Extreme Weather Guidelines for Thame Bowls Club

Extreme Weather Guidelines for Thame Bowls Club

The climate is changing to hotter drier summers with periods where the maximum temperature during the afternoons in the shade could regularly exceed 30 C 86 F and be close to 40 C or over 100 F in the sun. This can be particularly dangerous for the over 65s and in these circumstances, it is recommended that individuals should take adequate protection for their own safety such as using a sun cream factor with an SPF 30 or higher; wearing a cap or hat and lightweight clothing.

Match Officials responsibilities

The captain of the day should monitor the weather forecasts a few days before the game including whether any Heat Alerts have been issued by the Met Office to assess the risk of playing. The Heat Alerts are colour coded yellow, amber and the most severe red which indicates a severe risk to life. They should then consider whether to cancel the match or change the time it is played. If a red Heat Alert is in force the rule should be that the game is cancelled/postponed.

On the day of the match if it is to be played in conjunction with the opposing captain, they should consider shortening the match to 14 ends.

They should ensure, for home matches, that there are bottles of water in the fridge in the kitchen, available at no charge, and if possible, some cool or shaded areas for the players.

They and all skips should be vigilant in monitoring players for signs of heat stress which may include - tiredness, dizziness, headaches, excessive sweating cramps or fast breathing as well as a high temperature. Contact the NHS on 111 should you be concerned about someone's health.

Player’s responsibilities

Players should look out for one another and not just rely on the captain or skip to notice if someone is distressed. Players have the right to not play but to let the captain know as soon as they decide that the heat is too great.

Thunder and Lightning

Extreme heat is often accompanied by thunder and lightning. Bowls England have issued the following guidance: -

Do not take unnecessary risks in thunder and lighting. This is not a good idea for a number of reasons, some of which are:

• Lightning can kill or seriously injure 
• Blue skies overhead do not guarantee protection from lightning strikes 
• Lightning can strike far from where it is raining and it may come out of the blue, with no cloud in the sky and not a drop of rain 
• It can strike even when the storm is as much as 10 miles away, though 6 miles or so is usually quoted as being a range at which risk really escalates 
• Any exposed open area can be at risk if there’s thunder and/or lightning about 
• Lightning won’t necessarily go for the tallest nearby tree; it could jump sideways from another object to hit you or strike the ground and travel through it hitting you on the way 
• It is likely to seek conducting objects (including metal, carbon fibre etc) 
• It can travel from person to person if you’re close together 

Go indoors immediately if

• There is sudden thunder without lightning 
• You see lightning in the clouds 
• Flash to bang time is 30 seconds or less 
• You see lightning strike the ground or a building etc. nearby 

Do Not

• Bunch together – spread out as you move indoors 
• Shelter under a tree, especially a single tall tree 
• Stay outside if you can get into a building (or a car) 
• Use an umbrella or gazebo as cover 
• Avoid small sheds etc and stay away from windows and doors 

When to resume following Thunder/Lightning

Keep watching and listening – 30 minutes after the last thunder it should be safe to go out – but if in doubt – stay indoors.

Danger Signs

There is imminent danger of a lightning strike if:

• You feel your hair standing on end 
• There is crackling in the air 
• There is sudden thunder without lightning 

Remember – there is no safe place outside in a thunderstorm! Never lie flat on the ground during a lightning storm. If you can get into a sturdy building or a car do this at once.

https://www.bowlsengland.com/extreme-weather-guidelines-heat/

If you want more information please click here to send us an email.

 

Annual Membership Fees from 1st April 2026

Full Playing Member £100

New Full Playing Member £75 (after 1st July £50)

Junior Full Playing Member (under 25) £15

Social Membership £15

Full playing members have full use of the bowling green and club facilities.

Social Members have use of club facilities for socialising with other members. 

 

We at Thame Bowls Club are delighted that you have chosen to join us and hope you enjoy many years of bowling. It is a great social game and you will meet lots of people who have many years of experience in the game who will help you in the learning process, but you will also meet many newcomers to the game.

 

Roll-ups are a great way to make friends and spend an enjoyable hour or so. The Green is open from 11am till dusk. This season we are organising coaching sessions on Tuesday evenings at 6pm for those new to the game where there will be qualified coaches to help you. In addition you can arrange with a few friends to meet up and enjoy a pleasant afternoon roll-up. Or, you could meet up any other weekday evening, have a game and a drink in our bar. You can book space on the green using the rink diary.

 

The bowling season starts around mid-April and finishes late September. There are various Social Events at the Club all year round, fun days including Ladies v Gents and Chairman v Secretary matches and the socially minded Friday Evening club games with bacon or sausage butties afterwards.

 

Matches - a brief introduction:

 

Midweek matches - a great introduction to mixed friendly games against local clubs for men and ladies together.
Dress code - Club shirts, grey trousers, skirts or shorts. 

 

Men’s Oxfordshire League matches - a game for those who want competitive matches.
Dress code - Club shirts and grey trousers or shorts. 

 

Ladies matches - any lady can play, you will be put in a team with experienced bowlers.
Dress code - Club shirts and white skirts, trousers or shorts. 

 

Saturday Matches - friendly mixed games against local opposition.
Dress code - Club shirts and white trousers, skirts or shorts. 

 

Sunday Matches - mixed friendly games played against local teams.
A must for all new members to get involved.
Dress code - Club shirts and white trousers, skirts or shorts. 

 

You will find all these matches in your fixture card, on the Club notice board outside the kitchen and on this website. See below for how to sign up to play.

Join in and take advantage of what Thame Bowls Club has to offer. You will find friendship, good company and good bowling on the best green in Oxfordshire.

 

How to sign up to play one of the friendly matches against other clubs.

On the wall near the kitchen there are sign-up forms for friendly games for Midweek, Weekends and Ladies against other clubs.

It will show the date and time and whether it is home or away and the dress code (dress code refers to either grey or white shorts,

trousers or skirts - whatever takes your fancy - plus a club shirt).

Please write your name on the list for the game(s) you wish to play in.

A week or so before the game the Captain will pick the side and display it on the notice board and if selected please tick your name.

If the game is away, you can go there directly under your own steam and if so put a star against your name.  Otherwise we assemble

at the clubhouse by the time advised and transport will be arranged - you will be able to travel in someone else's car for a fee of £3

paid to the driver to offset their fuel costs.

 

We need as many members as possible to put their names down to play - either as a Lead, Two or skip so that the Captains have as

big a pool of players as possible to pick from.

 

Don't worry about whether or not you think you are good enough because everyone on our side or the opposition will be friendly and

give you help and advice along the way if you want or need it.

 

 

Our Values

Thame Bowls Club has a set of Values that we seek all members to abide by, they are:

We have a single, simple purpose – to contribute to the continued success and development of Thame Bowls Club by adhering to and promoting a set of values that enable our members and volunteers to feel respected and valued. 

 

1.  We commit to supporting one another and the Club aims.

2.  We respect one another and work best as a team.

3.  We are cheerful, welcoming and friendly at all times.

4.  We aim to be successful, but remember it is as important to enjoy ourselves and have fun.

5.  We use our experience and knowledge to help new members develop and grow.

6.  We have a commitment to caring about the well-being of our fellow members.

7.  We welcome healthy debate and ideas, but strive for solutions not barriers.

8.  We value tradition, but recognise that we also need to embrace change to progress. 

 

 

 

• Bowls should not be dropped on the green.

• Bowls should not be kicked in until the shot has been decided.

• Bowling is a friendly game and all players should show courtesy and good sportsmanship.

• Dress appropriately and ensure that you know the dress code for each game or match in which you are participating.

• Do not walk across rinks that other people are using.

• Introduce yourself and shake hands with your opponent(s) both before play commences and after the game is complete.

• During the game do not move around the head when your opponent is about to deliver his bowl. Stand well back from the head, keep quiet and do not do anything that would distract your opponent. Wait until the bowl has been delivered before moving.

• If you are at the same end as the player delivering a bowl you must stand behind the mat thus staying out of the player's line of vision.

• Bear in mind that some people like to see the rink boundary markers and the centre pin while playing so make sure that you are not obscuring them.

• On sunny days you must also ensure that your shadow does not fall on the jack.

• Spectators who are in the player's line of vision should also keep still while bowls are being delivered and they should not distract players on the green.

• After you have delivered a bowl and before it has come to rest you should remain on the mat so that your skip can advise you on how well your bowl was delivered.

• It is customary to offer to buy them a drink if you have won the game. Where a marker has been involved in a singles game you should also offer them a drink.

 

 

 

In all team games it is the Skip's job to direct the play. Other players should play the shot directed by the Skip even if they don't agree with it. In fours games the 'Third' should direct the Skip when required to do so. In Triples or Pairs the Second or Lead may do this. Other players should not interfere unless invited to do so.

The Skip

• The Skip shall have sole charge of his team, and his instructions shall be observed by his players. With the opposing Skip he shall decide all disputed points, and when both agree, their decision shall be final.

• If both Skips cannot agree, the point in dispute shall be referred to, and considered by, an Umpire whose decision shall be final.

• A Skip may at any time delegate his powers or any of his duties to other members of his team provided that such delegation is notified to the opposing Skip.

• The Skip also keeps the score of all shots as from 2011.
   

The Third

• The third player may have deputed to him the duty of measuring any and all disputed shots.
   

The Second

• The Second should work in tandem with The Lead.
   

The Lead

• The Lead shall place the mat and shall deliver the Jack ensuring that the Jack is properly centred before playing his first bowl.

• In addition to the duties specified in the preceding clauses any player may undertake such duties as may be assigned to him by the Skip.

• It is also worth emphasising that the head must not be disturbed by any player until the shots have been finally agreed. When the Thirds or Skips are deciding the shots the other players should stand well back from the head and give them the space to do so.

• During the game encourage your team mates, do not criticize them. Commend good shots and learn to accept that flukes are a part of the game. Sometimes they go for you, sometimes against.