As H. Jackson Brown Jr. once said, “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more” and that is so true as I look around the club and see the endless hours that have gone in to ensure the 2017 season got off to such a flying start with all aspects of the club coming together nicely. We kick-started the season with a Charity Quiz Night at the beginning of April and once again raised some crucial funds for our charity partner, Vital Signs Foundation before Friday night junior practise started in earnest a couple of weeks back. Friday nights are such a great night and it’s nice to sit back and take in what’s going on – there’s hoards of children all running around enjoying their cricket and receiving some great tuition from our fantastic coaches and the parents can enjoy the hospitality on offer from the bar and BBQ. Whilst the latter is great, it would be a real boost to add to our ‘helper’ base which would ease some of the pressure on the coaches. This hopefully isn’t a big ask if a few people are able to help out and it may only be a couple of hours during the season if we can get enough volunteers. If you think you can help out, please speak to one of the coaches on a Friday night who will offer all the guidance and support you will need and you may well be surprised how much you get from this as well as the value the children get.

Whilst a lot of focus is clearly on what happens on the pitch, whether that be training or playing, none of it would be possible without those volunteers who put the work in behind the scenes. April got off to a great start with the annual Cricket Force weekend. Beforehand, I’d sat down with Grounds Chairman, John Lamb and set out the list of jobs we ‘hoped’ we’d get done. With one of the biggest turnouts seen in many a year, everything on the list was ticked off, plus a few other jobs which was an absolute bonus. The hard work was eased with the timely intervention of bacon & scrambled egg butties prepared by Kate Owen – all of which made for a great day and my personal thanks go out to everyone who gave up their time to help out. I know I’ve said it many times before, but we are so lucky to have such a dedicated volunteer base but they always need more help. The Tuesday and Friday guys won’t mind me saying but they are of advancing years and I’ve witnessed first-hand just how much the ‘off-season’ works have taken out of them with a couple of them being laid up for a while. Whilst the season may have started, the work continues as the finishing touches are put to the newly refurbished gents toilets, the seating area in the lounge is reupholstered and the new scorers area is erected. I urge all members not to take the work that goes on for granted and offer any help you can give, and certainly a “thank you” when you see these guys as without them the club would not be in the fantastic position it is.

At the beginning of the month we were able to welcome our overseas player Chris McArthur to the club. I’ve been fortunate to have the time to spend a fair bit of time with Chris showing him around and getting to know him and for those who haven’t met him properly yet you’ll see when you meet him what a cracking lad he his. He’s clearly a very talented cricketer as well as he’s already notched up 112 runs in his first couple of matches, but just like so many of our overseas players, he’s got the right attitude to fitting into what Upton Cricket Club is about and where we are going. This is testament to not only Chris, but to the hard work and research Andy Roberts and Tom Marsland did over the winter months on their back of Chadd Porters recommendation.

A couple of weeks ago, I was an interested bystander as Simon Simcox and Matt Owen unveiled their plans for Ladies Cricket. For a number of years now we have been developing our young female cricketers and the plans they talked about, which I know will come off, will provide that pathway for our girls to progress. We’ve already seen the fruits of this as only this weekend the 4th XI had Ellen McGowan and Jess Penny representing them. These girls are not just making the numbers up, they are acquitting themselves well and they have a great future.

Looking ahead, we have our first social event of the season on Saturday 13th May starting at 9pm after all the games have concluded. This is set to be a great night so please help spread the word and let’s see as many people down as these events not only raise a few quid to help us continue the development but also bring the club together in a social environment.

Right, time for me to sign off and start to pack my stuff as I’m heading off to Spain for an annual golf trip with my golf society. I’m hoping for a repeat of last year on the cricketing front as all four sides registered victories whilst I was away and there was talk of a whip round to send me away more often – I was up for it, but not sure Debs would be so keen!

Enjoy the month ahead, and let’s get behind all the teams right through from the 1st XI to the Under 9’s who start their season next Sunday.

Cheers
Jez Lamb
Chairman