YORK & District Indoor Bowls Club have been open on a part time basis for almost six weeks and after a quiet first three weeks are pleased to say that members are returning, and the club is becoming busy again.

Covid restrictions mean that members need to follow the guidelines as laid down by the Government, which includes wearing facemasks and sanitising when entering the building, informing a member of staff that they are in the club, following directional arrows and most importantly keep a social distance from others.

The wearing of facemasks is now mandatory indoors apart from when playing bowls.

Unfortunately, like many bowls clubs, York are restricted to having only alternate rinks in use which means that they only have five available for games.

There are also new bowling times: 10.00am-12.00pm, 12.30pm-2.30pm, 3.00pm5.00pm and 6.30pm-8.30pm.

The gaps in between are so that mats, jacks, scoreboards, toilets, and surfaces can be cleaned.

The reduction in bowling sessions and rinks means that anyone wanting to bowl must book in advance.

Leagues places have been restricted to just ten teams and the club are pleased that most of these are now full and are due to start the week commencing Monday, September 21.

The league fixtures which are currently being prepared up to Christmas will be available for collection from this weekend.

The club will hold their Annual General Meeting on Thursday evening which will inform members how they have coped with the crisis. Those attending will need to wear facemasks.

The club also hope to increase the amount of opening hours from Monday, September 7 and then from September 21 they hope to be in a position to be back to normal hours.