The following statement was issued by the Club on 16 March 2020:
Dear Member,
Your Executive Committee met this morning and discussed at length the announcements regarding the Coronavirus pandemic made by the FIPJP and the WPA. Our deliberations focussed upon our duty of care to all members but particularly to those of us who could be described as vulnerable in all senses of the word.
Our conclusion was that the club will accept the recommendations of the WPA and suspend all activities within our club with immediate effect. The suspension covers all playing activity, even for individuals, and includes any planned maintenance work such as erecting fencing around the clubhouse. The club is now closed to all members until further notice.
Your Executive has not made this decision lightly and we appreciate that this action will disappoint members, especially those who come to the club on a regular basis. Some members may feel that they are prepared to continue playing at their own risk. We must make it clear that it is not acceptable for any member to do this. Any breach of the suspension of activity at the club is likely to invalidate the insurance cover provided by the WPA.
We are very sorry that our club has to close its doors for an undetermined period of time. Our sole concern is the health and welfare of members, and their loved ones. Playing petanque is an important part of our lives and I know that many of us will miss the social side of the game. But on a more positive note we can help fellow members in the weeks ahead. As a small community of some fifty members, we can keep in touch and support each other. I think we would all like to hear if any of us is having difficulties, whether being unwell or having problems getting provisions. The easiest way for us to keep in touch is to use your club’s WhatsApp and I would urge anyone not already signed up to do so. For the moment we can’t play the game we enjoy but we can still help each other, talk to each other and share information with each other.
We will keep members updated at all times.
Take care,
Roger Griffin
Secretary
