It’s a great feeling when I can open this month’s update by saying cricket starts “next month” - it seems like an eternity since the stumps were pulled up last September.
So, on a personal level February was a very different month for me as I launched my new business and started a couple of pieces of consultancy work; one in IT and one helping a local football club out with some strategic planning. Now I’m not quite at the level where I can start splashing around big advertising boards at the club, I’m hoping my product will appeal to a few of you as it’s dealing in ‘beer’!! Right, last unashaming plug - check out what I’m doing at www.beersno42.co.uk which should be live later today.

Whilst it’s been a really busy month for me on a business level, my focus to Club business hasn’t deviated and there’s been plenty going on.

As a Governing Committee we’ve committed to a fair bit of expenditure as there’s a few areas we need to address. For anyone who’s been in the club over the winter you will have noticed the ‘water feature’ we now have which has been caused by a leak in the roof. Unfortunately the roof is in a state that we can’t just patch it up so there’s some major overhaul work needed. We’ve also had an issue with the cooling unit which caries out one of the most important jobs in the club - keeping your beer cool, so that needs replacing. The entire tearoom, including steel girders has had a lick of paint as it’s not been touched since it was built five years ago, and finally we’ve got some speed bumps being installed on the driveway to protect people as cars appoach the clubhouse. Phew - quite a list and whilst none of them carry quite the ‘razzmatazz’ as some of the more visible projects we’ve undertaken, this doesn’t mean they are any less important.

I think what is pleasing, and without going into detail is that through the sound financial management the Governing Committee have shown over the years, we are able to fund these projects without external support.

Looking ahead, you will have hopefully seen we have published the social events we plan to run throughout te year. These kick off with the ‘family games night’ on 15th March, and for anybody who’s been to one of these before, Charlie Ward does an amazing job and its a really fun night. Please do what you can to support as many events as you can as a) they really help to raise money for those kind of projects I’ve mentioned above, b) they help create a real ‘one club’ feel and c) they’re great fun! As stated before, these events will only happen if we get enough volunteers to help out.

To sign off, I was reading on Wisden’s website about North Middlesex CC who are enjoying a huge amount of success and really focus on the “one club” ethos I’ve talked about many times and like to think we have embodied in our club. Reading the ear tickle, there’s so many similarities you could almost be reading about Upton. Have a read for yourself and see what you think - https://www.wisden.com/stories/your-game/club-spotlight-north-middlesex-cc-countys-most-successful-club-reveals-its-secrets

Cheers
Jez Lamb, Chairman