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April 2021

No.12 April 2021

THE ST IPPOLYTS BOWLER

Return to Play Special

Welcome back everyone – we are pleased to inform you that the green opens on Monday 26th April. So why not come along for a Roll -up ahead of the season start on 2nd May when we take on Welwyn Garden City in a home friendly.

RETURN TO PLAY

There are some important points you need to be aware of for the start of this season – please refer to the Bowls England Step 2 Return to Play Guidance (applicable from 12th April).

Some Key Points to note:

Maximum 24 players permitted on the green at any one time.

Restriction on using alternate rinks has been lifted at Step 2.

The Rule of 6 (or 2 households) applies to each rink on which a Roll -up is played, as it is classed as informal play. As the season progresses, and competitions come into play, please check the rink booking diary for availability before having a Roll-up.

Come dressed to play – although changing rooms can open, it is not possible to socially distance in our changing rooms and it is likely to be the case elsewhere.

Face covering to be worn indoors – please bear in mind you will probably have to go indoors to access toilet facilities at most venues.

Test and Trace – please check-in using one of the QR posters at the green. If you are unable to use the NHS Covid-19 App you will need to sign in the Visitors Book.

Spectators – you will see from the current guidelines that no spectators are allowed around the green – but you can look through the fence!

Outdoor refreshments are permitted.

STEVENAGE & DISTRICT MIXED LEAGUE

Format of play in the league for the entire season shall be 3xTriples. Play will be in greys initially and then revert to whites from 21st June.

There will not be any changes to the format of play in the Knockout Competition. We are drawn against Howard Garden in the preliminary round, to be played by 21st June.

SML have indicated they do not wish refreshments be provided at their matches until 21st June. Please bring your own refreshments.

Unfortunately, Willian have had to withdraw from both the League and the Knockout Competition this season.

HERTFORDSHIRE BOWLS

Handbooks are still in preparation. All competitors should have received an e-mail pointing them to the HB website, along with an extract from the Competitors' Directory to enable named contacts to contact their opponents for the early rounds.

NORTH HERTS LADIES LEAGUE

North Herts Ladies have withdrawn from the NHL League this season.

MENS COUNTY LEAGUE

Fixtures go ahead as planned.

LETCHWORTH & DISTRICT

We have submitted our team entries, but, at the time of writing, competition draws do not appear on the L&D website, and handbooks remain outstanding. L&D has indicated that competitions will be played in the normal format.

We have, once again, agreed to host the NHWBA v L&D event on Tuesday 3rd August.

FRIENDLIES

North Herts Vets are not playing inter-club games until 21st June.

(our away friendly on 26th May is therefore cancelled).

We have opening friendlies at home to Welwyn Garden City on Sunday 2nd May and Hitchin Town on Tuesday 4th May. We will provide tea/coffee & biscuits for both games.

COMMITTEE VACANCIES

The departure of Terry and Muriel last summer has left Mid-Week Captain and Ladies Captain vacancies. Brian Impey and Celia Farley have offered to cover these positions respectively. As it has not been possible to have an AGM, they will cover the roles in an acting capacity.

Chris Gardener has stepped down from the role of Bar Manager and John Farley will cover the position. We would like to thank Chris for all his good work in organising the bar in recent years.

Thanks go to Brian, Celia & John for covering the vacancies.

FIXTURE LISTS

Sorry for the delay in issuing this year's fixtures lists – Chris and

Janet have been busy dealing with some last minute changes.

The website fixtures lists have been amended to reflect changes referred to earlier in this newsletter.

COMMUNICATION

A proposal has been put forward to use WhatsApp as a means of communicating selected teams to members. It would involve a designated member(s) taking an image of the finalised team sheets and sharing them via WhatsApp. It is also a useful means of quickly communicating any last minute changes.

Please let Celia know if you wish to join the WhatsApp group.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL & CLUB COMPETITION FORMS

A reminder that membership fees are due. If you have paid direct into the club bank account would you please leave your renewal form at the clubhouse on your next visit. These are needed to enable the Directory of Members to be updated for this year.

Furthermore, Club Competition entries need to be in by 1st May – Jeff will soon want to make a start on the draws. Singles day is 30th May.

Alternatively, you can submit an image of your form(s) to either Celia or Brian.

BONUS BALL

Payment dates for the rest of the year:

22nd May, 24th July, 2nd October & 11th December.

VICARS CUP

The Vicars Cup is earmarked for Saturday 29th May. A decision on whether this goes ahead will depend on what we are allowed to do under Return to Bowls Step 3 (see below).

FUTURE RETURN TO BOWLS STEPS

Step 3 - 17th May at the earliest:

Larger groups able to gather at clubs

Inside catering permitted with restrictions

Step 4 - 21st June at the earliest:

All restrictions are expected to be lifted

FINALLY - THE GREAT BRITISH WEATHER

If it rains you will not be able to seek cover inside - it would be a good idea to have an umbrella.

We wish everyone good luck for the new season

 

Janet ([email protected])&

Brian ([email protected])

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