After a long hiatus bowlers in Sanquhar have finally got back out on the green to enjoy the game they love.

The Sanquhar Bowling Club officially opened on Friday, July 24 and was greeted with much joy from participants.

The number of people in attendance, however, was much smaller than usual, with the club saying that adherence to physical distancing regulations had limited the amount of bowlers allowed on the green. The club are keen that anybody attending the green sticks to those rules.

Despite the reduction in attendees, Andrew Mc Dowall Jnr said that “it was gratifying to see a reasonable turnout of members in attendance to hear President Hugh McVie welcome those present.”

The president of the club kicked off proceedings with a ceremony and a presentation of Life Membership to stalwart club member Barbara Watson.

Mc Dowall said: “Barbara has been an enthusiastic playing member for many years and her contribution to fundraising through her services to the club with her catering for tournaments and functions has been immense.

“With the assistance of some friends, she has catered for huge numbers on occasions such as Hamilton Trophy games,

Socials, Burns Suppers etc. A well deserved honour Barbara.”

As well as being invited by the president to throw the silver jack, in the absence of Mrs McVie through illness, Barbara was also presented with a bouquet of flowers by Pamela Kerr, treasurer of the club as a thank you gift.

The club expressed their best wishes to Mrs McVie and wished her a speedy recovery.

Cumnock Chronicle: Barbara kicks off proceedings.Barbara kicks off proceedings.

Bowlers across the country have had to do without their sport for a considerable amount of time and bowling greens across the country lay dormant for much of the spring and early summer as they were forced to close their doors to comply with government policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Many greens chose to open their doors earlier in the year, after the Scottish Government confirmed that bowling greens could resume sporting from May 29.

Internal competitions and spectators have been allowed at greens since mid-June.