CHAIRMAN’S NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2023

Dear Members / Players / Socialites

The Summer weather seems determined to continue, but Cricket is definitely over.

Recruitment for 2024 has started very well, and hopefully that will also continue but we will always welcome more players.

Our thoughts now turn to end of season events such as the Annual Dinner (details below), year-end financials and the AGM which will be in early December. A small party of us will attend the Essex League dinner in a week or so as we owe them a lot for their support in running the leagues.

Firstly, the Annual Westcliff on Sea CC Dinner will be on 7th November with a good level of interest so far – details as follows:

ANNUAL DINNER at The Chalkwell Park Rooms

London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea
7.00 for 7.45 pm on Tuesday, 7th November 2023
Guest Speaker: DERMOT REEVE OBE
The former Warwickshire & England Cricketer

The Menu
Starter: Tomato & Basil Soup with roasted garlic ciabatta croute
Main Course: Braised Beef & Ale Pie** with Potatoes & Vegetables
** Vegan options are available on request
Dessert:​ Apple & Cinnamon Crumble Tart with Custard
Tea or Coffee
Cost per Head: £35.00

To book a seat or table please contact: John Geddes, 368 Southbourne Grove, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 0AQ. Tel: 01702 344644 or e:mail: john_geddes@btconnect.com

Please pay by either Bank Transfer or by cheque payable to Westcliff-on-Sea Cricket Club by no later than 24 October.

The AGM date has yet to be agreed but if you have any nominations for Officers or Captains please let us know.

We had a Players Meeting on 17th September at the Pavilion, and I was very pleased at the attendance. It was a good debate around an open range of subjects but in short the following actions were taken:

1. AGM – a proposal that we invite participants online and also vote for officers by email. Subsequent to the meeting I have consulted the Constitution and there is nothing to prevent online participation, but the votes are decided “on a simple majority of the votes cast on a show of hands.”
2. Supersopper – a proposal to buy these machines for the club up to £800 plus VAT – to be discussed by the Committee.
3. DBS – we need to manage the School’s requirements which now include the premises but a proposal that we aim for a number per team.
4. Teas for other than 1st and 2nd team. A good debate and the conclusion was that should captains wish to have Teas they contact their opposite numbers and agree.
5. There was a good debate around adult players and how we balance the Club against the need to recruit better players. On the whole it was felt that the balance was about right.
6. Social media (e.g. Instagram and Google) – we need a volunteer to improve our presence or at least talk to our web provider.
7. Recruitment was discussed at some length including the need for more adult players some of which could be covered in 5 and 6 above. We do need offer more than just cricket, for example social events as well.
8. It is apparent that the Club is very short of volunteers across a range of activities such as youth, coaching, admin (particularly Treasurer role), Welfare Officer vacant etc etc.. However, Harry Pitchforth has volunteered to chair a Social Committee.
9. Tour in 2024 – another item raised and possibly Brad Smith might organise it.
10. 2024 Coaching – Manish is currently working on a revised costed plan for next year to develop what we started in 2023. Again, volunteers will be key.
11. Net repairs – we need to complete this for the broken cage.

Overall, there is a huge need for more help whether for youth, training and coaching, nets management etc. etc., so if you wish to get involved, let us know. The unveiling of a tribute to the late David Thomas took place on 17th September when the Club played Mount and will be on permanent display in 2024.

Manish Patel is working with the coaches on our plan for 2024 when we will continue the great work and learn from things that we can do better. Kam Khan has decided not to run Friday sessions or the U9 and frankly has done an awesome job for this Club. So, we will be looking for someone or some people to pick up those reins in 2024, but generally we have struggled all year to get enough adults on Fridays in particular which has put huge strain on the few. We will try and encourage more helpers, but if you want to help let James Currell or me know.

And yet another volunteer opportunity – Our First team scorer, Harry Pitchforth, is hanging up his pen as he wants to play next season. He has done a superb job for the Club, so we are now looking for a replacement in 2024. The scoring is pretty much done on an Ipad and is a requirement for first team matches. It is important enough that we remunerate it, and it might suit anyone – we could even form a pool of people to share the role. If you are interested in finding out more, please let me know.

Last month I also raised the issue of increasing the membership of the Prize Draw which is a great way of supporting the Club and makes you a social member. Indeed, the Draw paid for the new equipment at WHSB and is a great resource for the Club. We have seen a slow reduction in numbers, so we want to try and replace them. We can always welcome more to this group. The monthly draws have prizes of £100, £50 and various £20 prizes, and then £500 three times a year. If you are interested, I attach a mandate.

We are very much on top of subs and match fees, but are chasing down the last few so pay up, please.

The County are running an Umpires course and if you wish to have at least an overview of the key issues then details as follows with interested parties to contact Stewart Orrock in the first instance.

I have liaised with Alastair (Chair at Hadleigh & Thundersley CC) to run the Introduction to Umpiring course in their Pavilion, starting at 7 p.m. on Monday 16th October. If anyone wants to come and join/ help me, you are more than welcome.

Also, if any of you have any contacts in other clubs so that you can invite more candidates that would be useful. The course covers:

• Positioning at striker’s end and bowler’s end
• Wide Balls
• No Balls – Front Foot, non-pitching above waist height and pitching over head-height
• Methods of dismissal – bowled, stumped, run out, caught, hit wicket
• Signalling – 6, 4, out, no ball, wide, leg bye, bye

We are looking at moving to “coloured” shirts for the midweek teams in 2024, not least driven by the players. If anyone wishes to buy one (even as a Christmas present) then click here all the details. Thanks once again to MCL (our sponsors) for helping us.

More dates for your diary – 2024 Nets will commence at WHSB on 6th February 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to 21st May for youths and then 8th February 6.30 p.m. till 8 30 p.m. for adults till 23rd May.

As always, please let me have your views on any issue relating to the Club – I am trying to be inclusive to everyone.

The Chairometer has got the polo shirts back out of the cupboard again !

YOUNGERS