by | Apr 29, 2020 | Uncategorized
The fertilizer has been on the square for about three weeks and there’s been no rain. But we cannot delay taking the photos again, greened up grass or no.
That was yesterday. When Howard Waters signed the contract as our new groundsman on March 1, the outfield and square were under water. Much more rain and we doubted the season would start before May. We worried that the grass would grow too long before we could get the mower on it.
Now that all seems a long time ago. The ground looks the proverbial picture and we’re ready to go. Except we can’t. Not until July at least.
But whenever we can get on it, the ground will be as good as it’s ever been. I told Howard about that league record score a couple of years ago – 465 for one wicket – and he shrugs his shoulders; “well it won’t be any worse”. They’ve even tamed what were the grass tennis courts giving rise to hopes that area could be put back to productive use.
They. What we didn’t realise in March was that Howard comes as part of a package. His partner, Elina, is also a ground contractor. Which is just as well given the amount of preparation work needed across March and April, always the most important time of the year, and with two other grounds at Gore Court and Torry Hill to look after as well as his private client work (see https://staplehurstcricket.com/green-hand-gardens). Their son, William, has been at the Club, too, but more focused on remote school work.
So social distancing hasn’t been an issue. But we only finally received clarification last week from the authorities on groundwork during lockdown. It seemed the Waters’ were fine working on the ground but, as an unlisted essential occupation, not necessarily travelling from their home in Maidstone – they spent the last two years working at the Mote – and it’s not as though they’re inconspicuous in their big black pick-up.
Now it’s clarified, we can tell everyone they’ve spent hours at the ground in recent weeks getting it to look as good as it does. Unfortunately, you will have to take our word for it unless your daily exercise takes you past the Club. The photos don’t do it justice………or reveal much about the art of verticutting. And with the rain, there will now be a greener tinge too.
But if you do get the chance, shout and say hello. When we’re able, we will find an excuse to introduce the Waters to everyone more appropriately over a glass or two. Except the President who already knows Howard – Paul Motum was his skipper at Gore Court in a past life – so he’s clearly not a bad player either.
by | Apr 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
UPDATE******** The Fundraising page has just burst through it’s initial £500 target. But it’s not too late to support the lads and donate what you can for this worthwhile cause.
Tomorrow would have been the start of the league season. With virtual wins over ‘friendly’ rivals Sissinghurst and Tenterden (see Facebook group) we could have looked forward in good heart.
As it is, there is no cricket and unlikely to be any before July. So a number of the cricketers – eight so far and more welcomed to join in – have committed to ‘celebrate’ the start of the league season by running 5 kilometres – socially isolated – in full batting gear to raise money for Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Charitable Fund.
The idea was Graham Ward’s and he will be joined – figuratively speaking – by Tom Davey, Tom Henson, Tom Havard, Aaron Davey, Steve Fuller, Sam McConnel and Simon Hunter.
You can support ALL the lads in their fundraising endeavours by making a donation on Graham’s Just Giving page here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/5knotout2020
Please give generously and you can catch up with the oucome in due course here.
by | Apr 9, 2020 | Uncategorized
To support local businesses during the current COVID-19 crisis, Staplehurst Cricket & Tennis Club is opening up its business directory to FREE listings for the remainder of the year.
Staplehurst Business Directory currently provides information and contact details for over 40 sponsors and advertisers. It is housed on our website https://staplehurstcricket.com/business-directory/ and App users can also access through the Business Directory button.
With people increasingly recognising the value of using local suppliers, reinforced by current circumstances, we think having local businesses featured in one place with product information, contact details and links to their online offer is a valuable service to the local community. Through Facebook advertising, it is also promoted to around 35,000 local households within a 15km radius of Staplehurst.
Any local business can now apply to be listed FREE-OF-CHARGE. All listed businesses get a branded icon on the directory website home-page, a dedicated website page with their own unique weblink www.staplehurstcricket.com/your-business-name, and a listing feature on our accompanying Facebook page @StaplehurstBusinessDirectory
Interested businesses should email commercial@staplehurstcricket.com for more details.
So please be sure to use Staplehurst Business Directory, tell your friends about it, especially if they run a local business, and follow or ‘like’ the @StaplehurstBusinessDirectory Facebook page.
by | Apr 6, 2020 | Uncategorized
In view of the COVID-19 lockdown the belated March 100 Club draw took place live online this evening. Host John Swannick and adjudicator John Robins used the Random Number Generator to pick numbers and the winners were:
£120 – Steve Fuller
£50 – Russell Gormley
£30 – Sean Clark
£20 – Aaron Davey
The video recording of the event is accessible on this news story on the App.
If the current lockdown persists, we will hold the April draw in similar fashion and we may be able to invite anyone interested to join us live on the call. We will also, shortly, be publishing a list of the 100 Club number holders online.
To get further information on the 100 Club and to join ahead of the next draw – tickets are only £5 per month – go to our website here https://staplehurstcricket.com/100-club
