Bowling Their Way Back The Best They Can

Published on: 31 May, 2020
Updated on: 31 May, 2020

People who enjoy playing bowls must be yearning to get back on their greens now summer is approaching.

Two of Guildford’s club have reported on their plans to resume playing, adhering to the rules of lockdown.

Playing again at Merrow Village Bowls Club.

David Raison of Merrow Village Bowls Club, said: “Although our club, like others, is restricted by the current Covid-19 regulations, we have recently been able to re-open our green for limited play, in line with Bowls England advice.

“Our green-keeper has made four rinks available, with a 4.5 metre gap between each, with rinks being booked in advance.

“Players are provided with a mat and two jacks, all cleaned before use.

“At the time of writing, we are only allowing players from the same household on a rink. Government guidance does allows two people from different households to play on one rink and we are looking at how to facilitate this at our club.

“We also have a ‘green steward’ on duty for all sessions of play to ensure that the rules are adhered to.

“Although we are running under strict regulation, we still welcome enquiries from anyone wanting to try their hand at bowls, as we are still able to provide one-to-one coaching within the current regulations.”

A collage of images from Merrow Villages Bowls Club from past seasons.

Normally at Merrow there are club nights every Tuesday and Thursday during the season, which usually runs from the middle of April to late September.

Free coaching is normally available on Tuesday evenings but there is always a club member there to help you if required. Individual coaching can also be arranged with one of our two qualified coaches.

Its open day is still scheduled for Sunday, June 21, if permitted.

David Raison adds: “Bowls is a very social sport attracting players of all ages, young and old. To begin with, you only need some flat-soled shoes or trainers, and the club can provide bowls for you to try. Membership is half price for your first year, at £35 per person.”

More details on its website.

Burpham Bowling Club has also taken its “first, tentative steps towards resuming bowls – all under guidance of both UK Government and Bowls England guidelines,” reports member Ian Mackrell.

Getting back to playing bowls at Burpham.

He adds: “Our celebratory match against a full Chelsea Pensioners team on July 22 has had to be re-arranged for next year.

“It would have been a great sight – a coach load of them all dressed in their red regalia, descending on Sutherland Memorial Park in Burpham. We’d have wanted and hopefully secures, lots of media coverage, and Guildford Borough Council was fully aware and supportive too.

“Another, major, fundraising event, our Four Greens Challenge Walk (Burpham, Stoke Park, Castle Green, Merrow), where we hoped to raise a significant amount of money for our proposed building conversion project, is deferred until September.

“We’re awaiting to hear from London Marathon Charitable Trust if it will fill the funding gap in our £79,000 building conversion project.

“We’ve raised £25,000 as a club, Guildford Borough Council has committed a further £25,000 and the National Lottery will finance £10,000 for installation and outfitting of a new, disability accessible kitchen once the building conversion is complete.

“Work is scheduled to start in the off-season, provided the project is fully funded of course.

“2020 was supposed to be, and may well still be, a key year for our club.”

More details on its website.