Puddletown

  • CRICKET club chairman Pat Stockley reports:

Once again our cricket club season is well underway.

Net practices have been very well supported with some new faces taking part.

It is very encouraging to see the youth section sessions being so well supported.

This is such a great credit to our coaches and club supporters.

A cricket force day sponsored by Nat West cricket week was due to be held on April 6, but due to adverse weather conditions early that morning we had to postpone the force day until the following Sunday April 13.

This turned out to be a great success as around 30 people turned out to lend a hand.

Our aim was to tidy the recreation field and pavilion for everyone's benefit.

New bench seats were installed, and the memorial seats were cleaned.

The front of the pavilion was washed down, and all the windows and shutters were cleaned.

A litter-picking team also did a great job.

A temporary practice net was put in place, and dozens of rabbit holes were filled.

Finally, a group worked on the artificial wicket and cleaned and rolled it to perfection.

We must not forget the team of ladies who the supplied everyone with teas, coffees and snacks.

Afterwards, they served a picnic lunch which was much appreciated by all. Thank you, ladies - it was great.

A special thank you goes to that kind person who spent up to three hours mending one of the practice nets that had been broken.

Finally, a big thank you to Doug and Judy Read who offered to supply most of the food.

On a very sad note, as I was preparing this article about the club, I had a telephone call from a cricketing friend to say that Doug had passed away early that morning.

He has been a player, stalwart supporter, president and benefactor for nearly 40 years. He will be very sadly missed by our club and by the whole cricketing community. Our thoughts are with his whole family at this very sad time.

Replies are still awaited in connection with grants for the new double bay nets. We are keeping our fingers crossed, but we are halfway there.

If anyone would like to book a fixture, please telephone me (Par Stockley) on 01305 848470.

The 200 club is still very active. It pays out £120 each month in prize money.

We welcome new members.

There are still a few spare slots for anyone who would like to take part.

It helps towards the cost of running the club.

The results of the March and April draw is as follows:

March - 1st prize £50 number 116, Mrs J Brown, second prize £30 number 30, Mr D Robinson, 3rd prize £20 Number 11, Mr C Billings, 4th prize £10 number 16, Miss J Norman, and 5th prize £10 number 91, Mrs M Palmer.

April- 1st prize £50 number 77, Ms H Stockley, 2nd prize £30 number 233, Mrs S Cooke, 3rd prize £20 number 19, Mr I Belt, 4th prize £10 number 69, Mrs W Sykes, 5th prize £10 number 187 Mrs C Knott.

On behalf of the club thank you all for your continued support. If you have any enquiries, please contact me on 01305 848470.