BOWLS GETS THE GREEN LIGHT

Following the First Minister’s announcement earlier this afternoon I can confirm that we are allowed to open the greens to resume playing bowls from Friday 29th May 2020.

Bowls is a fantastic sport which is also a good form of exercise and helps ease any mental health stresses. Knowing you can get back on the greens with your mates, having that banter and a chat gives us all something to look forward to.

As stated earlier the ‘booking a rink’ on the Clubs website will go ‘live’ tonight at 19:00. If you are not yet signed up then I urge you to do so. It’s great to see that we currently have 100 members signed up on the website.

Please remember you have to book a rink in order to play. DO NOT TURN UP AT THE CLUB WITHOUT A BOOKING as you will be refused entry. There are NO SPECTATORS OR VISITORS ALLOWED.

Also note that the CLUB IS NOT OPEN – we are only allowed to open the greens for bowling. Can’t stress this enough that we have to stick to the rules and guidelines that were issued by Bowls Scotland so let’s make sure we all do.

So finger on the trigger for 19:00 tonight and I’ll see the first players at 10:00 on Friday.

 

Bowls Scotland Update

Bowls Scotland have issued updated guidelines at 12:00 today. There are two very important updates.

Over 70’s who are fit and healthy are allowed to bowl but it is ultimately their decision if they wish to. If an over 70 with underlying health issues, is isolating or shielding they have to remain indoors as per the current Government guidelines.

Aged 16 and under are not allowed to play unless they are with a parent/guardian, who is either part of the rink or has to stand at the side.

Should anyone have any questions relating to these changes then please let me know.

Please check previous updates regarding the rules and guidance that have to be adhered to if you fall under these two changes.

Afternoon all.

Scotland’s First Minister has announced today that as from the 28th May, bowls can resume.

We now await a statement from Bowls Scotland with the guidelines that Clubs have to follow. The Committee will be meeting to discuss further.

We will update you all once we have more information.

Important Club Update

Due to the current circumstances with the Club being shut with this lockdown, our Treasurer Graeme Eddington, has had to review our finances for the year ahead.

As things stand our only source of income is from membership fees. We have had a great response from members and as at Wednesday evening we have received £8,500 in fees. That’s just under a THIRD of the total that we hope to bring in.
Graeme has managed to deal with our creditors and without going into detail we have a few things deferred for a period of time but there are certain bills that we are unable to remove from the business. Our outgoings for the next 3 months have been reduced by roughly 70% to assist us through this period. In summary, without any more fees coming in and the bills outgoing we have 3 MONTHS until the money runs out. We need your help in order for YOUR Club to survive. If we can get everyone to pay their fees then the better chance we have to survive this difficult period and save YOUR Club.

There are a few options to pay fees:

• Should you need the bank details then please contact either Davy Connelly (07837838510), Graeme Eddington (07894008499) or John Green (07984444400).
• Cash or cheque can be dropped off through the Club letterbox or cheque posted to the Club.
• I can arrange a meet or a visit to your home where I can pick up cash or cheque. A receipt will be given for your fees.

The Committee would like to thank all members who have paid fees and hope that those still to pay will do so ASAP. However, due to what’s going on, if anyone is struggling to pay fees then please get in touch with Davy, Graeme or John where we can discuss the options possible. We certainly DO NOT want to lose any members.

This is YOUR Club and in order for us to survive, get bowling again and trade as a business we really do need YOUR help and support.

After the Government announcement on Friday regarding the closure of pubs, clubs, restaurants and gyms then we have no option but to close our doors until further notice.

Any functions that were booked over the next month have obviously been cancelled. A member of the committee with be in touch with the member who booked the function. The Cabaret that was booked for Saturday 28 March is also cancelled. Please contact John House for a full refund of the tickets purchased. As you can probably work out, the Club will be missing out of a considerable amount of income over this closure period so it is vitally important that our members pay their fees for this season. Payments can be made online so if that’s your preference please contact our secretary Davy Connelly or our treasurer Graeme Eddington for the bank details. Add your name in the reference field of your transaction so that the Finance Team can track payments. Another option is that you enclose a cheque in an envelope with your name and either post it to the Club or hand deliver thru the letterbox at the Club. Another option is to arrange for a committee member to pick up either your cheque or cash from your home. A receipt will be given if a home visit is your choice. Or another option is to arrange to meet a Committee member to pay your fees. A receipt will be given if this is choice.

If you are struggling to pay your fees, due to the current situation, then please contact Davy or Graeme. Some of you may say – why pay my fees when there is no bowling and we understand but in order for YOUR Club to survive these unprecedented circumstances we need everyone to pull together and support the Club. We still have bills to pay and with the loss of trading we need everyone to pull together, pay your fees and once these circumstances clear we can all get back to our daily routines and go bowling.

Any members who are not on this Facebook group will be receiving a phone call from Davy Connelly or John Green on Monday evening to explain what has been said above and to discuss the options for paying fees.

For our older members should any of you require any help or shopping, etc then please contact a member of the Committee. We, as a Committee, urge everyone to adhere to the Government guidelines and to stay safe. The more we act on the guidelines then the quicker we will get thru this.

The Committee are meeting again on Wednesday so a further update will be issued then but should anything change before then you will be informed. Let’s stick together, work together, support each other and we will all get thru this.