Landscape changes on resumption

CROWN Green Bowls in Stockport is scheduled to recommence at the start of May after the coronavirus pandemic.

The landscape of the game will have an entirely new shape which will sadly include the loss of clubs and brand new protocol in place.

Some bowls venues across the town have also made changes to their bowling greens to accommodate the new outside pub serving measures.

It’s been 13 months since most played a competitive game of bowls and that also means many members will have drifted away never to return.

Clubs will need to ensure they are following the safety measures and guidelines recently released by the British Crown Green Bowling Association.

The local county that covers Stockport is Cheshire Crown green and they have at least announced some positive news this week.

The county plans to run its prestigious county cup competitions which includes Brunner, De Knoop and Norman cup events.

In addition the Cheshire men’s merit will also take place for 32 bowlers at the new multi million pound plastic greens over at Helsby.

Some leagues on the edge of Stockport are reporting plans to reduce from 10 aside to eight-a-side to cover the reduction in players. Locally the S and D League has reported the demise of Houldsworth Working Mens Club third team, Cheadle Conservatives Club and New Mills second team.

The loss of three teams in itself does not seem too much but that follows the stream of clubs that have been lost in previous years.

It seems imperative now that local bowls teams and players stick together to keep the game alive in the town.

The S and D committee also announced that their would be no promotion or relegation in 2021 in order to stabilize matters and just get everybody outside and back bowling.

The opening set of fixtures in the S and D top flight for Tuesday 4th May 2021 are as follows, Hadfield V George and Dragon, Houldsworth (1) V Houldsworth (2), New Mills V Victoria, Poynton Sports V LMRCA and Whaley Bridge V Great Moor.

Looking at the Stockport Parks league and Stockport Workshop League team number the towns bowling seems to be on the brink of a massive twelve months.

The coronavirus pandemic leaves the local bowling scene in its worst position in its long history and the next twelve months certainly look to be make or break.