down. With Steve Mitchell’s influence, and Karl Brotherhood’s help in sourcing it, the club have recently bought a John Deere 300R ride-on rotary mower from Parks & Grounds Machinery to cut the outfield. The roller is an old Bomag, a tried and trusted road roller that “does a good job”, according to Graham. Graham carries out the end of season
renovations himself, co-opting other members to help, undertaking the usual processes of scarifying, topdressing (eight bags per strip) and overseeding. As for aerating the square, this is done when hiring in suitable equipment and weather conditions allow. Like most village cricket clubs, there seems to be precious time left in the week to maintain the square, especially with so much activity going on - the junior sides utilise the square Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, U17s have net practice on Fridays and the senior sides usually play on both days of the weekend.
FOOTNOTE: It is imperative that village cricket clubs continue to survive; they are the catalyst for providing the next generation of cricketers to go on to represent their counties or country. Both Hunningham and Long Itchington are a fair representation of village cricket life the length and breadth of the UK, in the way they provide the opportunity for local people to get involved in the game. These clubs also provide a valuable
Steve Franks, Graham Foster, Alex Jack and Steve Mitchell
service to the community, encouraging young people to learn the life skills that are part and parcel of playing for a sports club. It gives them something constructive to do in the long, balmy summer’s evenings (I wish, Ed). And, how do you put a price on what the villagers themselves gain? However, everyone, cricketers and villagers alike, need to understand that there is a cost to playing cricket in terms of pitch provision. The ECB reckon that the minimum cost of putting on any sort of cricket match is £200, yet I still see far too many clubs charging next to nothing for being an active member. Surely, it is
L-r
r: Allen Hickling, Tom Crosthwaite,
Players ground rota
about time people paid a fair price or, better still, devoted some of their time to helping their club remain viable. Hunningham CC and Long Itchington
CC are prime examples of what can be achieved with a team of devoted members.
From village green to county ground
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atwww.boughton.co.uk and download an analysis sheet to find outwhich of our three cricket loams are most suitable for your ground.
Boughton Kettering, Club, and County Loams are sourced locally and analysed to establish compatibility and conformity. They are then screened and can be supplied dried and sterilised or untreated for construction projects.
Boughton Loam is available nationwide. To find your local stockist of bagged products please use the post code selector on ourwebsite
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