Boris has local bowls clubs on tenterhooks

With county and league bowls cancelled last year owing to the pandemic, there is growing concern that a second season without competitive bowls could have serious implications for the future of some clubs, not only from the financial perspective, but also through fears over the retention of members.

Most clubs did manage to provide some limited domestic bowling last year within the strict Government guidelines, and some were able to take advantage of small business grants to cover shortfalls in income and ongoing expenditure, but the big question remains is how many of the clubs’ pre-lockdown membership will return should bowls get the green light.

The fact that any decision may come at the eleventh hour, Huntingdonshire Bowls and the Peterborough League have already decided not to produce handbooks this year, and instead will rely on clubs to pass on relevant information to their members, supported by their websites.

The Peterborough League have spent the last few months updating and improving their website (www.bowls-league.com) to offer clubs and players a more comprehensive on-line service, including map directions to greens, a calendar of club events, the league history, as well as the usual menu of results, fixtures, tables and individual team records.

As a further assistance to clubs, the League have decided not to charge clubs any league, cup and player registration fees this year, which could mean savings in excess of £100 for some clubs.

On the Northants Bowling Federation front, Roger Martin has taken over as captain of the Adams Trophy team from John Earl, and has named Mick Linnell as his vice-captain.

The English Bowling Federation are still waiting to play their 2020 national indoor finals. The planned date in April has been cancelled, and they are now hoping to play them in early October, but five counties are still to complete their 2020 finals – Northants fulfilled their programme just two days before the first lockdown last March.

If the 2020 finals do go ahead at Newark in October, then there will be two national indoor finals next season, with the 2022 finals set for April.