The Portsmouth and District Bowls Association

COVID-19 Update

with regards to P&D (Men's) Bowls

The Coronavirus (COVID‐19) outbreak has led to the Government issuing advice and guidelines on what the public need to do to mitigate the risks to themselves and others.

This has had the effect of bringing to a halt most sporting events and Lawn Bowls is not excluded.

In the last few days, Bowls England and Bowls Hampshire have both issued statements to Clubs detailing the decisions they have made to meet the Governments Guidelines, one of which is "Social Distancing" which means you need to keep 2Metres (6.5feet) between you and another person.

In case you are not aware of what these statements contain, here is a précis:

1) Bowls England

took the following decisions regarding the 2020 season:

a) National Championships
The National Championships are cancelled in their entirety for 2020 (including all County Championship qualifying rounds). This decision has been taken because most County Associations hold their qualifying rounds leading to the National Championships from May to July, so BE believed it is impractical for these to be completed this season.

b) National Competitions
The other National Competitions are similarly cancelled in their entirety for 2020 for the same reason.

2) Bowls Hampshire

Following the BE Statement, BH produced the following statement:

a) Bowling at Clubs prior to 1st July
As a large proportion of club members are over age 70 (who may well be self-isolating) and taking into account that Social Distancing (i.e. keeping 2metres/6 feet between you and another person) is in place, BH recommends that Clubs should not allow bowling before 1st July.
 

b) County Activities prior to 1st July
There will be no County activities in the period up to the 1st July. All inter county matches in that period are being cancelled and, as has already been announced by Bowls England, there will be no National/County Championships nor County Competitions (i.e. County Club/2Wood Triples) being played.
 

c) Activities Post 1st July
A review by 1st June will decide whether activities can resume after 1st July. Given that there will be no National Championships in August and depending upon the position the County may look to introduce some events to encourage members to return to the green.

3) P&D

Following those two statements, the P&D Officers, after a series of phone calls, decided on the following actions with regards to P&D run events:

a) League Matches

As the recommendation is that no bowls should be played before 1st July and that Social Distancing would probably still be in place post that date, then it would be impracticable for it to run any League, Combination or Midweek Triples games for the 2020 Season.

b) P&D Competitions

The Officers will meet again in June to see if the Government has decided that they are able to relax their current Social Contact restrictions.

If so, there is the possibility that the Rowland Cup and other P&D Competitions could be run from July.
 

Finally, the P&D wish everyone well and ask you all to please Stay Safe

27th April 2020

Bryan Seymour RIP

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the passing away of another member of the P&D's Family of Bowlers.

On Wednesday April 22nd, Milton Park's Bryan Seymour lost his short battle with Bowl Cancer.

Bryan was Treasurer of Milton Park BC and, as Mick Molloy told me,  

"He was not just our Hon Treasurer, he was also a Friend and a Stalwart of the Club."

Bryan also supported, with his wife Sandy, the P&D in many of our Friendlies.

He was also a member of the P&D's Council In Appeals and Rules Revision Committees

Bryan and Sandy Seymour in happier times

Those of you who managed to reach County Area Finals or P&D Semi's/Finals will also have met up with Bryan in his alter ego of Bowls Umpire.

He will be sorely missed and the thoughts of all of us here at the P&D are with Sandy and the Family.

DW

11th April 2020

Sad News

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the sudden passing away of Bedhampton's President - Keith Read.

Apparently, both he and his wife went into hospital this week with Coronavirus symptoms.

Sadly, Keith then collapsed and died, although the cause has not been confirmed.

Our thoughts are with his wife and family in this trying time.

DW

To all Portsmouth & District Members,

What can I say but Thank You for giving me this opportunity to be your President for 2020. I wish all of you the very best in bowls. It is also very good to see Clubs planning for the Future.

2020 is going to be a year I will never forget:

- It’s the 94th year of the Association

- I’m the First Male President from Leigh Park BC

- I’m the Youngest Ever President at just 28 years of age

- And I’m celebrating my 20th year of bowls and I hope things can only get better.

This year my Committee are trying new things, so please be patient with us; we only want what is best for you and the Association.

I was brought into the game of bowls by family but Bowls itself is a family. This year, make new friends not only in your own Club but also in other Clubs to let the P&D be one big family. Ben Cope

The 84th Portsmouth Open Bowls Tournament is being held between Sunday, 2nd August to Saturday, 8th August.