Dear Hayfield Resident                                                    February 2008

This is the first newsletter of 2008 for the Hayfield Cricket Club. 2008 is our 149^th year in existence, and I would like to introduce you to the existing programme of events we have planned.

Our drive for this year is to involve as many people as we can from the village, and surrounding area, in playing Cricket, supporting the club, or just attending the social events we are in the process of organising.

2007 was a great year for the club, at junior and senior level, with a number of trophies, and the First X1 ending joint winners of the League.

We have improved the club facilities during 2007, with new changing facilities, shower rooms, and general upgrading of the Club area.

We continue to work hard, supporting cricket at all levels, with particular focus on encouraging junior cricket. At a time when our children have so many other things to occupy them, from play stations to hanging around at the bus stop, it becomes more and more important to give them an alternative outlet for their talent! We welcome all boys and girls.

Junior Cricket

We will be running the registration for the new season, on Friday 4th April from 6.00 pm at the club, and I would encourage everybody with children to come along and register. Junior Cricket covers children from 6 years of age, all the way up to the Under 19s, boys and girls, and we welcome everybody, whatever their ability.

The Saturday morning practice starts on Saturday 19th April at 10.00 am, and we have the benefit of top Lancashire coach Paul Taylor’s coaching skills again this year.

Junior charges are £10.00 for membership £2.00 for Saturday coaching.

We also hope to have a bacon butty stall on Saturday morning for parents and coaches – all profits to club funds – help needed!

NatWest Cricket Force

New for 2008, we are taking part in the NatWest Cricket Force programme – a self-help working weekend, supported by NatWest, where we get the club and ground ready for the new season. This takes place over the weekend of April 5/6th, and we need as much help as we can get. There will be a fun night and local band on the Saturday night.

Social and Fund-Raising Programme for 2008

While the senior teams are self-funding through match fees, the juniors, the club infrastructure and ground all need support from the village, with fund raising and family membership fees – A big thank you to everybody who supported us in 2007. For 2008, we are busy organising some more social activities:

• We are planning to have an 80s Night on Saturday 8th March in the club, with the usual format: music, light supper, and free bar! - Tickets will be £15
• The Ladies team are planning a Fun Day and 6-a-side on Sunday 18th May, followed by a Disco
• May Queen - The Cricket club will be supporting the May Queen again with a float manned by the Juniors – If you are able to help, please let us know
• The Duck Race, with a BBQ and Fun Day will be Sunday 6th July – More later
• On Monday 25th August, the late summer Bank Holiday, we are hoping to have a West Indian Cricket Festival at the Club, with a match between Hayfield and a West Indies team, followed by music and food – Still in the planning stage, but a date for your diary
• The Summer Ball in 2007 was another success and we are running it again in 2008, with a slightly changed format. The date is Saturday 28th September. As always, we would like to get as many people from the village as possible to attend
• The Sportsman Dinner will be on Friday 7th November
• On Saturday 29th November, we will have a Curry Night in the club. Usual format - Can you show off your Indian cooking prowess?
• Bonfire Night was another great success in 2007, where we welcomed hundreds of people to the ground. We will be doing the same this year, and the date for your diaries is Saturday 8th November
• If you are able to help with any of the events, or with the teams, we are always looking for new people, please let somebody in the club know - You will be very welcome

So not long now before the season starts and I hope to welcome you at the ground, to play, join the juniors, practice, or just to come along and watch.

Yours faithfully,

W Higginbottom

Chairman