Newsletter - Issue 1 March 25

Newsletter - Issue 1 March 25

As we head into the new season, I will be aiming to write a monthly newsletter to keep everyone informed about club matters, upcoming events, and any important updates. Communication is key to keeping the club running smoothly and ensuring that all members are up to date with what's happening on and off the field.

Pre-Season Working Party

As the new season is fast approaching, I want to remind you that we have a Working Party at the Weald scheduled on the 5th of April. We want to see as many of you as possible to help get the ground ready for action. We will be sending around a list of jobs that we will be asking members to support and volunteer some time on the 5th to help.

Woody has already been working hard and dedicating his free time to preparing the square. He has reported that he is ahead in preparations this season compared to last year. As we had a successful season financially last year, we have been able to point some extra funds to the ground. This year, we have had the square and outfield aerated, and we will be purchasing extra loam for better upkeep during the season.

Annual Memberships

It's the time of year that annual subscriptions for your membership of the club are now due. You should have received a notification in Teamo nudging you for payment. Follow the link to pay by card or direct debit. Payment by cash or bank transfer is fine; please drop me a note if you pay by bank transfer or cash.

The Clubs Bank account details:

Sort Code: 23-05-80

Account Number: 48229459

We have kept annual subs the same as last season, as voted at the AGM. The same applies to match fees, although there is an adjustment in match fees if no tea is provided, either home or away. More about teas later. If you haven't received an invoice or a request in Teamo, please let me know.

The full details of fees can be found here: https://brookwealdcc.co.uk/annualSubscriptionsMatchFeesSeason2025 

Teas

This season, there has been a directive from the league regarding clubs supplying teas. In their wisdom, the league has stated that it is no longer compulsory for clubs to offer tea. Additionally, if a club chooses to supply teas, they must comply with food hygiene rules and regulations and mark all items with food allergy information. The committee feels that this is a step too far and will most likely mark the end of the traditional cricket tea.

As a result, the committee has decided that we will not be offering tea to the opposition. However, we will provide tea for our members. On some matchdays, we will experiment with a light tea during the innings break and have food laid on again for members after the match. Captains will provide more information on a match-to-match basis.

Cherie Forrest has decided to step down from making Tea for the 2nd team this season. I'm sure all members will join the committee in expressing a heartfelt thanks for all the years she has given up her Saturdays for Brookweald. During her tenure, Brookweald gained the reputation of providing one of the best Tea’s in the league - and quite rightly so. Thank you, Cherie! We all hope to see you at the Weald, hopefully with your feet up, enjoying the sunshine.

Insurance

The club has taken out an insurance policy for personal injury. This insurance is for fully paid-up members of the club and basically covers members for injuries or accidents that occur on the club premises. Full details will be available at the club, or contact Rob H for more information.

New Practice Pitch

This season we will finally be installing the practice pitch. We raised around £800 from our GoFundMe page and other donations, notably £150 donated by Hornchurch Athletic. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

The practice pitch will be positioned on the boundary near the Petanque terrain. Together with the mobile batting cage, we will have a great practice facility that will enable us to have a knock before and during matches, hopefully improving our performances on the pitch. We aim to have it in before the first league matches.

Both the first and second teams are under new leadership for this season. Waz and Del have taken on the reins of the Ones and Twos, respectively. The committee wishes them both well for the season, and hopefully, we will be celebrating promotions at the end-of-season awards night. The committee asks for support from the members when it comes to availability this year and wants to remind everyone that Brookweald is one club with two teams!

The Chairman, Phil Lee, will be writing a note soon explaining 'The Brookweald Way.' This is essentially a code of conduct when representing 'Our Brookweald,' so look out for this in your inboxes and WhatsApp channels shortly.

And finally

We have a few events planned this year, with more information on these coming nearer the time. One thing I will say is that we are going big for the Brookweald Club Day - more information to follow...

All the best.

Rob