I have to start this month's update on a somber note as I reflect on the extremely sad news we received just over a week ago when we learnt of the death of Club President, Harry Sharrock. I think it’s clear the impact Harry made on not only Upton Cricket Club, but also cricket on the Wirral and Cheshire from the tributes that have been pouring in. Having joined the Club myself not long after Harry, he was always a person I saw as being involved ‘administratively’ whether that be as Junior Chairman, Chairman and then latterly as President. However I can say I had the pleasure of playing in the same 4th XI as Harry in my younger days when I was a slogger coming in down the order and Harry was that calming figure to keep me in check! Whilst it will no doubt be an extremely sad occasion on the 10th March when we get the opportunity to bid farewell, I’m sure there will be plenty of fond memories to look back on with the family, UCC members and folk from further afield. Harry will be sorely missed as a fervent supporter of all the teams on a Saturday and his place on the benches will be noticeable. Knowing Harry, he’d be wanting the normal business of the Club to carry on so on that note, my attention will turn to updating you as to other things that have happened throughout last month.

February has been quite a momentous month for me as it saw my age (40) reach a number far higher than I ever aspired to with the bat in hand. Having celebrated my birthday at the Club when the tearoom was magnificently decked out to look like a marquee, I was then able to escape for a romantic Valentine's weekend (and Italy v England in the 6 Nations Rugby!) in Rome with 1st XI Captain, Tom Marsland - just to clarify, we weren't 'together', but rather in the same city at the same time with our respective other half's!

Back to reality, and Club business continues! A few weeks back I had the pleasure of a really nice conversation with the speaker for this year's Sportsman's Dinner on Friday 15th July; Willie Thorne. After speaking with Eric Jones (speaker at last year's Hot Pot) he put me in touch with Willie having worked with him not so long ago. He's apparently a first class speaker and will add something a bit different to this year’s Dinner and a break from the more traditional football route we've taken previously. To make my life easier, can I encourage you to spread the word about the Dinner and help sell tickets, whether they be to individuals or groups. More details can be found by clicking HERE.

The following night we have our Annual 'Black Tie' Summer Ball where The Trunk Monkeys will once again keep us all entertained. I'd really love to smash all attendance records for this and face the marquee company the challenge of providing a bigger 'tent' to accommodate everybody! Last year saw an influx of 'Junior' parents coming along and I'm hoping we'll see more of you this year as this is a function for the whole club. More details can be found HERE, and as with the Sportsman's Dinner, the earlier you can let me know the better please.

I'm also really pleased to announce that the marquee will be used on Wednesday 13th July by Wirral Community Police Boxing Club for a 'Boxing Night'. This is something I have been looking to put on for a while now, so was really pleased that after meeting with them we could get this night on. The night will consist of 10 fights with a host of top local boxing talent on display. The finer details are just being worked on and we should be able to announce these soon.

Wrapping up the 'social' side of things, the next event of the 2016 Social Calendar see's our 'Pie & Pint Special' when we will be showing the 6 Nations Rugby match between England and Wales on the 'big screen' on Saturday 12th March. The aim of the social events we are putting on this year is to raise money for a specific project, with all profits raised from the events ‘ring fenced’. Tickets cost £5 and includes (imaginatively!) a pie and a pint! We'd really love to see as many people from across the whole Club as possible. Further details can be found HERE.

I'm conscious that I've rambled on a lot about social functions and you may be thinking how this all ties back in to our primary purpose - to be a cricket club. Well my belief is it's about us being one big 'family' unit and if we can all come together and create a bond as a club, we'll all enjoy our cricket that little bit more as it's a place where we can feel comfortable whether that be as a player, spectator, parent etc.

I mentioned last month that as a Governing Committee we were prioritising some projects that need particular focus, and we have whittled the very long list down somewhat. It’s not surprise that the car-park and driveway figured prominently in those discussions and we are just getting quotes for these areas. We’d love to be able to re-lay both however that just isn’t feasible as it’d be a huge cost, but we are hopeful of finding a solution within our budget that can satisfy our needs. The other area we have identified is continuing to ‘refresh’ the club lounge area. We’re reviewing options to lighten the ceiling, reupholster the seating areas and also for some new tables and chairs. To set expectations, these jobs will take time and certainly the lounge refurbishment will have to be worked around times when the club is not in use, so please bear with us as we aim to make your club better.

And finally on a cricketing note, whilst I haven’t had the opportunity to get down and see how winter nets are getting on, I’m told that both the Senior & Junior nets have been well attended and have been going well. Things will line up nicely for the Seniors to move outdoors as soon as possible when the nights get lighter and it won’t be long before we get the opportunity to welcome Nat Sariman to Upton. Nat arrives on Tuesday 5th April, so he has plenty of time to familiarise himself ahead of the league season starting on 23rd April.

Yours in cricket

Jez Lamb
Chairman