February newsletter
Chair’s Update
It’s been a while since the last newsletter in September, so a quick note by way of an update.
Our annual dinner brought together playing members from the women’s and men’s sections, along with some of our Sponsors’ and supporters of the Club. It was a well-attended event with much to celebrate.
The AGM was held in November at the Ridgemont Pavilion (home of Tunbridge Wells Youth FC – thanks for hosting) and again there was a healthy turn-out. Nearly all of the committee posts were filled, other than for secretary, café manager and volunteer co-ordinator and we also held off voting for the 1st and 2nd XI Captains until wider views could be sought from the playing membership.
We are currently looking at replacing our roller as it has become uneconomical with regular break downs over the past two years (including an impressive situation where the front roller became detached whilst in use!!). Although we have some funds from the 150 Club, we are looking at other sources such as through fundraising efforts, so hope our members get behind anything we come up with to help raise funds.
Thanks to the kind efforts of a number of parents from our junior section (Tom Fraser-Reed aided by Rhys Evans and Paul Sharp) work is underway to replace the shutters on the veranda and to reinforce the support posts. There are quite a few areas of rot and we are grateful for them giving their time to eek some more life out of the pavilion!!
We’re also looking at ways of converting part of the shower space into storage – undoubtedly the growth in playing numbers at the Club is a brilliant thing – the challenge is where to store the increasing amount of kit needed to support these new sections, so we are having to be creative within our existing facility.
Indoor training is now starting for our junior, women’s and men’s sections and as the evenings are starting to get longer the outdoor cricket season will be upon us before you know it, so hope to catch up with you soon.
In Memoriam
We’re sorry to report that David Thorpe sadly passed away recently. He was a loyal servant of the Club: representing the club on the pitch with a straight bat, and off it with dignity and a passion for cricket, and due to his service was recognised as a Life Vice President. He was also very active in cricket in the local area, heavily involved in the formation of the Invicta League back in the early 80’s and was always keen to impart his knowledge of batting on younger generations. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with Mark and Lee, and the rest of his family. We will share details on the service for those that would like to commemorate him.
Senior Cricket
Men’s
Pleased to announce that after a vote of paid-up playing members, James Rumbles has been appointed as 1st Team Captain for the coming season. We are still to finalise the 2nd XI Captain – we do have some interested parties and options which might include a shared role, so if you are interested, please do let the Chair know. Hassan Hadi continues as Sunday XI Captain.
Following the experiment of midweek cricket last year we will again be entering into the Last Man Stands competition, but will not be entering the Smash. There is no midweek captain, but some of the senior players will be managing it and we hope it again provides opportunities for: juniors to make the step up to adult cricket, those looking to return to cricket, those for whom midweek games work better timewise, and for those women wanting to try their hand at hardball cricket.
Please make every effort to attend training sessions before the start of season. The 1st XI has a point to prove following relegation last year and the 2nd XI will face tougher opposition following promotion. What better way to prepare for a sticky dog in May than a nice bouncy indoor track at Tonbridge School? Please can everyone ensure they reply to Spond notifications so we can get a better idea of attendance in advance.
Women’s
This year we have again entered the Kent softball festival’s and have recently been informed that we will be playing in a different pool, so will face new opponents in Holmesdale, Cowdrey and Platt rather than Penshurst, Capel and Castle Hill as we have these past few years. We will also be entering the Smash competition, and with a number of Sunday’s available on the Common hoping better scheduling will enable more games to actually be played this year.
We continue to explore hardball cricket opportunities – we decided not to enter a side into the development division of the Kent League – and will start incorporating into indoor training which starts from the first week of February as we are due to host our first hardball friendly on 8 June, on the Common.
Junior Cricket
We have sent a letter and membership renewal form out to all of last year’s juniors, and have had a strong response already, so thanks to those that have actioned as required.
This year we will be entering the Kent Under 9s festivals, the Kent Under 11 girls softball tournament and for hardball will be running two mixed teams at Under 11s, two at Under 13s and one Under 15 team, whilst we will also have a girls team at either Under 12 or 13 and one at Under 15 (the league are still to decide the age groups).
Indoor training has started for the girls and will be starting for the boys from mid-February (Under 11 and Under 13s) and from early March for Under 15s. You should have, or will be receiving further information shortly, but do get in touch as needed.
Club Shop
The Club Shop window is now open until the end of February, when the bulk order will be put in with items ready from middle to the end of March for collection.
Our Club Shop is managed through our local cricket shop, Kent Cricket Direct. You can order in person or online at https://www.kentcricketdirect.co.uk/teamwear/southborough-cc-shop/ Password is SCC2021
150 Club
We have 17 squares available to buy at the moment - each square costs £24 per year (or £2 per month) and there is a monthly draw where the winner takes away £100, with an extra draw at the dinner. Any proceeds from this scheme are re-invested in improvements for the Club’s membership.
If you are interested in playing a square, please contact the 150 Club organiser, Phil Davis (philcodavis@gmail.com).
Recent winners are:
September Ian Pilbeam
Dinner Draw Will Berendt
October Simon Fisher
November Richard Tucker
December Kate Sharpe
January Ian Pilbeam