Local cricketers in national sport initiative (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Local cricketers in national sport initiative

CIRENCESTER Cricket Club is participating in the annual NatWest CricketForce, an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) initiative, on April 8 and 9.

They are inviting volunteers from their club and supporters from the community to help refurbish their clubhouse and grounds at Cirencester Cricket Club, The Park.

CricketForce encourages cricket supporters, friends, families and businesses to give something back to their communities throughout England and Wales.

Nearly 1,000 cricket clubs, throughout the country, will be taking part, almost doubling the involvement from 2005.

It is the biggest annual volunteering event in sport and is set to attract more than 70,000 volunteers nationally.

In 2005, Cirencester's club focused on restoring its historic pavilion and making ground improvements.

This year, they are improving amenities offered within the pavilion and the beautiful ground for members and the local community to enjoy.

Brian Hudson, Cirencester Cricket Club chairman, said: "In 2005, 60 volunteers delivered over 300 man-hours of effort to deliver a quantum improvement to Cirencester's historic cricket club.

"The quality of the planning of project directors, Nikki and Brian Woodcock, augurs well for an even bigger and better event in 2006."

Dave Leighton, ECB National Development Manager, said, "We saw clubs do more for themselves in two days last year than they had for years before.

"It made a real difference to clubs, including increased revenue, increased participation and a great sense of community spirit".

As well as requiring volunteers to make the weekend a success, the club is also appealing to local businesses for help and donations of materials from their "wanted list".

Items such as building materials, DIY equipment, seating, plants and catering gear are all needed.

Cash donations will also be gratefully received.

Projects will include improving practice facilities, painting railings, repairing or replacing guttering, repairing windows, restoring a garden, installing facilities for video analysis during coaching sessions and refurbishing toilets, showers and changing rooms.

The facelift will help the club develop links with schools, community organisations and businesses.

To get involved, contact project directors, Nikki and Brian Woodcock, at 18 Grange Court, Cirencester GL7 2JS - telephone 01285 643996 - or the social and clubhouse chairman at 3 Garden Close, Cirencester GL7 1UW: telephone 01285 651385, email c.pilkington@tiscali.co.uk