Spring 2007
The President Writes…
As we eagerly anticipate the forthcoming season, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to those who give so much time towards the running of the club and its future well-being. Also to those who support the club financially and socially. We look forward to an exciting season!
Matthew Brick takes over as Chairman from Paul Chambers - a difficult act to follow - and we wish him well in what promises to be a pleasant, smoke free clubhouse environment for him!
Your committee has been kept busy over the past year, not least of all by the worry of the
proposed flood bank route. We all want a flood bank for the village, but NOT on a route that threatens the beauty of the Village Green and raises fears of severe costly damage to the ground and its Clubhouse thereon.
This comes at a time when the club is becoming more and more friendly within the community, providing good facilities for all ages, especially local youngsters. In fact the cricket youth section has grown so much that it has been necessary to obtain a ‘second ground’ to help with the overload, where the Saturday 3rd XI can play matches. With the help of Grant Aid, a new cricket square has been laid on Long Lane Playing Fields and sufficient money should also be available to refit the pavilion there (which is also used by Attenborough Colts FC).
The new facility will be useful not only to strengthen links with local schools (especially Chilwell Comprehensive) but also the community in general. For example, in its first year Beeston Toton Sycamore CC will use the ground on alternate Saturdays in the summer.
Personally, I am looking forward to the coming season with optimism for ALL our teams. I am already ‘loosening the index digit’ in preparation for again umpiring the Sunday 2nd XI (more accurately referred to as the club’s Development XI) where ‘questioning of the umpire’s decision’ is (almost) non-existent.
ENJOY YOUR CRICKET.
Geoff Gooch
Club President
The Chairman Writes…
Firstly I would like to say what an honour it was, firstly to be asked and then to be elected as Chairman of this great family Club. I would like to take this opportunity of passing my thanks to my predecessor for handing over the reigns of the club in such a fine position. All credit to Paul and his committee members for their excellent work in all areas taking the club to its current level attaining ECB Clubmark status.
On the cricketing side, last season was more one of consolidation with the 1st X1 finishing a creditable sixth in division 1A, and the 2nd X1, after an excellent start, tailing off somewhat to finish fifth. The 3rd X1 narrowly missed out on promotion by a fraction. The youth section again enjoyed a hugely successful year with the overall membership swelling to well over 100 members. It was fantastic seeing a considerable number of the youth section emerging through, on merit, to the senior Saturday league sides which can only bode well for the future. And now, this season, seeing so many new coaches and helpers coming forward offering their help to the youth section, thank you all.
The club now has an ever growing membership both playing and non playing and has many village members enjoying the facilities at the club. It is this growing partnership between the club, the village and other village green user member groups, that is currently working together to try to persuade the Environment Agency to install the much needed flood defences not on the strand, not on the Village green but on the little used fisherman’s car park. A tremendous amount of work has already been undertaken by the village co-operative in this area and we as a committee will continue to assist them wherever we can.
During the close season a new additional ground for the club on Long Lane was acquired thanks to some tremendous work by a sub committee led by Nick Allcoat. Grants have been received and a new square has already been laid. However a considerable amount of work will be required on the facilities to make them suitable for this and future seasons. Please help the club by assisting the committee in this process by supporting working party groups throughout the season.
As chairman there is one area that I would really like to see improved and that is the player support of the social functions which now take place on a regular basis. I also realise that the way we as a committee can assist in this process by improving communication throughout the club, I will be striving to do both.
Matt Brick
Club Chairman
Cricket Force
With the new season only a few weeks away many of us are looking forward to playing cricket again. For the colts and Saturday 3rd XI this year promises to be special. Thanks to the efforts of Nick Allcoat, Geoff Gooch and Mick Aplin in securing lottery funding the club is now able to have a second pitch in Attenborough. The pitch on Long Lane has already seen significant work and the installation of a new square. The six grass pitches were laid in early
October and with our Mick already having cut the square we must be ready for cricket! Well not quite.
The pavilion requires some renovation. Whilst the basic structure is in place, we are planning to revamp the pavilion internally and externally. The 2007 Cricket Force weekend is to be held over the weekend of the 31st March/1st April and we would request that as many playing and non-playing members pitch in this weekend.
We now have a second facility in Attenborough and I’m sure everyone in the club recognises this has great potential. For 2 days, 1 day or a few hours we will welcome anyone who is willing to help with some of the work. Please contact any committee member or myself as we will be requiring all the help that is available.
Garry Bacon
Flood Defences – The Latest
Since the last newsletter, there has been much activity surrounding the plans for the flood defences in the village which obviously directly impact the cricket ground as well as our neighbouring residents and the bowls club.
The latest and most disappointing development is that the Environment Agency despite viable alternatives being put forward have decided to apply for planning permission to build a 2 metre high wall along the Strand where the hedge is currently situated.
This was announced in a recent newsletter from the Environment Agency which contained many inaccuracies and which didn’t actually make any reference to the proposed route that was finally proposed by the cricket club and other local organisations and residents.
To further continue our objections the Cricket Club has along with the Bowls and Football Clubs joined the Attenborough Flood Alleviation Alliance which has been formed to co-ordinate these protests. The latest newsletter issued by the AFAA and the “constitution” are attached.
Whilst the Cricket Club has joined as an organisation, we do not feel it appropriate to commit the names of all the club members on an individual basis but hope that you will want to join so that your voice is heard. Please complete the slip at the bottom of the newsletter and return either direct to Gary Smerdon-White at 21 The Strand or drop it in at the cricket club.
The planning application is due to be submitted any time now, and you need to ensure that a letter objecting to it is submitted to Broxtowe Council planning department objecting as public opinion is realistically what is needed to ensure that these plans are overturned.
Without this, the impact on the Cricket Club cannot be overstated. At least a whole season will be lost to cricket at the Strand with the resultant impact on club funds and everything we have strived to provide for all members of the club.
Finally to fully appreciate the extent of what is being proposed, the AFAA have constructed a “mock up” of the wall and this is being constructed on site to give a realistic indication of its size and position. Please take the time to have a look at it and then make sure you write the letter to Broxtowe Council.
Senior Cricket
As the season fast approaches we are once again gathering at Trent Bridge on Thursday nights between 8pm and 9pm to see who can knock whose head off in pathetic displays of macho fast bowling. Any new members wishing to be killed are welcome to join the sessions but please don’t forget to label all your equipment with your blood group just in case.
The appointment this season of Andy ‘Kate Moss’ Simkiss as First XI Captain is being seen by some as a shallow, desperate attempt by the club to pay homage to the new ‘size zero’ culture. Andy has even chose the bulimic Martin Rayner as his vice. Previous captains including such rounded figures as Ben Shepherd, Mike Dickinson, Bob Fowkes and Micky Aplin have called this new trend ‘dangerously healthy’. Moreover, Matt ‘the latt’ Brick has denied the rumour that club shirts will only be available in size 9-10 and 11-12 this year.
As Byron Aplin limbers up for his 50th year, the second team are looking stronger than ever - they will have to be to carry that lumbering idiot through another ‘season too far’.
The 3rd XI has moved grounds to one not far away from the MOD base at Chilwell. Spokeswoman Garry Bacon said “well, we played on a bomb site last year - we may as well do it properly in 2007”.
Finally, worried you are drinking too much? Can’t get through the day without a large stiff one? Wake up most days wondering who you are and whose dog is that? Then join Stuart Carlisle and the Sunday Stiffs - you owe it to your liver.
Youth Cricket
Another new season is about to start. Our junior boys and girls have been training hard over the winter months at Bramcote Hills Sport and Community College and at Trent Bridge, honing their skills under the guidance of Tony Bettridge and his band of coaches.
Membership in the junior section continues to grow - at the last count we had 115 Youth members. This means that we now propose to field two teams in the ‘Kwik Cricket’ and teams playing hardball cricket at U11, U12, U13, and U15 levels for the coming 2007 season.
The registration evening is to be held on Monday 16th April, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm in the pavilion for all current and future Youth members. If you are unable to attend this meeting, outdoor training commences on Monday 23rd April at 6.30pm at The Strand, where registration can also be completed.
Looking forward to another enjoyable season.
Nick Allcoat
Manager of Youth Cricket.
Social & Fundraising
The 150 draws for January and February have now been made. The winners are as follows:
January
1st 50 - R McKinlay (£40)
2nd 11 - J Piper (£20)
3rd 49 - R McKinlay £10
February
1st 39 - N Clarke (£40)
2nd 114 - C
Young (£20)
3rd 64 - J Hazell (£10)
Payment for membership of the 2007 150 Club is now overdue. We would ask all existing members to have forwarded their cheques in payment as soon as possible to Phil Wort at 77 Whitburn Road, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 6HR or make payment on any Tuesday club night.
The club is planning a Chilli Night on Friday March 30th at 7.30pm in the pavilion. Cost will be approximately £5. Further details can be obtained from Phil Wort. In addition, a Greyhound Race Night is planned for the last Friday in April.
Club Tour
This years Tour, celebrating Bryan Aplin’s 50th birthday, will take place from Sunday 29th July for 4 or 5 nights.
The destination is Oxford/Cotswolds - details are currently being finalised.
All players are welcome and the itinerary will be structured accordingly.
Indicative costs are £45 per person, per night for Bed ands Breakfast in a twin room.
Places are limited so please confirm your intention to tour and pass your non-refundable deposit of £25 to Phil Wort without delay.
Extras
Members wanting to use the Pavilion or ground are requested to fill in an information form to detail their requirements, and help the Committee to make adequate preparations. The forms are available from Mike Aplin or Martin Firbank.
The Club now has an accident book (kept with the first aid kit in the kitchen). All accidents should be recorded in this book so the Club can stay in line with health and safety requirements.
The NCCC Club Cricketers Membership Scheme 2007 application form has been received. This allows playing members of NCB clubs to become members at Trent Bridge for the discounted price of £52. Membership entitles the holder to free admission during the County Championship, National Cricket League, C&G Trophy and some Twenty-twenty cup competitions. Forms are available from Martin Firbank
Garry Bacon has taken over maintenance of the Club database. Please keep him informed of any changes in contacted details. In light of the cost and logistical issues of keeping the Club membership informed of Club news we are trying to use e-mail as much as possible. If you have an e-mail address which can be used to send Club information please let us know by e-mailing garry@chilwell.wanadoo.co.uk
Club Diary
Friday 30th March -Chilli night in the pavilion
Saturday 31st March/Sunday 1st April
- Cricket Force Weekend
Monday 16th April - Youth Cricket registration evening
Saturday 7th July - Club event on The Strand
Sunday 8th July - Club six-a-side day
Friday 20th July - Annual Challenge match vs. Attenborough Bowls Club