KIDMORE END CRICKET CLUB
Founded 1863
PresidentF. R. E. Curzon Esq.
Newsletter
February 2012
Berkshire Ladies CCC will play two matches at Gallowstree Common on 3rd and 4th June against Essex Ladies and against Kent Ladies.
A Kidmore End CC awards evening is planned for Saturday, 31st March. Contact Chris Pigden (07976-292805) for details.
A word from the President
Fred Curzon writes:The major event in 2011 was the unveiling of the new pavilion at Gallowstree Common. It was a great relief to us all, particularly the players, to return to our home ground and to enjoy the wonderful new facilities. So many who have come to the ground since, whether visiting teams, supporters or passers-by, have had so many positive remarks to make. The umpires especially value their new changing rooms. Many people have been involved in the project and we are grateful to all those who made a contribution, either financially or in other ways. The President`s XI v Chairman`s XI match on Sunday, 28th August, 2011 which we used as our own celebration, was a huge success with over 200 visitors at some stage during the afternoon.
Our primary purpose is to play cricket and it is important that we do not lose sight of that aim. Part of that remains the encouragement of juniors to become full members of the club and eventually to aspire to play at a senior level. I am impressed with the management team which we have in place to see this aim through to fruition and last season, with enthusiastic leadership of the 3rdXI, many more juniors found themselves in senior teams and acquitted themselves well. The introduction of an Academy in 2012 allows us to make further strides in this direction. I look forward to seeing some good performances throughout all teams this coming season.
Graham Butler has been Hon. Secretary of the club since he succeeded Bill Townsend in November 2000. Graham decided to stand down at the AGM in November 2011 and we thank him for all his work over those eleven years. He is succeeded by David New who already carries out the work of Fixture Secretary. David’s willingness to accept more responsibility is much appreciated.
The club lost three great friends through death in 2011. I refer to Arthur Cuthbertson, Dickie Bathgate and John Waldron. We miss them and will think of them often. There was also a chance for celebration with the birth of Jake Arthur Cuthbertson to Ian and Danielle, a twelfth grandson for Joy and Arthur. February should bring into the world a new Sheldon and we hope that Tom and Niz will have a lovely little bundle to show us at the beginning of the season. Apart from what happens in the middle, I think a real highlight will be the sight of the Chairman pushing a pram around the boundary!
Money Matters
Alan Pigden writes: This has been another year with money once again playing a hugely important role. The main difference this time is that we had a new pavilion to show for all the hard work that so many have carried out in recent years. It is worth looking back at what the cricket club has achieved to make sure the new pavilion became a reality.
It was through KECC (John Sheldon in particular) that we were able to arrange a grant of £75 000 for Kidmore End Parish Council as a result of our application to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). In addition, the cricket club has received a £25 000 interest free loan from ECB over 10 years secured by a guarantee given by three club members. The club has paid £55 000 to KEPC and, in addition , has spent in excess of £8000 on furnishings. This has contributed towards the tables and chairs in the main hall, kitchen equipment, the TV and lounge furnishings and equipping the bar. Particular thanks go to Reece Pigden and Steve Beddow for their contributions in this respect. Overall it has been a good team effort with a further £12 000 having been raised in donations in 2011.
In the first half of the 2011 season it was difficult for everybody as we had to hire grounds for our home fixtures. Once we were back home not only did the 1st XI find their winning ways but we were able to benefit from our own bar with an encouragingsurplus of £1246 for the shortened season.
Looking ahead, we are hoping to benefit from arranging more fund raising functions at the club in the summer and by obtaining sponsorship support now that we have so much more to offer. This will all be much needed as running costs now amount to approximately £20000 per annum. This includes the £2500 we have to repay annually for the ECB loan. Please make sure you play a full part in supporting your club.
I would like to thank all those who collect and help raise money for the club throughout the year with particular thanks to David New and Scot Parkhurst who have helpedto make my job a little easier. Alistair Johnson has succeeded Scot in this role. Subscriptions and match fees are unchanged for 2012. Family Membership is £65 plus £10 per head where there is more than one child playing cricket from the same family. Senior Playing Membership is £45. Match Fees (seniors only) are £10 per game or £5 for students, unwaged or senior citizens. Please pay your subscription before the season begins and make sure that, when you play cricket, you have money with you to pay your match fee. Please send subscriptions to Alan Pigden at 124 Sheerstock, Haddenham, Aylesbury. HP17 8EX
Donations of non-playing members attract Gift Aid tax relief. Gift Aid forms have been circulated. If you have not already done so, please complete a form and return it to Alan Pigden with your donation so that the club can benefit financially.
Indoor nets at Reading Blue Coat School
Nets for senior playing members will start on Thursday, 23rdFebruary at Reading Blue Coat School.If you are going to attend please let Chris Pigden (07976-292805) or Jeff Sheldon (07735-568866) know. The 90 minute sessions will begin at 8pm.The cost for 10 sessions will be £40, payable to David New in advance or at the first session. Alternatively, the charge is £5 per session. Cheques, payable to Kidmore End CC, which may conveniently include your annual subscription of £45, may be sent to David New at 41Holyrood Close, Caversham Park Village, Reading. RG4 6PZ He can also be contacted on by telephone on 07786-527640. In our efforts to recruit new playing members, please encourage cricketing friends to come along too.
Junior Cricket Activities
Rupert Loader writes: The junior section continues to thrive, with most age groups maintaining solid player numbers. In 2011 the U15s won Division 2of The Shanly Group BerkshireYouth Cricket League and the U13 Kites lost narrowly in their own Cup semi-final. All teams (from U 7s through to U15s) now have coaches and managers in place for 2012 so the prospects for a successful season are good. The junior section has a new membership secretary (Alistair Johnson) who is consolidating and updating our communication with junior members. We plan to encourage all juniors to invest in the forthcoming official KECC playing kit so that the teams look as smart as they play – and we will also be holding a second-hand sale of junior cricket kit to help recycle some of the equipment from older junior players to the younger ones. This year will also see the first fixtures of the new Kidmore End Academy teamwhich will combine the best of the older juniors, with the cream of the younger seniors, into a team for the future.
Captain’s Column
Jeff Sheldon writes:Last season was very much a season of two entirely different halves. At first we were homeless and struggling to put any sort of form together as a team and we were down at the bottom of the league....but we stuck together,returned to the home of cricket and turned it all around. The second half of the season saw the first team only defeated in one game which was against Wokingham (the champions) in the very last fixture of the season. There were some greatindividual efforts with the ball by James Frost and Alex Crawford. Luke Sinclair has now become the strike bowler we all know he could be, ripping out key wickets and winning the game against Reading. The batting was not asimpressiveas the bowling but theaggressivestroke play of Tom Sheldon (Kidmore’s very own Sewag) was a joy to watch. He delivered when it really mattered and won the game against Burnham by hammering Waqar Ahmed (look him up on cricinfo) to all parts of our beautiful ground. The ever dependable Paul Harper was tidy behind the stumps and chipped in with runs in the middle order. The biggestpositivewas the team spirit. If we play the whole season in 2012 like the second half of last, we might just do well.
I see 2012 as an exciting time for the club. New club house, new nets, hosting Berkshire Ladies CCC in June and having a serious run at winning the league...... nets start on 23rd February and we are on the lookout for new players and members. If you know anyone, please bring them along to join the best club in the world.
The Season Ahead
The club season begins on 14th April, when Kidmore End 1st XI hosts Bagshot with a 1.30 pm start. Morrant Thames Valley League matches begin on 12th May, with the 1st XI playing away against Chesham. The 2nd XI is at home to Thatcham 3rds, while the 3rd XI plays Hillingdon 4ths at Highmoor. TVL matches start at 1 pm. Thames and Chilterns Sunday Competition matches begin on 29th April, whenthe 1st XI is away at Tiddington, starting at 2 pm.
All readers will be hoping that England’s ranking at the top of Test cricket will remain intact during the visits of West Indies and South Africa in 2012. At present, the Pakistan series in UAE is providing a novel experience and an opening defeat for England, while Lancashire will be heading there to play MCC in the annual champion county fixture in March.
Last year, weended by recommending a cricket book with a difference, Slipless in Settle by Harry Pearson. This very humorous account of one man’s season in 2009 went on to win the MCC/Cricket Society Book of the Year in April 2011.