It is intended that the Club Handicap be run at MBC on Sunday 2nd May 2021. Start time is 10:30am with players asked to be at the green for 10:15am so that the draw can commence. Entries to Andrea Ainley on 07557332168 by phone or text or by email to: meersbrookbcsecretary@gmail.com

The drawn doubles comp was held on Sunday at MBC. A good day of bowls accompanied by sunshine throughout saw Frank Woodhead and Ryan Clark beat Dean Missere & Steve Oliver in the final.

• Quarters
• Mark Richardson / Nick Clarke 21 Aaron Williams / Phil Dunn 10
• Mel Hobson / Phil Holden 14 Ryan Clark / Frank Woodhead 21
• Neil Fletcher / Salliee Anya 6 Dean Missere / Steve Oliver 21
• James Higgins / Sue Hill 14 Andy Sorsby / Gary Hill 21
• Semis
• Mark Richardson / Nick Clarke 13 Ryan Clark / Frank Woodhead 21
• Dean Missere / Steve Oliver 21 Andy Sorsby / Gary Hill 12
• Final
• Ryan Clark / Frank Woodhead 21 Dean Missere / Steve Oliver 07

Thank you to all that came and played, and to those that helped run / organise the day.

MBC plan to run the club drawn doubles internal competition on Sunday 18th April for an 11am start. All entries by text or phone to Andrea Ainley 07557332168 or Jack Clarke 07963197234.

The decision to open the green has been made and will happen on Friday 2nd April 2021. With this in mind there are guidelines that will need to be followed and are outlined below. If you intend on using the facility please ensure you have read what is required from our members to enable us to open the green during this time. A copy of the guidelines and the BCGBA risk assessment will be displayed at the club for all to read. Take care and stay safe.

Covid 19 Green Opening Guidelines MBC

• Members Only will be permitted to play on the green
• To book a time slot please contact Jack Clarke : 07963197234 – No booked time slot = no play. Slots must be booked with 24hr notice. No block bookings will be taken. If you are unable to attend your booking you should notify Jack Clarke : 07963197234 at the earliest opportunity.
• All players are required to sign in and out of their booked time slot – the book will be located under the tea hut. This is to assist with the Track & Trace system we have to have in place in order to open the green. Any issues with signing in / out please contact Jack Clarke : 07963197234
• There is no use of club facilities currently available, including toilets.
• Members should where possible not use hand rails / benches / seating etc to reduce the risk of infection.
• A maximum of 6 people or 2 households will be allowed on the green at any time.
• No spectators are currently permitted.
• If you intend on playing with another person(s) – the person(s) should be named when booking and should not be changed unless Jack Clarke is notified prior to your time slot.
• Players are unable to use club blocks – you must use your own equipment. Players are encouraged to wash equipment prior to and at the completion of play.
• Please wash / sanitise your hands as often as possible.
• Any person suffering symptoms of Covid 19 must notify the club at the earliest opportunity.

Booking Slots are available Monday – Sunday as follows: ** Please note on Tuesdays & Fridays 2:30pm – 3:45pm slot will not be bookable to allow for green cutting **

• 10am – 11:15am
• 11:30am – 12:45pm
• 1pm – 2:15pm
• 2:30pm – 3:45pm
• 4pm – 5:15pm
• 5:30pm – 6:45pm
• 7pm – 8:15pm

Please see the attachment below that outlines the allowances made by BCGBA for play to resume.

Click to access return_to_play_step_one_260321-crown-green-final-1.pdf

During the recent work at MBC we found this old hand painted sign which is the same as the old club emblem. For a bit of fun, would you like to see this piece of MBC history restored and put up somewhere around the club? If so where? Answer as a comment below please for consideration!

During the recent cold weather and issues we were having with the club heating we found that the lowered ceiling in the Snooker Room had moved with the ceiling tiles hanging down. This has all now been successfully re-secured, it did offer the lucky few the chance to see the hidden architectural gem of the original domed ceiling complete with timber beams. Hopefully one day in the future we might be able to restore this original feature, but there’s a few jobs on the to do list first!

We’ve also had some considerable work done with the heating systems this winter, predominantly on the snooker room circuit. During the regular security and systems checks we noticed the snooker room circuit was really struggling to get warm, and the building was getting progressively colder. Working with Meersbrook & Heeley based heating experts, Osborne UK Ltd, we have flushed and serviced the system, replaced 2 blocked and knackered radiators, and set up each radiator in turn to get the necessary flow on the return leg of the system. As Jack, Pete and myself can testify, this doesn’t tell anywhere near the whole story of the work that’s gone into investigating how the system works, removing all the bench seating etc to get at rad’s & pipework!

Many thanks to Paul & Steve Osborne and all their team for their hard work. We got there in the end!

osborne-uk.co.uk

We have recently had some great work done on the green, carried out by Paul Bradley and his amazing Verti-Drainer machine! This should add to all the work done last year by improving root growth and drainage on the green. Gary & Jack had some core soil samples taken at the back end of last year, and we’ve now got a tailored comprehensive treatment programme based on this. With the many thousands of 8″ holes Paul has now put in the green, these treatments should be able to get to where we need them to improve the grasses ability to take up all these key nutrients. Fingers crossed we’ll all be able to enjoy the benefits soon!

All the team at Meersbrook Bowling Club would like to wish all our Club Members and all our Web Page Friends a wonderful Christmas!

Unfortunately, we cannot celebrate face to face and raise a glass together this year, but if we all stay strong for a little while longer hopefully it will not be too long before we can celebrate together again!

Stay safe, take care & enjoy yourselves! We wish you all a happy, healthy & prosperous 2021!

A couple of updates to share. The Board of Directors have continued to work hard whilst the club is closed, we have secured and are receiving the small business grant payments and this will help us in the new year.

As most of you will know it is usually around this time of year when membership fees become due again. The Board has decided at this time that membership fees will only be payable when the club is open for business once more, when this happens we will call the re-arranged AGM where the board will have proposals on 2021 fees for you all to consider and vote on.

Take care everyone! Up the Club!

Unfortunately as South Yorkshire has been placed into tier three restrictions, we are now closed again for a period of time. As this stands at the moment this will be for 28 days minimum.

As organised sporting activities can still take place outside, the autumn / winter handicaps as previously advertised, can thankfully still take place, and we will proceed as planned on Sunday 25th October weather permitting. The club premises will be open for toilet & tea/coffee facilities only. There will be strict limits on people allowed in the building and these will be communicated each Sunday as a reminder. Appropriate face coverings must be worn by all participants while moving in and around the club premises.

Thanks you all for your continued support.