I have been asked to write to you following the recent BCGBA Executive meeting regarding the fees
for 2021. The rules of the Association indicate a fee of £35-00 being the annual fee payable by
Member Clubs.
The BCGBA Executive committee is not able to alter the fee without a rule change at the Annual
General Meeting, so the fee, therefore, remains at £35-00. However, following analysis of the current
financial position and to help struggling clubs we have agreed to subsidize the fee for 2021.
Member clubs who have paid the fee for 2020 (to be confirmed by Members Counties by 31 st
January) will therefore have a subsidy in 2021.
Clubs who have not paid the 2020 fee to their County association by this date will not be able to take
advantage of the subsidy and must pay full fees for both 2020 and 2021. Clubs who have not paid
will remain on the suspended list until the fee for 2020 and 2021 is paid and will not be able to enter
any competitive bowling until this has been paid.
Member Clubs who have paid the 2020 fees in full, will pay just £20-00 in 2021 adding up to a total
of £55-00 over the 2 years in question. This £20-00 must be paid in accordance with normal County
Association collection methods and submitted to BCGBA as per the rules.
Many thanks,
Mark Bircumshaw (On behalf of the Executive Committee)
Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country.
Outdoor sports venues, including tennis courts, golf courses, and swimming
pools, must close. This means all bowling greens should close until
restrictions are lifted.
Exercise What you can do.
Exercise You can continue to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household
or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside
your local area. You should maintain social distancing. See exercising and meeting other
people.
Exercising and meeting other people You should minimize time spent outside your home. It
is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your
household or support bubble.
You can only leave your home to exercise, and not for the purpose of recreation or leisure
(e.g. a picnic or a social meeting).
This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
You can exercise in a public outdoor place:
by yourself
with the people, you live with
with your support bubble (if you are legally permitted to form one)
in a childcare bubble where providing childcare
or, when on your own, with 1 person from another household Public outdoor places
include:
parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests
public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them)
the grounds of a heritage site
When around other people, stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household - meaning the
people you live with - or your support bubble. Where this is not possible, stay 1 metre apart with
extra precautions (e.g. wearing a face covering). You must wear a face-covering in many indoor
unless you are exempt. This is the law. Read guidance on face coverings.
If you break the rules
The police can take action against you if you meet in larger groups. This includes breaking up illegal
gatherings and issuing fines (fixed penalty notices). You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200
for the first offense, doubling for further offenses up to a maximum of £6,400. If you hold or are
involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.
Essential maintenance can continue but all social distancing and social interaction rules must
apply.
Only 2 people from a different household, time should be kept to a minimum and sanitation
measures maintained and face covering should be worn.c
Covid 19 England lockdown 5th November 2020 New National Restrictions from 5 November
Following a review of the guidance issued all community sporting activity is to close (Indoor and Outdoor). There are a few exemptions, but these do not apply to bowls.
We will continue to monitor any changes to the guidelines issued and update accordingly. You can leave home to exercise, but this does not include a community or amateur sports. All Greens should therefore close until further notice.
Key Headline message
When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. That is why, from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December, the Government is taking the following action:
- Requiring people to stay at home, except for specific purposes.
- Preventing gathering with people you do not live with, except for specific purposes.
- Closing certain businesses and venues.
Mark Bircumshaw
3rd November 2020
Please be aware that the latest guidance has been issued by the government
With the end of the season fast approaching we hope that members are able to get out and enjoy the remainder of the year in a safe controlled way.
An outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has been identified in parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire, Preston, and West Yorkshire. The government and relevant local authorities are acting together to control the spread of the virus.
If you live in these parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire, Preston, and West Yorkshire, you should follow these rules when meeting people who you do not live with. There is separate guidance to cover Blackburn with Darwen, Oldham, and Pendle (where additional restrictions apply to some parts) and Leicester.
The national easements for 15 August will not apply to the affected local areas listed below. The business closures section below lists the types of businesses and venues that must remain closed in these areas.
Affected local areas
- Greater Manchester:
- City of Manchester
- Trafford
- Stockport
- Oldham (see separate guidance)
- Bury
- Wigan – to align with the rest of the country on 26 August 2020
- Bolton
- Tameside
- Rochdale
- Salford
- Lancashire:
- Blackburn with Darwen (see separate guidance)
- Burnley
- Hyndburn
- Pendle (see separate guidance)
- Preston
- Rossendale – to align with the rest of the country on 26 August 2020
- West Yorkshire:
- Bradford
- Calderdale
- Kirklees
Local restrictions
Social contact
Your household is only the people you live with, or people within your support bubble. A support bubble is where a household with one adult joins with any other household. Households within a bubble can still visit each other, stay overnight, and visit public places together.
If you live in one of the affected areas, in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, you must not:
- host people, you do not live within your home or garden, unless they’re in your support bubble
- meet people you do not live with inside a private home or garden, except where you have formed a support bubble (or for other limited exemptions to be specified in the law)
- visit someone else’s home or garden even if they live outside of the affected areas
You should not:
- socialize with people you do not live within other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centers, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions. You may attend these venues with people you live with (or are in a support bubble with) but should avoid interaction with individuals or groups from other households. If you run such business or organize events on their premises, you should take steps to ensure people do not interact with people they do not live with, in line with COVID-19 secure guidance
- visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances
The police will be able to take action against those that break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices starting at £100. People aged 18 or over can be fined:
- £100 for the first offense, lowered to £50 if paid within 14 days
- £200 for the second offense, then doubling for each further offense up to a maximum of £3,200
People can still come inside your home or garden for specific purposes set out in law:
- where everyone in the gathering lives together or is in the same support bubble
- to attend a birth at the mother’s request
- to visit a person who is dying (the visitor can be someone the dying person lives with, a close family member, friend, or if none of those is visiting, anyone else)
- to fulfill a legal obligation
- for work purposes, or for the provision of voluntary or charitable services (see guidance on working safely in other people’s homes)
- for the purposes of education or training
- for the purposes of childcare provided by a registered provider
- to provide emergency assistance
- to enable one or more persons in the gathering to avoid injury or illness or to escape the risk of harm
- to facilitate a house move
- to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person
- to continue existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children where the children do not live in the same household as their parents, or one of their parents.
Business and venue closures
The following settings must not open for all areas covered by this page:
- casinos
- skating rinks
- bowling alleys
- indoor play areas, including soft play areas
- exhibition centers and conference halls
We advise that the following settings and activities should not reopen or restart for all areas covered by this page:
- indoor performances (even with a social distanced audience)
- close contact services, which are any treatments on the face such as eyebrow threading or make-up application
- wedding receptions and celebrations
In Bradford (within the limits of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council), the following must also remain closed:
- indoor gyms
- indoor fitness and dance studios
- indoor sports courts and facilities
- indoor swimming pools, including indoor facilities at water parks
Changes in restrictions
Can I meet people in my home?
People from different households must not meet in a private home or garden. You must not:
- host people, you do not live within your home or garden, unless they’re in your support bubble
- meet people you do not live within their home or garden
- travel outside of these areas to meet people in their home or garden
Your household is only the people you live with or people within your support bubble. A support bubble is where a household with one adult joins with any other household. Households within a bubble can still visit each other, stay overnight, and visit public places together.
Can I meet people outdoors?
You should only socialize in outside public places (like parks) in groups of up to 6 people from multiple households. Gatherings larger than 6 should only take place if everyone is exclusively from 2 households or support bubbles. You should always socially distance from people outside of your household.
The police will be able to take action against those that gather in groups larger than 30 people, including asking people to disperse and issuing £100 fixed penalty notices.
You should always socially distance from people outside of your household.
- Greater Manchester:
- City of Manchester
Trafford
Stockport
Oldham
Bury
Wigan
Bolton
Tameside
Rochdale
Salford - Lancashire:
- Blackburn with Darwen
Burnley
Hyndburn
Pendle
Rossendale - West Yorkshire:
- Bradford
Calderdale
Kirklees
SOCIAL CONTACT
- meet people you do not live with inside a private home or garden, except where you have formed a support bubble (or for other limited exemptions to be specified in the law)
- visit someone else’s home or garden even if they live outside of the affected areas
- socialize with people you do not live within other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centers, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions. You may attend these venues with people you live with (or are in a support bubble with), but should avoid interaction with individuals or groups from other households. If you run such a business or organization, you should take steps to ensure people do not interact with people they do not live with, in line with COVID-19 secure guidance
CAN I STILL MEET PEOPLE OUTDOORS?
From tomorrow 11th July all clubs affiliated to Greater Manchester will be allowed 30 people including players on the green at there venue, The number of players on the green will be determined by the club after doing a risk assessment to ensure that all their members can maintain the social distancing guidelines, all other measurers issued previously are still in place, only club members are allowed to play & club comps are allowed but no competitive games with other clubs are to take place until the BCGBA has issued its next update. Further updates will follow shortly.
The detailed article can be downloaded HERE, but these are the summary points:
- The government has advised that bowling greens and other similar venues that allow singular sport can open from Wednesday, May 13th
- BCGBA has advised that during this phase only 6 people are permitted on the green at a time
- A club schedule of attendance (names, dates & times of attendance must be recorded) should be produced to ensure limited attendance and to allow tracking should the eventuality arise
- Club to appoint a central contact for recording
- Only club members allowed on the green
- Ensure that your insurance cover is up to date
- CLUB BY CLUB ASSESSMENT IS REQUIRED - each situation may be different and your club may not support the process
- Club buildings and toilets to remain closed.
Current Government advice is that bowling greens can open from Monday 1st June 2020
This Guidance is for English clubs only (at present) Recommendations to consider before opening your green
- Please be aware that this revised guidance is based on the announcements on Thursday, additional changes announced today will be reviewed as soon as we get the full updated guidance
- The maximum allowed to socially gather is 6 people – this is the maximum allowed at a green and includes anyone at the side of the green
- Test and Trace guidance should be followed if a case is identified and within your club and NHS111 guidance followed in terms of self-isolation (7 or 14 days as directed)
- We have one club where a member has tested positive this afternoon 30/5/2020
- Be aware that not following the guidance puts your club at risk and potential fines can be imposed by the police for non-compliance
• This notice can be revised at any time should circumstances change
STAY ALERT – CONTROL THE VIRUS – SAVES LIVES
Phase 2 • Limited Green Opening, Exercise and Practice (Full Social distancing must be maintained 2 metres distance)
- During Phase 2 a maximum of 6 people allowed on the green at any one time
- Groups should be limited to a maximum of 3 groups (total of 6 people)
- Example 1 family group of 3 and 1 group of 2
- Example 2 Family group of 3 plus one from outside family group, one other group of 2 (Maximum 6 people)
- Groups should maintain social distancing and keep up to 4 metres between groups to allow for social distancing between groups.
- Club Schedule of Attendance (names, dates & times must be recorded) produced to ensure limited attendance should be maintained (record of green availability should be maintained)
- Club to appoint a central contact (To enable track and trace records should this be required)
- Only Club members allowed on a Green
- Ensure that your insurance cover is up to date, Endsleigh Cover is dependant on membership of BCGBA (club fee £35.00)
-
Each Club will have to make their own assessment of the safety in opening your green
- Arrangements should be made to manage the social distancing and all other hygiene procedures
- You will need to ensure you have your landlord’s permission to open the green if this applies
- The maintenance schedule will need to be reviewed to ensure green is available for play prior to opening
- Club Buildings and toilets can open see separate guidance sheet – limited opening
This Action Plan/ Risk Assessment should be used in conjunction with advice from the Government and is intended as a guide to clubs to safely consider all the risks associated with reopening your green. This does not override your landlords right to keep the green closed
Current Government advice is that bowling greens can open from Monday 1st June 2020
This Guidance is for English clubs only (at present) Recommendations to consider before opening your green
Be aware that this guidance could change at any point and could be withdrawn if the risk level increases
Crown Green Bowls - The Opening of Greens GUIDANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS:
- Only use your equipment brought from home (jacks, mats, bowls, etc.)
- Sterilize equipment before and after use
- Keep strict social distancing measures in place - you must remain at a safe distance (2 metres) from people outside of your household.
- Follow strong hygiene practices at every opportunity - wash your hands when you get home
- You must have permission from your club to use the green
- Your club will have an agreed process for you to agree a time for you to access the green
- Once you have completed your session, please depart as soon as you safely can to enable others to access the green.
- You may only play on the green if you are a member of the club
- Limited access to clubhouse, walkways, and toilets. Ensure risk assessment and notices are displayed on hygiene and handwashing. DO NOT
-
Being careful about touching solid surfaces e.g. gates, seating, doors, etc.
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home, avoid touching your face and take hand sanitizer with you to use while out if possible NOTE FOR CLUBS:
- Your Club must have written authority from the landlords of the green that you can gain access to the green under the strict guidelines laid out in this document and then follow all guidelines. • It is the clubs’ responsibility to decide if your facility is open. • Please check that your insurance is valid
- You must have a clear process for knowing who Is playing at the green, make this as clear as you can for your club members to understand and abide by.
- Please place a sign in clear view of all visitors of the guidelines set out above.
- Do not use the clubhouse and any toilet facilities connected with the Club, ensuring there is clear signage to state this
- Do not use club equipment
- Do not organize any competitive bowls - No Competition’s, Leagues Matches, or Tournaments
- Only Club Members will be allowed on your Green.
This Action Plan/ Risk Assessment should be used in conjunction with advice from the Government and is intended as a guide to clubs to safely consider all the risks associated with reopening your green. This does not override your landlords right to keep the green closed
3
Current Government advice is that bowling greens can open from Monday 1st June 2020
This Guidance is for English clubs only (at present) Recommendations to consider before opening your green
Green opening plan – Club Risk Assessment - post coronavirus (Some points for consideration).
Date of risk review.............................. Compiled by.................. Date............. Green opening plan – post coronavirus Reviewed by.................. Date.............
Risk (from risk Actions to treat risk Person Timetable for Monitoring of risk assessment) responsible implementation
Social distancing
This Action Plan/ Risk Assessment should be used in conjunction with advice from the Government and is intended as a guide to clubs to safely consider all the risks associated with reopening your green. This does not override your landlords right to keep the green closed
4 Only partake in such activities alone, with members of your household, or with one other person from outside your household, while practicing social distancing Clubs/ Committee To Be Agreed with All Players
Equipment
Players should bring their own equipment, bowls, jacks, and mat where possible. This should avoid intergroup contact. Equipment should be cleaned prior to and after a session. Clubs/ Committee To Be Agreed to All Players
Juniors Under 18’s should only play within a household group, maximum of 3 people plus one other. Clubs/ Committee To Be Agreed
Family Groups
Family groups can play together but should minimize potential contact with any other group on the green. (Single Household) plus one other. Clubs/ Committee To Be Agreed to All Players
Over 70’s
This group has additional risks due to the nature of the virus and additional conditions should be adopted to keep everyone safe. Clubs/ Committee To Be Agreed to All Players
Opening of buildings
Risks should be assessed once permission is agreed to open club facilities. The opening of toilets will need to be assessed separately along with facilities for handwashing and cleaning. Clubs/ Committee To Be Agreed Club Committee
Current Government advice is that bowling greens can open from Monday 1st June 2020
This Guidance is for English clubs only (at present) Recommendations to consider before opening your green
Risk (from risk
Monitoring of risk assessment) Actions to treat risk
Spectators / Markers
This Action Plan/ Risk Assessment should be used in conjunction with advice from the Government and is intended as a guide to clubs to safely consider all the risks associated with reopening your green. This does not override your landlords right to keep the green closed
5 As there is no competition no spectators or markers permitted Clubs/ Committee To be agreed
Use additional boxes to record any local issue that may relate you to your green
Person responsible
Timetable for implementation
Current Government advice is that bowling greens can open from Monday 1st June 2020
This Guidance is for English clubs only (at present) Recommendations to consider before opening your green
-
Following the update guidance issued this week 23rd June 2020, there is currently little difference to updates issued with a few minor additions. The key to opening is that records are available if track and trace require information on who has attended the green. Booking or attendance lists with contact details required. Some other minor changes have been included.
ALL PREVIOUS SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDANCE AND ADVICE REMAINS IN FORCE
- Social distancing 2 metres or 1 metre plus mitigation (this would require additional measures such as face coverings to allow 1 metre, and/or ensuring good hygiene and cleaning is maintained as all times)1
- Maximum of 6 people allowed on or around the green at any one time (see family groups below)
- Multi Green venues permitted with maximum 6 each green provided groups are separated and entrance and exits routes are displayed to avoid cross-contact between groups
- Players should maintain social distancing and keep up to 4 metres between groups to allow for social distancing between groups
- Club Schedule of Attendance (names, dates & times must be recorded) produced to ensure limited attendance should be maintained. Club contact records telephone numbers and email contacts collected
- Arrangements should be made to manage the social distancing and all other hygiene procedures
- Club Buildings and toilets can open see separate guidance sheet/risk assessment (Phase 2) – limited opening
- Family groups – 2 family groups can meet up of any size, but all other guidance applies on social distancing.
- Common sense applies. Players take responsibility for their own actions.
- Ensure that your insurance cover is up to date, Endsleigh Cover is dependent on membership of BCGBA (club fee £35.00 has been paid)
- Club Competitions, single’s and pairs
-
- Club Competition organisers should be aware of the issues regarding Covid19 guidance*
- Only Club members allowed. (External bowlers not permitted)
- Paperwork* and risk assessment* completed and a copy forwarded to County Secretary2.
- *The Club Secretary and or Chairman to sign the COVID Competition action plan/risk assessment detailing how the competition will be run safely and within the current social distancing arrangements. All competition administrators to sign that they understand the action plan to ensure they fully understand the regulations.
Be aware that this guidance could change at any point and could be withdrawn if the risk level increases
Phase 2a Green Opening June 27th, 2020
Equipment
YOU ARE NOW ABLE TO USE CLUB COMMUNAL EQUIPMENT HOWEVER A STRICT CLEANING
PLAN SHOULD BE DISPLAYED AND BE CLEAR TO ALL PLAYERS.
- EQUIPMENT TO BE DISINFECTED/CLEANED BEFORE AND AFTER EACH GAME IS COMPLETED IE. JACKS AND MATS.
- SHAKING OF HANDS – USE APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVE METHODS. ie. elbows, thumbs up, etc.
- Follow strong hygiene practices at every opportunity - wash your hands when you get home
- Once you have completed your session, please depart as soon as you safely can to enable others to access the green.
- Limited access to clubhouse, walkways, and toilets. Ensure risk assessment and notices are displayed on
hygiene and handwashing No spectators permitted other than internal competition organizers and card markers (total 6 persons currently) THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:
- Being careful about touching solid surfaces e.g. gates, seating, doors, etc.
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home, avoid touching your face and take hand sanitizer with you to use while out
-
You must have a clear process for knowing who Is playing at the green, make this as clear as you can for your club
members to understand and abide by.
- Please place a sign in clear view of all visitors of the guidelines set out above.
Shared Public greens – ensure you have an attendance list of your club members who have attended should this information be required. You are only responsible for your club member's information.
OPEN COMPETITIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE CONSTRAINTS & REGULATIONS ON TESTING WHICH APPLY TO ELITE SPORTS**.
**ELITE SPORT IS LIMITED TO PROFESSIONAL SPORT COMPETITIONS
WE STILL AWAIT GUIDANCE ON THE OPENING OF COMMUNITY LEVEL SPORT WHICH WILL DICTATE IF WE CAN ALLOW COMPETITION BETWEEN CLUBS.
The key criteria appear to be.
Clubs should not provide mats, jacks, tapes, etc - these must be provided by the individual who is exercising
No competitive bowling to take place - no club comps, league comps, etc.
The document is stating that it is very much the responsibility of each club to determine whether or not to open their facility. GMCCGBA sentiment is that we should stay home and stay safe - we'd rather everyone not send a bowl this year if that means that as many as possible may do so next year. The guidance on the link above has a club risk assessment form and points of consideration. Ultimately, please respect the decision made by your club.
We recognize that each club is different - from parks, greens to greens that are part of a larger sporting facility - as such, the ability to provide bowling is a different assessment for each club. We must ask you to err on the side of caution when carrying out these assessments; any undue pressure put on individuals to open the green is completely out of order and should be reported to your club's safeguarding officer.
Stay safe everyone.