Isle of Wedmore Bowls Club  

 Coronavirus    update from the Bowls Club 22^nd May

Providing Coronavirus is kept under control and the Government do not re-introduce lock down measures,

The green will be open for outdoor bowling from Monday 1^st June ……… but the Clubhouse will remain closed until further notice ie. no access to toilets and changing rooms.

1.0  Rink times / booking system

The green may only be used by pre booking a rink and in order to book a rink please ring Dave Collins who will maintain the rink booking system and will endeavour to grant bookings on a fair basis throughout each week.  

–  3 rinks will be available for play on each day with 2 hour sessions as follows :-

10.00am to 12 noon  ;  1pm to 3.0pm ;   4.0pm to 6.0pm ; 

The rink times will allow sufficient time between sessions to enable players to arrive/depart safely

whilst maintaining social distancing and comply with Bowls England guidance of only 6 players on the premises at any one time.

A maximum of 6 persons plus Club Official (if required) on Club premises at any one time, no visitors / spectators allowed.

2.0  Playing formats   – always maintain 2m social distancing  

– individuals playing on their own on a single rink

– two individuals from two different households playing on a single rink

– members of the same household on a single rink

3.0  Playing the game

– play with only people from your own household or by yourself,

  or as long as you remain 2m apart, with one person from outside your household.

– groups of more than 2 people must be from the same household.

– do not shake hands etc, remain 2m distancing

– only 1 player to handle the mat during the session.

– 2 jacks (one at each end) to be used and set by one player only during the session.

– when scoring – maintain social distancing ; do not touch opponents bowls ; avoid shot measuring :   

– after the session – sanitise your equipment ; change shoes and leave club immediately.

4.0  Equipment

– only essential items to be utilised :-

–  6 jacks will be in a bucket (filled with water + cleanser) – each rink take 2 jacks and return them to the bucket immediately after play.

–  6 mats will be immersed in a tray (filled with water + cleanser) – each rink take 2 mats and return them to the tray immediately after play.

–  other equipment allowed :–  gloves (if used)  ;   scorecard if required (retained by 1 player) ;

   own bowls  ;   if club loan bowls – to be sanitised before & after play ;   rink markers  ;

– to minimise the risk of infection the following equipment not to be used

scoreboards  ;  bowls pushers  ;  ditch markers  ;  2m distance sticks  ;  chalk  ;

5.0  Clubhouse and facilities

–  the Clubhouse will remain closed until further notice, therefore toilets will not be available.

–  sanitiser to be available for cleaning hands and equipment –  padlocks ; keys ; door handles ;

–  no rubbish bins, players must take rubbish away with them.

–  First aid kit will be located in the equipment shed

6.0  Players recommended actions

–  do not go to the Club if you are experiencing any Coronavirus symptoms

–  if you have played bowls and experience Coronavirus symptoms later, please follow the NHS advice and also inform Dave Collins

–  dress appropriately and avoid the need to change clothes, change shoes immediately before and after your game.

–  travel to the Club on your own or with members of your own household only and do not arrive at the Club more than 10 mins before your allocated booking time.

– we ask that you conform to the strict guidelines as listed not just to keep yourselves safe but your friends also.

7.0  Annual Subscriptions

Members who have not yet paid their outdoor membership subscription this year (reduced fee as previously advised) can do so as follows :-

by Bank Transfer as details in Membership section of this site-please advise Don Trow of any payment

Or if paying by cheque  –  made out to    “The Isle of Wedmore Bowls Club”

and posted to Don Trow.   

As and when the Government and Bowls England make any further relaxation of social measures we will respond by amending our operating procedures according, in the meantime we ask that you strictly adhere to the above guidelines and continue to keep safe. 

Members are requested to continue to keep other members not on email informed.    

Always maintain 2m social distancing

For those members who choose to start playing outdoor again in June – enjoy your bowling and recreation and continue to keep safe

The Isle of Wedmore Bowls Club would like to join the nation in wishing Captain Tom Moore a very Happy 100th Birthday. He is an inspiration to all of us at this time. Tom is from a special generation and one to which most members can relate.

Now is the time when we should be having our AGM, at which I should be retiring as President and handing over my chain of office etc, to my successor. However, present circumstances prevent this happening as normal, so I will take this opportunity to write a few words in this format. Firstly, may I say what a great honour it has been to serve as President of the Club for the past three years.  Mary and I  have always thought how lucky we were to join such a well-organised and friendly club, generally free from those acrimonious disputes which split so many clubs  – and long may that continue. These days of isolation emphasise that it is the social side of being in the club, meeting people, which is more important than whether we win at bowls or not – though of course we all try to win!

It is 15 years since the indoor facilities and clubhouse were opened and I think I can say that we are the envy of most other Clubs around the area. The Club was originally founded to provide opportunities for people to play bowls outdoors, but always remember that it is now the indoor facility that keeps the outdoor green financed despite the original intentions.

I should also like to thank all the members who have served on the Management Committee in that time for keeping the Club operating, particularly those who have served the Club over many years, for example our Treasurer Maureen and Secretary Keith. I must especially single out Keith for his valiant work for 20 years as Secretary. Without his efforts I suspect that the Club would not have survived so well as it has and he deserves our whole-hearted support.

Meanwhile, I trust that you are all keeping safe and well, and I hope to see you all on the green (in the sunshine) as soon as possible so that we can all enjoy our bowls again.

Dennis Stansfield

This coming weekend (Sat 18^th April) would have seen the Opening of the green for the Summer season. Sadly, this is not going to happen, but we must hope that conditions will change to allow some Bowling on the green later in the year. With this in mind, I thought it would be only right to let you know what is happening with regard to the Bowling Green.

 As per normal, more work is done on the green during the winter break than at any other time, and this year has been no exception, despite the restricted controls laid down by government for the safety of all of us. We have had detailed discussions with the contractors who carry out the work on the green, and whilst doing all we can to reduce costs, some work must continue to ensure the green is ready for us when conditions allow.

During the winter we had an unprecedented amount of rain which challenged all the efforts and restricted some of the work we would have liked to have done before COVID 19 struck. Most of the work done on the green is related to removal of thatch (which harbours decease) and aerating the root layer to promote healthy grass. Some treatments have been applied to the green, but avoidance of chemicals is now our priority. To that end we have used organic products and continue with a program of applying “Compost Tea”, which we brew on-site, and adds beneficial bacteria and microbes to the turf and fights off the harmful ones we don’t want. To that effect the green is currently in good health and being maintained in a holding state ready for use as and when we need it.

The recent dry period was a godsend but like all gardeners/green Keepers we are never satisfied and now we want some of that rain again. We are watering the green using the installed irrigation system and not cutting the grass as low as we would for bowling to help maintain the current good condition.

Most of our discussions with the contractor have been via e-mail or phone, but on occasions when we do need to be present at the green at the same time, strict social distancing practices are being observed.

For those who use Facebook we do have an Isle of Wedmore Bowls Club “Members & Friends Group” where we are keeping in touch with others and sharing social information and updates on the state of the green. So, if you have not already joined the group and want to, please feel free join up and keep in touch during this time.

Dave Nicholls (Green Manager)

                                        Isle of Wedmore Bowls Club  

Coronavirus update from the Bowls Club 8^th April

The Clubhouse remains closed until further notice with periodic inspections by Officers of the Club to check the well being of the premises. 

All bowling remains suspended until further notice and we will keep you advised  when we are able to resume.  

As you are aware the cancellation of the Indoor Section AGM left us without the formal vehicle to elect Officers for the Indoor Committee for 2020/21. Indoor members were therefore informed on 27^th March that a new Committee has been formed in order to plan and organise the next 12 month indoor program. If necessary the formality of confirming the Indoor Officers could possibly take place with a  short meeting at the Indoor Social Evening on 28^th August, Coronavirus permitting. 

The EIBA look forward to starting the 2020/21 Competitions on schedule ie. the preliminary round of the Denny Cup is on Saturday 3^rd October 10.0am and the Egham Trophy on Sunday 11^th October, both preliminaries subject to the draw.  

The Club AGM scheduled for 24^th April is cancelled and the existing Management 

Committee have agreed to remain in office and manage the Club’s affairs until the crisis is over and an AGM can be held to elect a new Committee. Further information on this topic will sent to members at the appropriate time.

Outdoor Green – continues to be maintained by ASMC, keeping the green in good order hopefully in readiness for bowls later this summer, whilst minimising costs where possible. 

Whilst it remains to be seen whether there will be any outdoor bowling this summer, outdoor members have been asked to pay a reduced membership fee in order to help reduce the Club’s significant financial losses this year and in particular to help offset the cost of green maintenance. 

The Wedmore Surgery closed on 23^rd March and all patients are diverted to the Axbridge Surgery.

As the Coronavirus situation continues to evolve, we will keep you informed of any further Club changes.

Members are requested to continue to keep other members not on email informed.  

Good luck to Boris and all those fighting the Covid-19 virus

Continue to keep safe

We have recieved this information and wanted to inform all members.

Statement re Temporary Diversion of Patient Care to Axbridge Surgery

As of Monday 23 March and until further notice, Wedmore Surgery will be closed and unmanned.  When the Covid-19 situation settles, we fully intend to re-open.  There are absolutely no plans to close the branch site permanently.  This step has been taken due to the current situation.

Please only call the surgery if you really need us for a medical reason.  Our call volumes are very high and we need to keep the lines as clear as possible for patients who are unwell.  

We are happy to answer questions if you really are unable to source the information you need yourself.  There is lots of information on our website which is updated regularly https://www.axbridgeandwedmoremedicalpractice.nhs.uk/

Thank you for your understanding, patience and kindness during this unprecedented period.   It is very much appreciated by all of our team.

 We really appreciate your support.

 Thank you

 Axbridge and Wedmore Medical Practice Team

                                        Isle of Wedmore Bowls Club  

 Coronavirus    update from the Bowls Club 20^th March

The Clubhouse will be closed from this Sunday evening 22^nd March, with periodic inspections by Officers of the Club to check the well being of the premises.

So, if members need to retrieve any belongings then please do so now.

Indoor Bowls – all indoor bowls is currently suspended until further notice and we will keep you advised if and when we are able to resume any indoor bowls later this summer. 

The cancellation of the Indoor Section AGM next month has left us without the formal vehicle to elect the Indoor Committee Officers for 2020/21, a Committee that needs to be in place in order to plan and organise the next 12 month indoor program. Further information on this topic and our proposals will be included in the next bulletin.

The SCIBA AGM in June is cancelled.

Outdoor Bowls – most league organisations including SBA and Weston & District League have formally advised Clubs that their league and cup season is cancelled, whilst the SBA suggest they will confirm regarding County Competitions, County Tour and County matches in the next few weeks

All the Isle of Wedmore Bowls Club’s organised outdoor matches/ fixtures can now be considered cancelled for the season,  

Should the Virus be under control in 2 to 3 months then the Club could arrange a program of bowls for the remaining month/s of the season. Any membership fee requested, would be reduced to reflect the number of month/s remaining for the season. Sadly, current media forecasts suggest the whole summer will be blank.

Outdoor Green – continues to be maintained by ASMC, keeping the green in good order hopefully in readiness for bowls later this summer, whilst minimising costs where possible. As members will appreciate the Club will have a severe loss of income this summer with loss of membership fees, bar income and fund raising income eg. Ladies Open Triples Tournament, income which assists in covering the significant expense of green maintenance. We should take note, that the Club are only able to continue to cover the current Club outgoings due the sound financial policies of your Management team and the Club’s “current” healthy reserves.    

Members are requested to continue to keep other members not on email informed.  

As the Coronavirus situation continues to evolve, we will keep you informed of any further Club changes.

Continue to keep safe

It is sad but all Outdoor league fixtures have been cancelled for the 2020 outdoor season. We have had confirmation from SBA that all County league matches are cancelled and we now know that the C&D and W&D men’s over 60’s tripples will not take place.

Lets just hope that by July we may be able to get out on the green and at least manage some bowling.

keep well and safe everyone

Here are some pictures from last week end’s Indoor finals

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The Clubhouse still remains open from about 8.30am as normal for members access and is locked up around 6pm. with the situation constantly under review.

However, complying with the latest Government advice to avoid non essential contact, the Club is now closed for all bowling activity. 

It is likely that the Clubhouse will be locked during the day in the very near future,

so if members need to retrieve any belongings then please do so now.

Outdoor membership renewals normally take place during April, which seems highly unlikely now according to the current predictions on restrictions being placed on the country’s population, especially those over 70 years old. It is more likely, if we are lucky, that members will get a part season outdoors and if so, then membership payments will be dealt with nearer that time. 

Members are requested to keep other members not on email informed.

We request that any members who have recently been abroad or in contact with a person who has contracted the virus, stay away from the Club for at least 2 weeks.

As the Coronavirus situation continues to evolve, we will keep you informed of any further Club changes, including the probable delay to the commencement of the outdoor season program.

Keep safe