Although numbers were well down on the past two record-breaking seasons, Great Melton’s  still had a 50-strong volunteer working party at Melton Park for Nat-West Cricketforce Day last Saturday.  “A slightly damp day plus the fact that it was the beginning of the Easter holiday might have had some effect on numbers,” said Chairman and volunteer coordinator, Steve Phoenix, “but we got most of the jobs done and our major project, began five weeks ago, has been completed.”

That project, to create a small patio area and garden at the front of the pavilion has involved other volunteers so the final total of Cricketforce participants is 53.  “We’ve got a very large membership and it is a bit disappointing that many of those members don’t get involved but 53 is still a very good number and I’m sure most clubs would be delighted with such a good turn-out,” said the Chairman.

As well as completing the patio and a small garden which will be dedicated to the memory of past player and secretary David Bartram who died unexpectedly last December, the workforce completed a vast array of other pre-season jobs.

Ably organised by workforce coordinator, Mally Howard, and kept supplied with tea, coffee and bacon butties by Steve Clarke, the volunteers managed to paint the walls, floor and doors of the kit store; paint all the fences and rails;  weed and de-moss the artificial pitches and net area; prepare the nets and paint the sightscreens.

A big thank you to all who attended and did such a great job, especially those who have worked on the patio project for the past 5 weeks.  Thanks are due too to Neal Clarke who coordinated it and to the Jewson Privilege Scheme which helped towards the cost.

The Melton Park season begins with practice for senior players on Tuesday 14th April with junior coaching officially starting on Friday 24th April.  There are still jobs to be done before then so, if any club members wish to make a contribution, there will be working parties at the ground on Saturday mornings on 11th & 18th April.