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