Avoncroft Cricket Club

Treat your local cricket club with respect – or lose it

Although Avoncroft CC has not been playing either outdoor or indoor cricket since late September, there has still been plenty of off the field activity.

The cricket square has received considerable Owing to a disputed right of way footpath, TLC in order to be in prime condition for this a minority of dog walkers use the whole April and work has started on refurbishing and ground to exercise their dogs, including on the enlarging the lounge/bar areas in the pavilion, in pitches themselves. Despite clear notices at the the expectation that they will be in use this season. entrances - which have been regularly vandalised

The executive committee has been hard at or destroyed - some walkers insist it is their work through Zoom meetings in planning future right to go wherever they wish. growth and initiatives. Members have great concerns that some

Foremost amongst those is the club’s plan to altercations and confrontations could become start a Third XI this coming season. This will be unpleasant and CCTV is now covering the primarily to introduce the many younger players whole field with pictures beamed to the relevant in the club to regular competitive cricket, members. albeit of a friendly and learning nature. Members In addition, the club’s new nets, provided with are currently searching near and far to find or a generous donation by Bromsgrove District develop a ground for this prospective new team. Council’s Community Fund have had holes cut in The format of Saturday league cricket awaits clarification from the Worcestershire Cricket Board but is likely to be more localised with fewer long distance away venues. them, as has the rope around the fence protecting the square. The fence has also had to be re-erected four times this winter. The police have been informed and are now making on-site visits. The club has made strenuous efforts in recent years to be a centre for the community and members are aghast at the lack of cooperation of a small number of people who clearly do not respect the opportunities offered by a voluntary organisation which is trying to help young by Rod Braithwaite The club has always wished to be a centre of provision for the local community, especially young people, and hopes that in future this vision can be shared by all. Otherwise the long-term outlook for such an organisation is bleak indeed. www.avoncroftcc.co.uk people in particular.