Cookies

We use essential cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. These will be set only if you accept.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, see our cookies page.

Essential Cookies

Essential cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. For example, the selections you make here about which cookies to accept are stored in a cookie.

You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

Analytics Cookies

We'd like to set Google Analytics cookies to help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify you.

Third Party Cookies

Third party cookies are ones planted by other websites while using this site. This may occur (for example) where a Twitter or Facebook feed is embedded with a page. Selecting to turn these off will hide such content.

Skip to main content

Update on Covid-19

By Richard Bowen Barry Athletic Bowls Club

Friday, 10 April 2020

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barry Athletic Bowls Club Contributor

VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR

I hope that you and your families are all well - its a difficult time for many at the moment but our hardship is nothing compared to those on the front line and I hope you will all be on your doorsteps every Thursday evening showing your appreciation to those folk that are putting their lives on the line every single day just to keep us safe.

I wanted to update you on the review that the committee has undertaken regarding the immediate future for the club during these unprecedented times. We committed to this review following the start of the lockdown period, and with the new and emerging information that is now in the public domain, we are able to publish revised advice and guidance for all our members.

a) Green availability - firstly, it is clear that we are not yet close to a general lifting of restrictions so the committee feels it is correct to change its original advice regarding the option for members to play on the green after the 18th April 2020. The green will therefore remain closed until further notice, and no play will be allowed. This is now in line with revised Government policy.

b) We have received advice regarding green maintenance from the Government, the WSA, BowlsWales and of course Avonmore. This advice is attached here for information:

“At this stage of the pandemic the Welsh Government’s position is to slow the spread of the virus and our designation of key workers remains as set out on our website. However, regulations in force in Wales do allow workers to travel to their normal place of work if they cannot reasonably or practicably work from home. Therefore, businesses can carry on working as providing it is safe for them to do so, and providing they observe the measures set out in the regulations. Along with the other devolved administrations in the UK, we recognise that greenkeepers will play a big part in carrying out important maintenance tasks as part of the wider effort to support the eventual return of the sport sector as a whole.”

It is still imperative that whilst essential green maintenance is permitted, all government guidelines must always be followed.

Any green maintenance will be coordinated by Peter, who will continue with minimum maintenance work and watering, and coordinate with others if the work is to be shared. Please observe current guidelines and stay at home if you are not part of Peter’s maintenance team.

Hopefully, therefore, when we do receive the all-clear at some point in the future, the surface will be in first class condition for our members.

c) Membership fees - we are disappointed that our call for membership fees in the last update has not made much difference to the number of fees received. In response, the committee have considered our financial position and have all agreed on the following update to members:

A further request via social media channels will be sent out for members to pay their fees without any further delay.

  1. As a result of the shortened season (but see point d) below) the committee will consider a partial rebate of membership fees in 2021 for all members that have paid their fees by the end of April.
  2. Any member that has not paid their fees by July 1st will cease to be a member of Barry Athletic Bowls Club.
  3. Non members and lapsed members will not be permitted to enter county competitions for Barry Athletic, either individually or as part of a combination, for 2021.
  4. The committee will review later in the year whether an additional joining fee should be payable for new or lapsed members wishing to join or re-join in 2021.

Hopefully members will see that there is no advantage to be gained by not paying their membership fees this season, and will now make every effort to complete their membership for this season by paying their fees.

To date, 28 Tier 1, 3 Tier 2, 12 Lady, and 2 social members have paid membership fees for 2020.

If the full fees are proving problematic, why not set up a monthly standing order to pay your fees at £10 per month and never have to worry about it again - 15 members do it this way every year.

And a reminder that if any member is in particular hardship at this time we are happy to agree arrangements on an individual basis - just let me know please?

d) The committee are in full agreement that we shall seek to extend our season in to October subject to the weather and condition of the green. We are hopeful that we will be able to hold a number of events and competitions in this additional time.

I know that many members have been discussing the options of financial support and grants that might be available to support our sector. I am pleased to report that the Barry Athletic Club Limited committee, led by our treasurer Gareth Fuller, applied for the Business grant that has been available via the local authority and we have been successful in securing £25k. The committee will now discuss how that grant is to be used. We are aware also of a number of other grants that will be made available through Sport Wales and we are waiting for news on the application process.

Finally I hope those of you that can are heeding the advice and staying at home; we have a great club with some talented players, many characters, close colleagues and long-term friends. I want to be able to see each and every one of you when this is over, and not have watch your funeral by video link. So, please take it seriously, take precautions and take care. This virus is indiscriminate, so don't let it be you.

As always happy to take any questions you might have - please message me directly.

Contact Information

Tim Morgan

Find Barry Athletic Bowls Club

Off Paget Road, Barry Island, Barry, Vale Of Glamorgan, CF62 5TQ

DIRECTIONS

Additional Information

The pavilion and green are situated across the causeway on Barry Island, just off Paget Road and the promenade