After a two week break, training at Coopers School will resume this Thursday (11th March) from 7.30pm.

With the season moving closer, all members are encouraged to attend these sessions over the next few weeks.

Upminster Cricket Club is pleased to announce that in 2010 it will once again be taking part in the "Chance To Shine" scheme.

"Chance To Shine" is a project run by the Cricket Foundation to provide cricket coaching in State Schools, in areas around Cricket Clubs.  The Clubs organise and provide the coaching in the schools meaning more youngsters are given a chance to play the game, and Clubs can go into these schools and play a part in the local community.  This will be the third season that Upminster Cricket Club has been involved with this scheme.

Two of the Club's ECB Level Two coaches, Nicky Ison and Martin Davis, will be working in six local schools throughout the summer.  These schools are Hall Mead, Coopers Coborn, Branfil, Engayne, Upminster Junior and James Oglethorpe.  Upminster Cricket Club would like to thank everyone at the Cricket Foundation, and the Essex County Cricket Board for allowing us to take part in this project once again.

Once again, Upminster Cricket Club will be taking part in the Natwest ECB CricketForce, which this year takes place on Saturday and Sunday, the 27th and 28th of March, and your help and support is needed!!!

CricketForce encourages cricket supporters, club members, friends and families to give something back to their local cricket club by volunteering to take part in works to improve the ground, practice facilities and clubhouse.

In past years Upminster Cricket Club have carried out major works on and around the ground during CricketForce.  These include a new patio outside the clubhouse, interior and exterior painting of the clubhouse, start of work on the net facilities next to the clubhouse, improvements to net facilities next to the tennis courts, work on sightscreens and improvements to the changing rooms.  This led to the Club being the "National Launch Club" for Natwest CricketForce in 2006, with England stars Alistair Cook and Monty Panesar visiting the Club to help with the work.

Once again in 2010, there are several tasks which need to be completed during this weekend, so everything is ready for the start of the 2010 season. So if you can spare an hour or two (or a bit longer), then please come to the clubhouse at any time from 10am on either the Saturday or the Sunday. If you have any equipment which you feel may be of use (tools, ladders, shovels etc) then please bring these with you, as they may well be of use.

Please keep your eyes on the website in the next few weeks for further details of this weekend.

We are now midway through February and only two months away from the first social event of the 2010 season - the Pre-Season Supper. As in previous years this will be a 3 course meal with unlimited wine for the bargain price of £25. This is traditionally our sell-out curtain raiser and it appears this year will be no different. Places are going fast and it is important to get in quick with your reservation. Also, I will require advance payment for all events this year due to no-shows from some for previous events - please send cheques / cash to M Chapman, 115 Axiom Apartments, Mercury Gardens, Romford, Essex RM1 3HJ or alternatively if you would prefer to transfer the money let me know when reserving your place and I will give you the Social Account details to use. Also, if anyone can donate any raffle prizes for this event we would be very grateful - no donation too large or small.

The other event which will require an early reservation due to a restriction on numbers is the UCC Ryder Cup 2010 to be held at Top Meadow golf club on Friday the 25th June. As with previous years this will be a fun day with prizes available for all players, not just those who have a handicap in single figures!! The format will be 27 holes, full English breakfast, hot lunch and 3 course evening meal all for the superbly negotiated price of £50 per person. This year, due to the regular business we are putting their way, and because they saw the size of us last year, Top Meadow have initially reserved us 10 buggies for the day. If you would like a buggy please let me know at the time of booking. As with the above please forward the money at your convenience!

If there is an event that you would like to see on the calendar, and think it is something other would appreciate and we can accommodate please let me know .

Finally, as we are a club that only looks to raise funds to improve facilities and coaching for all we are not in the habit of taking money from you for events you later cannot attend. We ask for money up front for events where we have overheads or costs are incurred up front. In the event that you pay for an event that you later cannot attend we will make every effort to fill your space and get all or some of your money back to you - although this may not always be possible.

I hope to see as many of you as possible soon, and hope that you're all wintering well.

Cheers

DB