The men got off to a disappointing start in their first match of the new season, losing 76 to 116 points at home to Swale IBC.

We were only able to field 5 rinks, losing 4 and drawing one. Congratulations to Tony Garvey, John Strudwick, Les Gritton and Alan Penhallow for saving us from total humiliation.

Captain Richard

We are delighted to announce that Thursday Lunches, by Florence, will begin again on 14^TH OCTOBER, TWO COURSES for ONLY £7.50 served between 12.30 – 1.30pm.

Menu for 14th October:  Sweet and sour pork, prawn crackers, egg fried rice, pan fried mixed vegetables, followed by apple and peach crumble with custard.

Book and pay at Reception. And check out the menus for every Thursday to end of November!

This match is always a keenly fought contest – won last time, narrowly, by the Ladies.   I’m sure that the Gents will wish to avenge this defeat!

Tea and biscuits will be served, followed by the presentation.

There is still room for more players in both teams – please sign up now!

Competitions Finals Day together with another one of Florence’s Fantastic Carvery’s.

The booking folder is on the table now to reserve your place at the Carvery and to also give support to those playing in the Summer Finals.

Make a day of it and combine the two!

Although the government have approved the lifting of most lockdown restrictions on Monday 19^th, and most of us will have been double-jabbed, we cannot ignore the continuing rise in infection levels.

At Sevenoaks Indoor Bowls Club we must remain cautious.  It is therefore proposed that all are encouraged to continue using hand sanitisers and to regularly sanitise bowling equipment whilst the existing track and trace recording will remain in place.  The wearing of face masks when not bowling, and particularly when the club is busy, is recommended and encouraged.  The limits on numbers using the locker rooms and toilets will be relaxed and the changing rooms may again be used, although again caution and common sense should be employed.  It will now be expected that all members wear regulation greys when playing.

The Rule of 6 and social contact restrictions will have been abolished so members will again be permitted to shake hands and congregate in larger groups.  The coffee and water machines will both be available for use by all whilst service at the bar will resume.  There will be no restrictions on table sizes at our social functions and normal service at carveries will resume.

Assuming that we avoid any further lockdown and can contemplate a near normal winter season it is probable that 8 rinks will be reinstated for the winter season.

We must all hope that this is indeed the beginning of the end – I would thank you all for respecting the restrictions imposed to date and for your continued caution in the coming weeks and months.

Best wishes, Richard Purssell

It is time to organise the Winter Leagues for season 2021/22.  Our League Team Captains now have the Application Forms and will be approaching you shortly to join/rejoin them.  The previously existing teams were as follows and we hope to get them all up and running again.

With Corona restrictions being lifted and people being able to get out and about more, Bowls England is planning a Big Weekend of Bowls in an effort to encourage more people to take up our sport.   This is mainly an outdoor bowls initiative but Sevenoaks B.C. felt it would be more productive if our two Clubs joined forces for this event and we were happy to agree with this.

Therefore, an Open Afternoon will be held on Sunday 30^th May from 2.30 – 5 p.m. at both Clubs.

What can you do to help?   This event will be promoted around the area but you can play your part by encouraging family, friends and neighbours to come along and ‘have a go’ at bowls, whether indoor or outdoor – or even both.

If you can display a poster anywhere, then please collect one from the Club.

We need to create a busy atmosphere at the Club during the Open Afternoon so you are welcome to come along and have a roll-up, see how things are going, or chat to any prospective members and tell them about the many advantages of playing indoor bowls.

Thank you for your help.

The Directors