Category: General News
Club Re-opens Monday 17th May 2021
Our rinks, bar and restaurant will open to members for our Summer season 17th May – 24th September inclusive.
Current Covid guidelines will allow triples to be played with 6 bowlers from any household.
Our booking system is available online for members to book in advance.
We welcome walk-ins but cannot guarantee availability of rinks or tables.
Whether you are an experienced bowler or someone who has often thought they’d like to have a go you are more than welcome to come and have a taster session, please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required to make an appointment.
We look forward to seeing all our members again and welcoming new members too.
Members Newsletter – Summer Season
Dear Members
I am pleased to be sending you this email with information about the Summer Indoor Bowling Season. Please read it carefully as it contains all the information you need for a better experience when entering and operating within the club.
Summer Opening Times from 17th May to 24th September
The club opens every day at 9.25am Monday to Friday for bowlers. The Restaurant will be open for Breakfasts from 8.30am Monday to Thursday and 9am on Fridays.
Rink Sessions
Monday 9.45am – 11.45am, afternoon 12pm – 2pm, evening 7 – 9pm
Tuesday 9.45am – 11.45am, afternoon 12pm – 2pm, evening 7 – 9pm
Wednesday 9.45am – 11.45am evening 7 – 9pm
Thursday 9.45am – 11.45am, afternoon 12pm – 2pm
Friday 9.45am – 11.45am evening 7 – 9pm
Closed weekends
Bowling
The online booking system will go live on Monday 10th May.
Rinks are limited to six people from any household until 21st June when up to eight people may bowl on a rink. Please look on the website for rink availability and to book. Most morning rinks have been pre booked for the season but there are days where a casual rink is available, which are for anybody to book. Please be aware that other bowlers might be placed with you to make up numbers. There are more rinks available to be booked for the afternoon sessions.
Monday evenings will be returning to triples with drawn rinks on the evening. You must state that you want to be included in the draw prior to turning up by emailing Naomi on her email address email hidden; JavaScript is required for the Monday 17th May session. For future Mondays either ring or email into the club during the week or if you’ve played on the first evening back add your name to the booking list before you leave. Remember numbers are limited to 36 bowlers on a first come basis until 21st June when numbers may increase.
The bowls committee are looking into the possibility of running an “AUSSIE PAIRS” league on Tuesday evenings 7-9pm. If more than 12 teams enter then the league may be extended to Thursday evenings. Further information will follow, but email Naomi email hidden; JavaScript is required to register your interest in joining, so they can start to plan it.
Tuesday 12 – 2pm – Our lady captain Julie Wood and vice-captain Anita Feltham would like to encourage our lady bowlers, whether you are a novice or experienced bowler to join in a Tuesday afternoon bowling session 12pm – 2pm. The idea being to encourage and bond the ladies section in preparation for a return to matches in the future. If you would like to join this group please email Naomi at email hidden; JavaScript is required Julie and Anita will be pleased to see you.
Wednesdays – booked rinks and a chance to play Ladder League and other competitions.
Fridays – Bring a friend to bowl. Possible ‘CHASE THE JACK’ competition. Possibility of a once a month “DRIVE & WINE” event.
The Bowls Committee has agreed to relax the dress code for the Summer season.
The code is smart casual clothing, shorts may be worn but these must be tailored (no cargo shorts).
If you would like to join in with any of the evening suggestions email Naomi email hidden; JavaScript is required so we can gauge interest and numbers.
Health & Safety
When we return to bowls there will be a few changes that you may notice when entering the club to make your experience a little less daunting and more pleasurable.
MASKS will continue to be used until you reach your destination, for example on the green ready to play or at a bar or restaurant table.
ONE WAY SYSTEM– We have decided to remove the one way system around the club, the social distancing 2M rule still applies but we feel there is enough room for members to stand aside and let others by safely, ALWAYS keep to the left!!
You will be able to enter the club without queuing up, on entering please sanitise your hands before touching surfaces etc. There will be sanitiser at several points around the club, the entrance, both stairwells to the lockers and rinks and at the entrance to the restaurant. This should help with the flow of members arriving at the same time. A new temperature sensor will be wall mounted in the porch for you to use if required.
TEST AND TRACE will still be in operation, please scan the QR code on entry. If you haven’t booked to bowl, come into the bar or restaurant you will be asked to give details at the reception desk when entering the club. Booked rinks will be monitored by the management and booked rink leaders.
At the change of session, bowlers should not go down to their rink until all rinks have been vacated.
The Management Committee have asked all staff to carry out twice weekly lateral flow tests and will ask regular volunteers to follow suit. All these measures along with the vaccine programme will enable us to protect our members in the best possible way. We have purchased a commercial Anti-bac atomiser which will be used every 24hours to provide maximum sanitising throughout the club, this has been purchased through Greengauge -a national Bowling carpet specialist.
We ask bowlers, at the end of their playing session, to clean mats and jacks (anti-bac wipes will be on the rink tables), the scoreboards will be cleaned by the green steward. The lead bowler will be responsible for social distancing their group during play. Please read the information sheets on the rink tables to remind you of the rules of play.
Until at least the 21st June the toilets will remain one in, one out and the cloakrooms will not be available. Restaurant and bar tables are to be booked as before but we welcome members walking in but cannot guarantee a table straightaway.
EXIT– you will be able to exit the club through the front door, sanitiser will be available for you just before you open the door to leave.
Restaurant
Michelle is looking forward to welcoming you all back on Monday 17th May.
We continue to adhere to current Covid-19 guidelines by providing 2 tables in the restaurant which are hand sanitising stations , one to use as you enter the restaurant and another to use as you leave to go back to the bar area. Tables and chairs will be sanitised after each use.
The booking of restaurant tables will be as before, via the online booking system or by phone. All information for making a booking can be found in the restaurant booking area online.
It will be Table Service only, with a maximum of 6 people from different households and we will continue to provide a safe and comfortable environment.
The restaurant will open Mon-Thurs for pre booked breakfast for anyone who would like to eat before play starts at 9.45am, this can be booked via the online booking system under restaurant bookings or by phone.
Restaurant Opening Times:
Due to staff taking annual leave there may be a few dates when the restaurant will be closed or a reduced menu offered. We will inform you in plenty of time of these dates so as not to disappoint.
Michelle looks forward to seeing you all and hope members will continue to support our restaurant as before.
Annual General Meeting
The Management Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday 28thMay at 6pm. This has been delayed from its normal time of November due to the pandemic. Numbers will be limited to forty attendees and as there will be eleven officials, we are asking you to register an interest if you wish to come along.
The agenda, financial statement and minutes of the last AGM meeting will be sent out by email in due course.
Finally, I know that many of you will be bowling outside, so I wish those who are, a warm summer. To those of you who are still worried about entering the club, come along and have a cup of tea, it will be good to see you. To all our members whether you are social or bowling members and even if you bowl outside, come and see us, we’ve missed you. There’s nothing like meeting up with old friends.
Best Wishes
Dave Parks
Summer Opening 2021
Dear Members
I am pleased to confirm our Summer opening times from 17th May 2021. They are as follows:
Monday. 9.45am – 11.45am, 12pm – 2pm, 7 – 9pm
Tuesday. 9.45am – 11.45am, 12pm – 2pm, 7 – 9pm
Wednesday. 9.45am – 11.45am, 7 -9pm
Thursday. 9.45am – 11.45am, 12pm – 2pm.
Friday. 9.45am – 11.45am, 7 – 9pm
The club will open at 9.25am for morning sessions and 6.40pm for evening sessions.
Naomi will be in touch with those of you that booked a Summer Rink last year to see if you would like to retain that rink slot this Summer.
If you do not have a booked rink and would like one, please collect a group of at least eight bowlers and reply to Naomi and she will contact you to discuss rink availability.
Please remember that until the 21st June only six members(any household) can bowl on a rink. From the 21st June fours can resume.
The Myclubhouse booking system will go live eight days prior to opening for all other bookings, including the restaurant and bar. Once again bar and restaurant tables may be booked for up to six people from different households.
Membership
Some bowling members did not rejoin last September, but may be interested in rejoining for the remainder of the year. If you know of anyone who wishes to join or rejoin, the membership cost from 17th May to 30th September is £50 (as per E&DIBA pricing policy). Please contact Teresa Hubbins at the following email address: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Collect your Bowls.
Members who are wishing to collect their Bowls for the outdoor season may do so on Friday 26th March between the hours of 10am and 1pm.
We will plan for the future to ensure a safe but more amenable environment for the members to enjoy.
Take care
Dave Parks
Chairman
Our Pathway to Freedom
Dear Members
I hope you are all keeping well.
Our pathway to freedom has been laid out by the Government and I wish to inform you that we will reopen on the 17th May under the conditions approved by the English Indoor Bowls Association.
Indoor bowls clubs will be able to allow up to six bowlers from different households or members from two households on a rink. The Club Bar and Restaurant will be able to serve people indoors via table service for up to six people or members of two households. On the 21st June it’s is hoped everything will return to normal.
The above is subject to the Government not altering the dates.
In the near future we will be asking you if you would like to take up a Summer booked rink. So now is a good time for rink leaders to ring around and check with their friends. If you would like a booked rink we would expect you to have a minimum of eight players.
We are aware that members will want to collect their bowls for the outdoor Summer Season. We will arrange a collection time for late March so that members can come and get them.
We have a lot of planning to do and the future is bright, so take care of yourselves and we will be in touch once we have reviewed our options.
Best Wishes
Dave Parks
Chairman
Club Closure . . .
Dear Members
I’m sure you are all aware by now that Sussex has been placed in Tier 4 by the Government. Therefore the Club will be shut until further notice.
We will make every effort to open immediately once our area is in a lower tier. If you have any questions or queries please email email hidden; JavaScript is required and Naomi will forward the email to me.
Best Wishes for the New Year.
Dave Parks
Chairman
Christmas Opening Hours / Sunday Lunch / Tier 3
Dear Members
GOVERNMENT TIERS ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY
The Government announced today that our area will remain in Tier 2. Therefore our club will continue to open on the existing basis. Unfortunately anybody who lives in a Tier 3 area cannot visit the club until the next Government review in two weeks time.
CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS
December 21st – 23rd Normal opening hours
December 24th – 27th Closed
December 28th – 31st Sessions 9.30 – 11.30am, 11.45 – 1.45pm, 2-4pm
January 1st -2nd Closed
January 3rd onwards – normal opening hours.
SUNDAY ROAST DINNERS
20th December – Roast Beef
Restaurant closed from Monday 21st – 2nd January ( Mince pies, sausage rolls & Cakes will be available from the Bar)
3rd January – Roast Pork
Ring Michelle on 07983 520461 to book your table.
Finally on behalf of the Management Committee and Staff I would like to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and a future to look forward too in the New Year. We are going through difficult times and I thank you all for supporting your club during these times.
Best Wishes
Dave Parks
Chairman
Restaurant Opening Times
DUE TO COVID-19 government guidelines, you can only come into the restaurant if you have pre booked.
If you would like to book a table in the Restaurant please do so via ‘Myclubhouse’.
Tables are automatically booked for one hour however you can adjust the time to book for longer. To comply with Covid-19 guidelines you must be one household or one support bubble. Please enter the full name of every person that is sitting with you, this is to ensure we know exactly who has visited our club. If you would like to book for the current day you will need to phone the club 01323 506009 and ask to speak to Michelle.
Opening Times Week Commencing 7th December
Mon 10 – 2 pm
Tues 10 – 2 pm, 6 – 8pm (EVENING MEAL ROAST LAMB / VEGGIE OPTION, 2 courses £10)
Wed 10 – 2 pm
Thurs 10 – 2 pm
Fri 10 – 2 pm, 6 – 8 pm (EVENING MEAL STEAK & MUSHROOM PIE / VEGGIE OPTION, 2 courses £10 )
Sat CLUB CLOSED
Sun 10 – 2 pm (ROAST CHICKEN )
Opening Times Week Commencing 14th December
Mon 10 – 2 pm
Tues 1pm & 7pm FOR PRE BOOKED CHRISTMAS DINNER 2 courses £17 to include Coffee, mince pie and chocolates. Table entertainment. £5 deposit when booking. Prize for best Christmas outfit !
Click here to view Christmas Dinner Menu
Wed 10 -2pm
Thurs 10 – 2pm
Fri 1pm & 7pm FOR PRE BOOKED CHRISTMAS DINNER 2 courses £17 to include Coffee, mince pie and chocolates. Table entertainment. £5 deposit when booking. Prize for best Christmas outfit !
Click here to view Christmas Dinner Menu
Sat CLUB CLOSED
Sun 10 – 2pm (ROAST BEEF)
Week Commencing 21st to be announced.
COVID Tier . . . Update No.2 . . . Club Re-opening . . .
Dear Members
Firstly, I would be grateful if you could share this information with any member you may know who does not receive email communication or access to our website or Facebook page.
The easiest option would be to do nothing, but we are a members club, and we have a responsibility to do our best for you. So we are pleased to be opening our doors again next Monday 7th December with the first session starting at 9.30am. The restaurant and bar will also be open.
BOWLING.
Organised indoor bowls can take place for 2 people from different households (singles play) or for people from the same household/support bubble on the same rink as long as they do not interact with people on other rinks.
For supervised under 18 bowls activities, these are able to take place with larger group mixing.
You will be able to book an online rink for next week from 9.30am this Thursday morning 3rd December
Session times have changed slightly as there is now only fifteen minutes between sessions.
There are 5 two hour sessions a day, but you may feel two hours is too long for singles play, any session can be halved to one hour. The club will close on Saturdays but will be opened if rink demand out ways the available sessions.
LADDER LEAGUE
As we can only play singles (apart from bubbles) this is the ideal opportunity to contact, organise and play your outstanding Ladder League matches. Make contact with your opponents, arrange an amicable date and either book your own matches, or if you wish to make a booking more than 8 days in advance, email “email hidden; JavaScript is required” with your dates and you will receive a confirmation email of your booking.
RESTAURANT
The restaurant will be open as usual and full opening hours are listed on the restaurant online booking site. Tables have been set out to conform to the “tier two” dining arrangements for restaurants. Members who cannot form a bubble will be seated at a separate table. The tables are set out to make you feel welcome and not isolated.
We will also be offering special lunchtime and evening dining events in the run up to Christmas. These events are limited to a maximum of 40 members.
Please support the Restaurant.
VOLUNTEERS
The management committee are most grateful for the help we have received from all the volunteers who have helped in this difficult year. Whether you are someone who has cleaned the club or marshalled the rinks, we still need you and some more helpers.
To keep our overheads down all our staff, apart from Michelle who is our Assistant Manager and restaurant cook, will remain furloughed.
We have 28 two hour sessions to cover each week.
Therefore we need helpers urgently, not so much to keep an eye out for transgressions of Covid rules, as the Bowling Green will not be as busy, but more to see people in and out of the club and answer the telephone.
Please contact the club on 01323 506009 and leave your details and we will get back to you.
Those of you that offered your services before, I would be grateful if you could confirm that you are still available and which sessions you could cover.
So all that remains now is to get bowling again. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Keep Safe
Dave Parks
Chairman
COVID Tier . . . Update No.1
Dear Members
Last evening I received the following communication from the English Indoor Bowls Association. The following is an abbreviation that outlines how it will affect our club.
Dear EIBA Correspondent,
We have unfortunately not received any formal response to our queries relating to the restrictions to playing Indoor Bowls under the new 3 Tier System, starting on 2nd December 2020.
Therefore, as promised, please find attached a DRAFT Guidance that outlines what each Tier will mean for your club and members. The specific restrictions that we have requested more clarity on for the sport are highlighted in red along with what we have asked.
For Clubs in an area of high risk there are changes required.
Organised indoor bowls will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with). *
For supervised Under 18 and / or Disability specific bowls activities these are able to take place with larger group mixing e.g. Fours format.
Club bars and restaurants can remain open between the hours of 5am to 11pm but are only allowed to have people from the same household / support bubble on a table. Alcohol is only permitted to be sold with a substantial meal. Last orders have to be at 10pm with guest leaving the venue by 11pm.
*The EIBA is seeking clarity on what this actually will allow Indoor Bowls Clubs to provide.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW.
Yesterday morning our Management Committee met to discuss what should happen moving forward. It is unhelpful that the Government have not replied as yet to requests from the EIBA.
It is our intention to open in some capacity and as a minimum the conditions set out above. Indeed its pretty disgusting that crowds of up to 4000 people can attend a football match, yet we are not allowed to have up to 36 people bowling on our green.
Until we hear further from the EIBA whether arrangements can be more relaxed all booked rinks, leagues and competitions are temporarily suspended.
Please do not use the booking system until you are asked to do so.
We cannot stress enough that these prohibitive conditions are laid down by the Government and not us.
A provisional opening date of Monday 7th December has been set for reopening but we will confirm this no later than this Thursday, when we hope to have had a further update from the EIBA.
Finally we have been asked by some members how the club finances are doing during these unfortunate times. I can assure all members that the club is financially sound and this is thanks to those of you that paid their subscriptions in full whether you intended to come into the club or not.
Please take care, a vaccine is on the horizon and hopefully in a few months we can get back to some normality.
Best Regards
Dave Parks
Chairman
