MARK Theedom, Crediton Bowling Club President, officially opened the green by rolling the first bowl of the 2020 season, something members did not think would happen some weeks ago!

Crediton Bowling Club said it was pleased to announce that Lawn Bowls is now allowed by the Government.

The Crediton Club committee studied the Government guidelines, supplemented by Bowls England guidance and advice on how to facilitate playing safely, with social distancing applied.

Committee members have drawn up specific Crediton rules in line with the National bodies and have devised a system whereby two persons can play against each other on a rink.

Supervisors are ensuring disinfected equipment is laid out ready for play and suitably dealt with after the games. Currently, members are supervising five one-and-half-hour sessions per week on three separate rinks each time, a total of six players for each session.

Members can book online for slots to play, with restrictions applied, should the demand be too great.

So far, the sessions available have had an enthusiastic response from members, who were pining for their bowls season to start.

The club says it will be watching the Government guidelines about any further lifting of restrictions and be guided by Bowls England for any future steps to ease the rules in how this might be carried out.

Christine Marshall, on behalf of the club, said: “At the moment, this is the ‘new normal’ for bowling, which is better than the lockdown. Let’s hope the ‘new normal’ gets even more ‘newer’.”