Thatcham Town Cricket Club News story


Pre-season work parties

15 Mar 2019

Hello all,

 

Even though winter is not yet over, and we’re currently being assaulted by high winds and rain, it’s nearly time for cricket again. The first cricket game of 2019 is only 6 weeks away with the 1st XI having a preseason friendly against Andover on Saturday 20 April.

 

In advance of this, and the main Thames Valley Cricket League commencing on Saturday 11 May, we will have 3 preseason work parties on the ground to finalise all preparations. The dates for these are:

 

  • 30 March

  • 6 April

  • 13 April

 

Our fantastic volunteer grounds team have done a lot of work during the off-season, but we need volunteers to help with the following jobs:

 

FENCING REPAIR/REPLACEMENT alongside Memorial Field.  This has to be the first priority - a chance for members with fencing experience/equipment to impress!

Move benches from 3-lane nets to clubhouse.

Jet-wash, sweep and clean moss etc. from 3-lane nets and mark crease lines.

Set out Frank’s planks.

Brush off artificial wicket and seniors nets.  Mark crease lines.

Collect fallen branches/twigs from under trees to avoid mower damage.

Clear leaves & cut back all vegetation growing through the boundary fence at top and east sides of the ground.

Repair/reattach netting on roll on nets.

Put up netting on seniors nets.

Clean out post holes for the post/rope marker “fence”.

 

The fencing repair/replacement the main job for 30 March, and we need as many people as possible to assist with this as this is the most labour intensive job. All other jobs are much simpler and most are easy enough for colts of all ages to participate in.

 

Each work party starts at 9.00am, but will not last all day. Tea and coffee along with breakfast/brunch food will be provided on each day. Please wear clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty or wet.

 

Even if you can only give 1 hour for each work party, that is greatly appreciated and will enable all jobs to be completed, and make the ground ready for the start of the new season for players of all ages.

 

Regards,

 

Dominic

 

Club Chairman