·                         Sad losses during the winter.

 

I start this comprehensive newsletter by apologising for the delay in producing one for some while. Thanks to Peter and Sara for keeping members informed in the meantime. My first item is to remind everyone of the many sad losses we have suffered since the end of last season.

 

Only a couple of weeks or so after being elected as President at the 2009 AGM, Geoff Wilkins who had also been Ground Manager and prior to that a passionate member of the club for over half a century passed away on Christmas Eve. A prominent player and 1^St XI captain for many seasons, Geoff was also the UK representative of the West Indies Cricket Board.   

 

A month or so earlier on Friday 13^th November, our 1^st XI Captain Chris and Alan his brother suffered the loss of their beloved mother Pam. Often seen at the club supporting the cricket, Pam also left behind her devoted husband Phil and many friends at ECC.

 

Dennis Chapman, a Life Member collapsed and died suddenly & unexpectedly at home on New Year’s Eve. Dennis had been living in Verwood (where he retired) just outside the New Forest for many years with his wife Maureen. Dennis was, during his time at E.C.C., a very active member who did his regular bar duty, as well as assisting in many other ways largely due to his skills as a carpenter.

We also must remember Eric Gannicott, a Vice President of the club who passed away, after being poorly for some time, on Saturday 23^rd January. Eric served the club well over many years, was a Treasurer back in the 1970’s, and often helped behind the bar. 

 

Most recently Jawwad Rasheed, our new 2^nd XI captain in 2010, lost his father back in March

 

Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of all of the above.

 

·                         Quiz and Indoor Bowls make successful return to the social calendar.

 

Winter at the club can be a very chilly experience but in early 2010 the climate was a lot warmer due to the efforts of two club members in bringing a quiz and indoor bowls back to Southill Lane. Thanks are extended to Dave Bowers and Path Rasan who provided enjoyable and competitive opportunities for members to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.  

 

 

·                         Eastcote players step up for Middlesex

 

Allied to the good start to the season at club level, it is particularly pleasing and a tribute to the quality of our players, that four of them have represented the Middlesex 2^nd XI already season. Our congratulations are extended to Tom Scollay, Adam Rossington, Ravi Patel and Gurjit Sandhu.  

Both Adam and Ravi then made their First Class debut recently in the 1^st XI county match against Oxford University. Ravi has also been awarded a three year contract with the county. Eastcote stars are really helping put the club even more “on the map” than ever.

 

 

 

 

 

·                         MCCL cricket.

 

The club continues to improve its position and has become one of the very top clubs in the county. The 1^st XI are leading the way, and now, after 5 matches, sit in a well deserved 2^nd place in the Premier League - undefeated with 32 points.  The 2^nd XI will benefit from the return to availability of a number of quality players that will see them climb the table soon. Meanwhile the 3^rd XI continues where it left off last season by sitting in 3^rd place in a very competitive top division too. Support for the team at home Twickenham last Saturday was excellent and well appreciated by Tom Scollay and the boys. Please continue to come to matches in good numbers and get behind what is undoubtedly the strongest three XI’s in the club’s recent history.

 

·                         Colts update

 

The Colts section continues with enormous success at all age groups – this is due to not only a wealth of young talent but the efforts of many administrators, coaches and helpers. This is truly a real team effort that is being rewarded with all our league teams being in 1^st or 2^nd places in their respective divisions. Many sides are also making good progress in cup competitions too. Nothing gives me more pride than Eastcote on a Friday night in particular when all involved have a great time and the bar is full! More information on the Colts, and the U 11’s in particular, can be found by looking for Hemal’s mid-season report on the web-site @ Eastcotecricketclub.com.

 

 

·                         Notts tour (for U15/U17 colts) cancelled due to insufficient support

 

It is with great regret that the club has had to cancel (for the second year running) the planned Colts tour to Nottingham. This is particularly sad as the U15/U17 squads were the target tourists and some of them, who wanted to go, have been disappointed.

 

It is hoped that next year will see a revival in interest for this exceptional opportunity for colts to play longer games of cricket against good opposition while based at Trent Bridge.

 

·                         Dinner Dance

 

The Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday 6th November and for the third year will be held, numbers permitting, on the ground in line with the last two very successful occasions. This event takes a lot of planning, organisation and finance, so please book your place by the end of August and pay your deposit promptly as confirmation. 

 

·                         President's XI v Chairman's XI match 

 

This fixture is held every two years and will take place this year on Sunday 25^th July. This time around the match holds particular significance due the sad loss of our President, Geoff Wilkins, last Christmas Eve, after less than 3 weeks in office. His family and friends are very supportive of this match going ahead in his memory and the Chairman’s side look likely to face formidable opposition on the day. All the club membership is very warmly invited to attend this match. Fingers are all crossed that the weather will be kind to us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

·                         Fun Day

 

The annual club Fun Day is scheduled for Sunday 29^th August. This very successful fund raising event is now in its 4^th year and as many helpers as possible are needed to man a number of stalls and other attractions. Raffle prizes as well as items for the Tombola stall are also welcome. Please put this date firmly in your diary and help ECC raise as much money as possible. More details of how YOU can help are available from Sara Wilkins or Zara Hutchison

 

·                         Paul Manley bat raffle

 

Paul has kindly donated a custom made Aerolite Dukes Cricket Bat (worth £150) to the club and the raffle has begun. Tickets are available from behind the bar at just £2 each. Don’t miss out on the opportunity of trying to win this excellent prize for any cricketer.

 

 

·                         SMS text competition for International match tickets

 

The club has decided to support a competition sponsored by the ECB, the PCA and Sporting Heroes. Excellent prizes include tickets to a number of international matches this summer and top prize is for the Ashes in Australia later on. See details on separate poster on our website @ eastcotecricketclub.com.

 

·                         Umpires and Scorers needed

 

These officials are the unsung heroes of cricket. As a top Middlesex club we need more regular help in this department. Training courses are available in both disciplines and anyone interested in developing these skills should contact a member of the committee, ideally Neil Stevens or me, John Clouting.

 

 

·                         Nets safety

 

At Eastcote we endeavour to create a friendly and safe environment for senior players, colts, spectators and social members alike. But a cricket ground inevitably has it inherent dangers. It is everyone’s responsibility to be aware of these risks and to behave in a manner that creates no danger to themselves or others.

 

In particular the nets area needs to carefully managed at all times and colts and other young users should be supervised appropriately. As someone who was involved in a serious incident myself two years ago, it is vital that everyone keeps an eye on the balls in use in their own and neighbouring nets.

 

Spectators should also keep an eye on the action at all times. In the last few days I have witnessed two remarkably near misses: one incident occurred on the nets area to a small lad who was too young to be there and did not see a 6 hit coming towards him from the main square and the other to a female spectator who was apparently preoccupied on her mobile phone when the ball smashed into the bench no more than a foot or two away from where she was sitting.

 

  

 

 

 

·                         And Finally - Keep the clubhouse and outfield tidy!

 

In a similar vein it is also everyone’s responsibility to keep the clubhouse and outfield as clean and tidy as possible. Despite frequent reminders and many notices, the patio and outfield areas are often left littered with glasses, bottles, crisps and sweet wrappers.   The kitchen is often left in a mess too and this not only causes potential hygiene and health issues but also creates annoyance and more work for the next user. Leave the kitchen as you would wish to find it.

There is a diary book available from Denise to record when things are found in an unacceptable mess or when a special clean-up exercise has been performed. This area is an essential part of our need to comply with Environmental Health directives and we simply cannot afford to run the risk of having the kitchen closed down on us.

 

John Clouting

Chairman

June 2010