Chairman's Update

It is mid-June, and we are nicely into a busy 2025 cricket season. Nine games played out of a total of 21 afternoon games we have in the calendar for this season. And so much more going on to support our cricket.

With CASC status achieved in February we have taken full advantage of the Gift Aid relief now available to the club with our “Restore the Cradle of Cricket……” crowdfunder. As I write we have raised £7,415 from 57 supporters and gained £1,710 in gift aid with 20 days to go. The target is £10,000 so a last big push everyone.

The good news is that the money we raise is being directly invested in the ground to improve the playing facilities. Before the season started, we were able to improve irrigation to the square, and this is making pitch preparation much easier. As will the purchase of a new Allett electric grass mower which is due to arrive any day now. Work is also in hand to refurbish the outfield, starting with a weed killing dose last week.

We have been extremely well supported this season by Mark Smith, the Ground Representative on the Committee, and Peter Tomkins as No1 groundsman. Pete has been ably assisted by volunteer Paul Jackson. Charlotte, following her injury, is back on light duties on the ground and cleaning the pavilion. Dennis Blake is the newest recruit and is a professional groundsman at PGS and will be our No1 groundsman next season. Pete and Paul are due to retire from Ground duties at the end of this season and all being well, the team in 2026 will be Dennis and Charlotte.

Strong dedicated ground team or not, we always have room for more volunteer contributions, whether it be outfield mowing or general trimming around the boundary and the pavilion area. Please feel free to put yourselves forward, either through Mark or myself and we will organise any equipment training that might be required.

Many of you will have noticed that the interior of the pavilion is now looking a lot smarter having been repainted by Mike Beardall and Paul Whittle before the season started. A big thank you to them for putting in the hard work, and to Bryan Burns for updating the array of club mementos in the Long Room.

We are lucky that our games are wonderfully well supported by our “in house” officials. A big thank you Clive and team for continuing to ensure there is a Brigands umpire standing in every game. And the fact that every afternoon game this summer has a scorer allocated speaks volumes for the dedication being shown by our small scorer’s union of Ray, Jim and Caroline.