FROM Monday, March 29, outdoor sport can resume per the latest government guidance.

This can include a larger number of participants, provided that appropriate steps are taken to make it Covid-secure in line with the law.

Indoor facilities, such as changing rooms, should not be used at this time, although toilet facilities can be accessed.

A number of venues across north Shropshire and surrounding areas have shared their new opening hours from Monday.

Golf courses, including mini golf

Hill Valley, Whitchurch – Open from March 29. Tee time and open sessions available.

Oswestry Golf Club – Casual play only with a max playing group of four.

Tee Times are between 730am and 6:00pm.

No four balls before 9am.

Water sports venues

Alderford Lake – Swimming, self launch and hire will start from March 29. These are all bookable online

Riding arenas at riding centres

Tushingham Area – Unofficial Open Showjumping on March 29.

All competitors must pre enter no entries accepted on the day

Entry checks will be carried out at the main entrance and any non entered combinations will be turned away - strictly no exceptions.

Only one other family member or helper is allowed to accompany the rider, and they must both travel in the same vehicle.

Only one vehicle per rider.

No other vehicles will be admitted to the showground.

People can use these venues in a group of six people, or with members of up to two households.

 

At this stage, these gatherings must only include participants – not spectators.

Businesses eligible to host childcare and supervised activities for children will now be able to host all outdoor children's activities, and outdoor parent-and child groups for up to 15 people (not counting those aged under five).

Meanwhile outdoor sports and activities can return to Shropshire Council-run leisure centres in accordance with the government’s roadmap easing of restrictions to the third lockdown.

Covid-19-secure measures will be in place to protect facility users, staff and local communities.

Indoor facilities are scheduled to reopen from the earliest Monday, April 12, providing the government’s roadmap criteria for further easing restrictions are met.

Peter Davis, Shropshire Council’s leisure service manager, said: “We’re looking forward to reopening our outdoor sports facilities and welcoming visitors back to our leisure centres.

“It’s been a difficult start to 2021, and the return of outdoor sport facilities and formally-organised teamsports such as football will be a welcome relief to many.

“It’s been a long wait to get to this point, and our staff have been brilliant in ensuring our leisure facilities will be Covid-19-secure ready for customers to return.”

Although the reopening of outdoor sports facilities is a positive step forward, people should still follow the Government guidelines (social distancing, wearing a face covering, regular handwashing etc) to help keep cases in Shropshire down.