, so please email email hidden; JavaScript is required for more details.
Important Information For Members – September 2020
The Directors and Bowls Committee have released updated information for the 2020/21 Winter Season, including:
- New Opening Hours
- Rink Allocation
- Bowlr System
- Going Cashless And Tokenless
- Roll-Ups/Practice Sessions
- Rink Fees
- Bar
- Leagues
- Coaching
- Covid Secure
- Volunteer Helpers/Stewards Required
- Payment Of Subs
- Updates
All members should follow these links to view the latest important information:
NEW BOWLS CARPET FOR WBIBC
Our brand new bowling surface was installed in July 2020.. please click here for photos and an account of the installation of our new Greengauge carpet.
NEW HONOURS BOARDS FOR WBIBC
As part of the ongoing refurbishment of the club, the old large wooden Honours boards have been removed and replaced with modern boards. The new boards are printed sheets set inside an acrylic frame. The sheets are easily reprinted each year for a fraction of the cost of updating the old boards.

This printing service is offered by Club Member, Mike Blizzard. Mike has now had over 50 positive enquiries from other bowls clubs. For anyone interested, Mike can be contacted on 07981 757419.
A BIG SHOUT OUT
to Pete Lumber, owner of The Newbury and the 137 Gin Distillery in Bartholomew Street, Newbury. At the start of the pandemic Peter turned his hand to making hand sanitiser for key workers, instead of his usual award-winning gin. He has kindly provided the Club with hand sanitiser completely free of charge, so thank you Peter.
WELCOME BACK – FULL DETAILS
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, 10th 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 10th August until 30th 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 3rd August 2020
Please read the following information fully and carefully:
Booking a Rink
- In the initial phase running up to 30th 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 7th. 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
ALL COACHING COURSES SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Missed our Open Day?
Don’t worry, you can still enjoy a FREE Taster Session. Drop in on any Saturday morning coaching session and try out indoor bowls for free.
Our new 13 week coaching course starts on Saturday, 18th January from 8.30 am – 10.30 am. Course cost is £25 refundable when you take up full membership. Further details from Angela on 07729 183373.
