Ground Covers for Village Cricket Club

My name is Nigel Dickinson and I represent a village cricket club at Great Dalby in rural Leicestershire. Great Dalby Cricket Club is one of the few remaining small village clubs within the Melton Borough Community and as such we are totally reliant on volunteers and our own fundraising efforts to keep the club running which in these days of higher living costs is an increasingly difficult task.

The club, being based in the village, is very much part of the village in the same way as the church, school,

village hall and pub. It helps promote a good community atmosphere and gives local people the opportunity to play a sport and/or engage socially with the wider village community at our fundraising events.

In order for us to continue, we need to continue to develop our club which involves the upkeep of the ground and just as important, attract new playing members. On a continual basis, we have to fund maintenance of the ageing mowers, repairs to fencing and the pavilion, fuel for the generator as we have no mains power, upkeep of the toilet facilities and providing league defined match balls.

We would like to be able to invest in covers to try and prevent the loss of matches due to rain and its impact on the ground conditions. Not only is a loss of a match a frustration to the players in terms of league points and status it is also a significant loss of funds due to the non-collection of match fees.

First established in 1900 we have a long history of competing in local cricket competitions and it is our desire to be able to continue to provide this facility for generations to come. However, in order to achieve this, it is essential we not only maintain our facility but we also we look to build a youth section and develop new players to participate in the sport in a safe and welcoming environment.

Thank you for your support