A letter from Rod

Beechlands,
Rotherfield Road,
Henley-on-Thames,
Oxon, RG9 1NR.

20th February, 2007

Dear Harpsden CC member,

I do hope you have had an enjoyable autumn and winter so far and that watching too much of the cricket in Australia hasn’t left you out of favour with your boss/wife/headmaster/significant other!

The wheels of the Harpsden Cricket Club winter machine have been whirring frantically over the last few months to ensure that everything is in great shape for the start of the new season. Suzie Bradley has again worked immensely hard preparing another attractive list of fixtures with even more of those being scheduled at home than in previous seasons.

There have been a few decisions made and a few changes taken place over the closed season. Firstly, Will Stevens has accepted our offer of the position of Club Vice Captain, supporting Andrew Norton again as Club Captain. Will essentially fulfilled this role last season without the title and we are very pleased that he has accepted the formalised role.

The outside of the pavilion has benefitted from overdue repair and painting, fortunately still in Cricket Club green! The railings are due to be painted soon as is the repair and painting work on the roller and machinery sheds. We are in the process of extending the water supply out to the square so it will be easier to water the used pitches to enable swifter recovery times. 2 new Kookaburra Cricket bats and new cricket gloves have been purchased as have new boundary markers in cases where we are using one of the pitches on the edges of the square – this should reduce our insurance as heart attacks for the older members become less likely!

A few dates for your diaries;

Sunday 4th March to Sunday 15th April, inclusive (excluding Sunday 8th April); from 10.30am to 11.30am Nets at Shiplake College Take A4155 from Henley towards Reading. Shiplake College is on your left after ‘Shiplake Cross’. Take the 2nd, ‘All Visitors’ drive into the College.

Follow drive down to the main house, bear left and go past the main building on your right and park in the car park straight ahead. The Sports Hall is a wooden building with glass doors on the left hand side just before you cross the drive to go into the car park).

Sunday 11th March, Noon; AGM at Harspden Hall.

Tuesday 13th March; Cricket World Cup begins.

Saturday 28th April; 1st Harpsden home match against Woodcote and World Cup Final.

Sunday 29th April; 1st Harpsden away match, at Wargrave.

Sunday 1st July; Fathers and Sons

Friday 6th July and Saturday 7th July; Tour to Lobsters in the New Forest.

Sunday 8th July; President’s XI vs Chairman’s XI.

Monday 27th August; Harspden Six-a-Sides.
Will Stevens, Andy Bryan and Horatio Carey are organising a reincarnation of this popular competition on the August Bank Holiday – more details as the season progresses.

Saturday 22nd September; Annual Dinner.

I am pleased to say that as a result of the effort of many people, as well as the kind support of our Patrons and Vice Presidents, that we have been able to keep membership and playing costs for Adults the same as last year (£60 season ticket or £6 per game) whilst actually reducing them for Students (still £3 per game but now only £20 for a season ticket).

It is not only the pavilion that will look smarter next season as one of the other things that has been organised over the winter is the availability of sweaters, shirts and caps with Harpsden logos. Please see the enclosed details.

Joanna Cary has kindly brought us all kicking and screaming into the 21st Century by setting up Harpsdens very own blog at http://harpsdencricketclub.blogspot.com .Do have a look at it as it carries the full report from Horatio on last year’s dinner and full batting and bowling averages from last season. We have several ideas of how to use the blog this season but would be grateful for all your suggestions as the season starts.

Team organisation remains an onerous task and Jane has very kindly offered to do it again this season but if you were able to contact her (01491 575126) before the season starts with your early season availability that would be very helpful. With respect to pitch preparation please contact me (07974 959 438 or rodbirkett@btinternet.com) if you feel you can help Richard and I this season.

We are always looking to enhance the membership of the club as it is the people who make it what it is. Do please bring your cricketing friends along to the pre-season nets or introduce them as the season progresses.

Look forward to seeing you at the nets,

With best regards,

Rod Birkett