Bright future for cricket club

Frome Cricket Club had a bright and prosperous season ahead of it with the First XI being promoted to WEPL, the 2nd XI looking for promotion, the 3rd XI and ladies teams building on their new team development and a thriving youth section. The club says, “With many fundraising events and plans, the future looked bright.

“With the resulting lock-down in March and all cricket, including training, stopped and the clubhouse closing at the end of the month, nobody could foresee what the season might hold or if the committee could implement sufficient emergency measures to protect the club’s financial position for the future.  

“Led by the committee and with the whole Frome Cricket Club family pulling together, we have had an army of volunteers cleaning and painting the inside and outside of the clubhouse, scorebox and all the railings around the pitch adhering to government guidelines.  

“A successful Frome Cricket podcast was arranged by head coach, Robin Lett and Reece Croker, which has raised in excess of £3,000 for the club and we’ve heard many interesting tales from the captains and talented cricketers at the club including Somerset Cricket Club demon bowler, Colin Dredge, who is the club’s president.

“We have also welcomed Ross Jenkins to the club, Ross played for the showmen as a teenager as part of the Somerset County Cricket Pathway.  It is great to welcome him back to Fromefield following his stints at Bath and the County, Let’s hope we get to see him in action this season!

“We have no further information from the leagues as to whether or not we will see any competitive cricket being played but, working within the ECB guidelines, we have been able to arrange some one-to-one training sessions for the adults.  Now the Government guidelines enable small groups of 6 to meet socially distanced, we are able to trial some small group training sessions in line with the ECB guidance and hope to be able to offer all our members some training over the coming weeks.  Not only is exercise good for us all, but we are mindful of the mental health impact being in the lockdown situation has had on many people throughout the world, and are keen to get our members back as soon as we safely can.

“Unfortunately, the Co-vid situation means that our two major fundraising outdoor cinema nights have had to be postponed, which means we have more work to do to ensure the club has some financial income for the rest of the year.  

“We continue to run the 100 Club, which has a draw every month with £100 as the first prize.  If you would like to join, please contact fromecricketclub@sky.com for application form and further information.   We would ask that anyone doing online shopping at this time, consider doing so through the easyfundraising portal and choose to support Frome Cricket Club as their charity.  Please see www. easyfundraising.org.uk    The club will receive a donation for everything you purchase and it does not cost you anything!  

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported the club in any way during these unprecedented times, from volunteering, paying membership fees, supporting fundraising initiatives or making tea for the voluntary workforce.  Your contribution is very much appreciated.

“We hope that we will all get the chance to see the Showmen back out in their whites this year and to welcome you to the club but, in the meantime, please stay safe and well.”