Lybster bowlers face a waiting game over return to action
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Bowlers in Lybster are among those playing "a waiting game" to see when their sport can resume.
It is hoped that club competitions can be held this year even if county-wide events have to wait until the 2022 season.
Marshall Bowman, who is Lybster Bowling Club's current secretary until an annual general meeting can be held, says there are still too many uncertainties to put any plans in place.
"Last year the bowling club was open to members after the middle of May when it was allowed to. It was very restricted in that only three rinks were open to give as much space as possible," he said.
"Protocols had to be followed in that sanitising gel/fluid was available and an attendance book had to be signed in case of any tracing being required for whatever reason. This was a legal requirement at that time.
"The clubhouse was closed with folk going in and out to the green using the side gate. In truth, everyone was so unsure how things were going to pan out that most didn't risk bowling.
"There were no club competitions held – purely some social bowling among a small number of members.
"The one constant throughout was the greenkeeper, who worked hard to keep everything as its best and will be soon getting to grips with work required for this year."
Looking ahead to when the sport may return, Marshall said: "No arrangements are yet in place as, like all other sectors, it is a waiting game as to when restrictions for meeting up are announced and in what numbers permissible.
"Currently, this announcement seems likely to be near the end of April. Then there is the question of what tier Caithness will be in, and for how long, and what will the restrictions be at that tier level.
"I would imagine that going into May it could well be a similar scenario to last year with full participation in club competitions and with county-wide competitions maybe not being until the 2022 season.
"Only time, coupled with all the other factors, such as vaccination success, will determine the outcome."
Marshall added: "I would imagine that our AGM will need to be held at a later date when it is deemed safe to do so – not that there will be much business to be conducted other than the appointment of office-bearers and a committee to take the club forward into better times."
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