I thought I will try to write a few words each month with what is happening around the club to keep everyone updated.
I for one have had a rather busy winter (no Ashes mentions, it did not happen!) with my wedding preparations, hopefully I survive my stag do (Mr. Mitchell Jnr!) and we have another fine sunny summer. Some of you have been along to nets. It is a great facility that we have use of and it would be good to see some more of you there. We still have enough space for at least 10-15 more people in each session. Hopefully we will get the bowling machine down there after half term.
Ian and Kevin have been pressing along with plans for the clubhouse extension and they hope to be in a position to make a grant request in the new few months. With the wet weather, this has affected a number of football games which in turn bar takings have been less than expected. We have a number of ideas to hold social functions in the coming months and I am sure the social committee will welcome any suggestions.
We will be running cricket force day again in April/May and have a long list of jobs that we would like to complete. I will send details in due course, it will be good to see you all there even if is just for an hour or so for you to get a free t-shirt. There will be food and some drink there as per normal.
We are in need of new players for the season, for youth and senior teams. If you know anyone, please get them in touch with the club.
As some of you have seen there was good and bad news from the league AGM. Good news is that the 4th XI are no longer in the bottom division. Bad news was that the 2nd XI went down. Also a disappointment from our view, having left the Morrant league a number of years ago due to the travelling to East London a number of clubs from that area were voted into the Mid Essex Cricket League. It appears that the 3rd XI have been hit rather hard with teams in their division, although Rayne will feel the pain more than us I feel. It was sad to see the loss of Pegasus and Corringham from the cricketing map. A large club with a great ground, but it was the ground and sports club that were sold off and so they could not find anywhere to play thus resigning from the Essex League and the club folded. It makes you thankful for our facilities and what a good standard we have and what a great standard we are going to have!
We are currently arranging for grant applications to be made for boundary netting and new sight screens for the 3rd/4th pitch. I am hoping these will arrive mid season. We are still working on a main club sponsor for the season and hope to have more news soon. Alaric as arranged a number of 5th XI games for the club this season and we are hoping to find a “home” ground locally.
Keep a look out for more big news coming soon and see you at the nets!
GF