'Cricket Force' volunteers spruce up club

A GROUP of dedicated volunteers have helped to spruce up the grounds of Aycliffe Sports Club in readiness for the new Cricket season.

More than 25 people involved with Aycliffe Cricket Club, including women and children, turned out to give the Sports Club grounds a new lease of life as part of a national initiative.

'Cricket Force' is an ECB (England Cricket Board) programme which encourages clubs around the country to tidy up their grounds after the harsh winter months.

The scheme is also supported by Natwest, who donated £500 to Aycliffe Cricket Club last week for taking part in the project.

"It was a tremendous team effort," said the club's press officer Lee Weldon. "We've previously taken part in Cricket Force but this year was by far our best effort because it was co-ordinated by first team captain Chris Palmer, who deserves a lot of credit for this.

"The project needed someone to manage it and Chris certainly did that. He had all the adults as designated team leaders with children working under them and it worked perfectly.

"The winter months cause us a lot of work and we had to trim bushes back, paint the scoreboard, clean the changing rooms out, just generally give the whole place a spruce up.

"It's worked and everyone involved certainly played their part so the grounds are ready for the start of the new season."

Aycliffe Cricket Club currently have a first and a second team as well as U-18s, U-15s, U-13s and U11s.

Anyone who interested in getting involved in the 2010 season can contact the club's press officer Lee Weldon on 07759 754959.