Dear ##firstname##
With this, the third monthly update, we
trust that you are still all in good health and staying safe. Whilst
we continue to be faced with challenging times there appears to be
some light at the end of the tunnel and we are seeing an easing of
some of the restrictive measures. We’d again like to share our
appreciation for all the NHS and key workers who have been doing an
amazing job.
Although the ECB will be restarting
some international cricket in July and some professional or county
cricket might start in August, there is still no prospect of grass
roots or recreational cricket starting soon. However, with the
relaxation of some stay at home restrictions, the ECB have sanctioned
a return to limited net practice and training, providing that we
continue to observe the restrictions around social distancing,
sanitization and hand washing. We have put plans together to allow
net practice, three times a week and the first sessions started last
week. We are required to adhere to defined practice times, through a
strict pre-booking system and a senior member of the Club will be
present to ensure that all rules and restrictions are maintained.
As we reported last month, the grounds,
outfield and wicket are still being maintained in anticipation of
cricket and some other projects are being considered to further
improve our training facilities. We are in the process of refining a
proposal to completely redevelop and upgrade the current nets with
the intention of creating a top-class practice facility for both
senior and junior cricketers going into the 2021 season. Plans for
this project will be put on show outside the Club pavilion shortly.
The Club is still in total ‘shutdown’,
but some improvement work has continued. We have, of course, lost
all our revenue streams for the immediate future but with the help of
the ECB we have launched a ‘Spacehive’ crowdfunding platform,
designed to help Clubs get through this time of inactivity and raise
some funds which the Club has been missing. Whilst we raised our own
funds, the ECB will also contribute towards our funds for projects.
We have set up our own page and hope to reach our target in the
allocated time. We are asking if members, only if able, to offer
their support via a "membership" donation to help the club
financially during this time. Further information about how this
will help the Club is available on our page, at
https://www.spacehive.com/bledlowvillagecc-covid19
We would like to thank all those who
have donated and continue to support the Club through these strange
and difficult times.
We continue to wonder whether Bledfest
will be able to go ahead this year, and continue to think about what
can be done now just in case restrictions be relaxed. We are still
hopeful that we may be in a position to be able to stage some form of
‘party event’ towards the end of the year.
We remain thankful that the Bledlow
Family is strong and we appreciate your continued support. As
always, if you have any other thoughts, questions or ideas please
don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Roger Downes, Chairman