N E W C L O S E N E W S May 2020

photo © Dave Reynolds A CONTRAST TO MAY 2019 Editor: The England & Wales Board (ECB) has announced that the 2020 professional Hugh Griffiths cricket season will not start until 1st July at the earliest and that ‘The Hundred’ competition email: editor@ has been postponed until 2021. Beyond that, there seems to be little likelihood of any newclose.org amateur or junior cricket taking place much before July. mobile: Unlike most other amateur cricket grounds, we can enjoy the luxury of knowing what is 07768 552682 possible in the future by reflecting on where we were a year ago. Dave Reynolds’ photo above is worthy of close inspection, whilst on page 4 we feature an article on County CONTENTS Cricket in May 2019 and some of Graham Cooper’s interesting and amusing memories. Page 1 Graham was a key contributor to the match being such a resounding success. - ECB News TWO IMPORTANT SPONSORS - HRD AND RWE - Sponsors As well as recognising our new Ground Sponsors, Hose Rhodes Dickson, we should - A Good Read highlight that RWE has been with us since the ground opened and we are hoping that this Page 2 will continue, along with the personal and much valued support of the RWE East Cowes NEWCLOSE CC Power Station manager, Murray Jones. - Fixtures A GOOD READ FOR SELF-ISOLATING CRICKETERS - Malcolm Watson (Man of Letters) - Being unable to watch cricket other than via SKY SPORTS repeats, many of us have the Membership unexpected opportunity to read more books than in the past. Below you’ll see details of a Page 3 biography of a man who uniquely distinguished himself both as a cricketer and later in life - The Charity as a Bishop. It’s written by an Isle of Wight author and those of us who remember the 1950s will recall the Rev. David Sheppard’s success as a Sussex and England - Finance batsman. - Community - Support Tania AND FINALLY Page 4 On behalf of all at Newclose may I thank our members and supporters for loyally staying MAY 2019 with us at this difficult time. In the hope of better days ahead and the return of cricket we - Hugh’s Views trust you’ll stay safe and well along with your loved ones. - Cooper’s Hugh Griffiths Comments

In 2017 St Helens writer Professor Andrew Bradstock contacted Newclose in search of copies of Wisden from the early 1950s to use as research for his biography of David Sheppard, as authorised by David’s daughter. Batting For The Poor was launched last November at the and the following month received a detailed and

positive review in The Cricketer. We became good friends after I was able to lend

Andrew some Wisdens from Brian Gardener’s collection kept in the Trustees Room at

Newclose. Having spent all four days watching the Hampshire versus Nottinghamshire match last May Andrew has become a true friend of Newclose as well. If any reader My communication to clubs onwould the fixturelike to listpurchase and to aour signed partners copy is of that the ourhighly ground recommended will be ready Batting and fit For for The cricket Poor the moment that the advice regardsat the specia playingl price cricket of changes£15 (rrp for£20) the they positive. should contact Andrew on 01983 874273 or email: [email protected]. Hugh Griffiths

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NEWCLOSE CRICKET CLUB AND ISLE OF WIGHT CRICKET BOARD FIXTURES My communication to clubs on the fixture list and to our partners is that our ground will be ready and fit for cricket the moment that the advice regards playing cricket changes for the positive. The Isle of Wight Cricket Board games that have been cancelled include all the Over 50s fixtures - but other competitions are being constantly rescheduled as delays continue. New plans are being worked out for contingency start dates. For example, the disabled cricket competition has not been cancelled but at the time of writing postponed. Once play is allowed, we must, as part of the Isle of Wight cricketing community be in a position to support these fixtures. Decisions regards Hampshire and IW leagues and evening competitions have yet to be taken but it looks like league fixtures will be curtailed and this will mean that teams on the Island will have to cancel fixtures. One idea being pursued, to replace those lost games, is that some kind of zonal cricket could be organised, with different clubs coming together volunteering players to make up teams for our own version of The Hundred competition which is now another casualty in these times. Once again, being the premier ground on the Island, Newclose should present itself as the place for any finals that may take place. Finally, to try to end with some positive news I would like to link to this article by the BBC's Laura Scott: Sport should start again ‘from the bottom up not the top down when the coronavirus lockdown lifts, according to a public health adviser to the World Health Organization (this can be viewed at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/52465031). Dr Brian McCloskey, who was public health director for London 2012, said community sport could be the first type of sport to return and considers it “much easier” to see how a local sports club or ground could reopen safely, perhaps in late spring or early summer. Let us keep safe and be ready for the whatever the season throws at us. I know that my new bat, shoes and keeping gloves are raring to go. David Pratt Fixture Secretary and Isle of Wight Cricket Board Director Email: [email protected] (mobile) 07984 539081

COMMITTEE MEMBER – Malcolm Watson (Soldier, Cricketer, Man of Letters) Malcolm joined the Newclose Cricket Club Committee late in 2019 and, at his home in Ryde, is working on his 4th ‘book of letters’ to editors of newspapers, cricket magazines, The Oldie, Private Eye etc. Here’s an example from the Cricketer in November 2012 headed: “No spleen to vent”; it was the edition’s ‘Star Letter’: “Your subtitle to the Letters pages is “Spleens, vented” yet I don’t have one. As a matter of fact nor does . In 1973 Geoffrey and I put on 150 (99 and 44 ) for the first wicket in a match at Pateley Bridge during the Nidderdale Show (the annual Yorkshire Dales agricultural event). I wonder if there is a spleenless partnership that exceeds our own?”. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S UPDATE I’m delighted to report that contact has now been made with all 63 Life members (some of whom we had not heard from in recent years). Many of these can claim to have been supporters of Newclose for over ten or more years. Thank you to these stalwarts – and please spread the word to other cricket lovers you may know. An important milestone was achieved during April with the availability of an enhanced facility to join (or renew) and pay your subscriptions online. Why not visit www.newclose.org and select the M E M B E R S H I P tab that appears at the top of the page – and, if you haven’t done so already - and feel so inclined, renew (or join) for the current year; a Social membership is only £10 - so I hope there’ll be some takers amongst you. Now let’s just pray for some cricket! If you would like to consider helping with the outgoings that we still Jon Matthews have to cover, even when there’s no cricket, then you can do this Membership Secretary online; a trip to: Email: [email protected] www.localgiving.org/donation/newclose-cricket is the way to go. (m) 07802 401365

2 Newclose County Cricket Ground (Registered Charity number: 1117675) The charitable objectives of Newclose County Cricket Ground Ltd are: The promotion of community participation in healthy recreation for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight and in particular the provision of facilities for playing cricket including facilities for junior cricket teams, ladies' cricket teams and girls' cricket teams and provision for the playing of cricket by disabled persons.

FROM THE NEWCLOSE PAVILION END

Nikki Price has been the book-keeper for the Newclose charity and hospitality business for the past six years. For most of that time she has also been responsible for managing private event hire and the catering required for all bookings of the pavilion and marquee. She is working on a voluntary basis keeping the premises in good order to the full satisfaction of the Newclose Trustees.

Against the background of there being little or no income from cricket or private hire, Nikki is controlling the finances diligently whilst taking advantage of the available HM Government support for businesses, employers and charities. The Trustees are fortunate to have her support as Newclose enters its second decade, which has the signs of being every bit as challenging as its first, albeit for reasons Brian Gardener could never have foreseen when the ground opened in 2009. Thank you Nikki.

NIKKI’S REPORT

In support of those in our community working so hard in the current crisis, we have arranged for a banner to be produced and sited by the main gate - recognising the contributions and sacrifices being made by the NHS, CARE and other Key Workers. Under the Government scheme we have received furlough wages for our part-time hospitality staff. We have also applied for financial support for the Newclose trading company as it is in the hospitality business and a separate company. On a volunteer basis I am mowing the smaller areas of lawn and weeding the problem areas in the flower beds whilst generally looking after the property. On behalf of Newclose I have also donated some items from the freezer and containers to the Yarbridge Inn in Brading who are supplying vulnerable people with meals. Nikki Price General Manager Email: [email protected] Editor’s footnote : Nikki’s daughter Tania has been of great assistance in the past helping in a part-time capacity performing a range of tasks - including spreading news of Newclose events via social media and updating the Newclose website www.newclose.org. Tania has recently set up her own appeal to raise funds for the local Isle of Wight NHS as she describes below - and the Newclose Trustees are supporting her in this thoughtful personal initiative.

For a fundraiser I will be raising money for the Isle of Wight NHS charitable funds by doing a 12 hour hula hoop challenge from 12 noon to 12 midnight on the 30th May. There is more information available on my Just Giving page at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tania-price12 We all know the dedication of NHS staff and my goal is to raise £500 to support them. I'll be very grateful of any donations to help me reach this target. Tania Price Newclose Support Team

3 HUGH’S VIEWS - more from the Editor’s desk COUNTY CRICKET AT NEWCLOSE IN 2019 - “When Cricket Came Home” (or should it be “When Cricket Came Gnome"?) National, local and sporting publications including ‘The Times’ newspaper and ‘the Cricketer’ magazine made much of the work of the volunteers who supported Newclose before, and during, the 2019 Hampshire v Nottinghamshire Specsavers match last year when, after a gap of 57 years, 1st XI County Cricket returned to the Isle of Wight. It’s always dangerous to highlight an individual within a team however, quite rightly, a player taking five or scoring a century can expect to receive special recognition. Graham Cooper (he’s the one on the right in the photo!) deserves such an accolade for what he did to support Newclose as we confronted the challenge of turning an amateur cricket ground into a professional sporting arena. Graham’s six months of volunteer work started in December 2018 and included planning, budgeting, selling, attracting sponsors, managing marquee catering, communicating, mowing, printing signs and attending meetings with Hampshire. Some of what he did may be less vivid in his mind a year later, however when I spoke to him recently, he told me with an element of pride: “People still talk to me about the £5 buffet lunch on day 4.” It’s normal on the last day of a County Championship match for there to be a few Hospitality guests but Graham put his creative brain into action and, with the Isle of Wight College Head Chef, arranged for all the food remaining from days 1 to 3 to be put out for all spectators to enjoy at a value-for-money price. As word spread across the thousand or so spectators the food disappeared and a significant amount of unexpected cash, supplemented by bar takings, hit the till in the marquee. At the end of a six-month project what better way to enjoy the fruits of your labour than receiving unsolicited and positive feedback from customers and acquaintances on the final day, and after that, across the following twelve months. Cheers Graham! Newclose couldn’t have done it without you. Graham continues: Nikki and I laughed about it afterwards but she really put Stuart Broad in his place on the Sunday. Practice had finished and Broady was in the pavilion where Nikki had already laid out Hampshire’s breakfast. He dared to pick up a muesli bar to be told in no uncertain terms that it was for Hampshire’s breakfast. The poor chap jumped out of his skin but, to be fair to him, he did order a sandwich which, despite my protestations, he insisted on paying for. I was close to meltdown on day 1 and, as with all days, I turned up in scruffs with a view to getting changed before hosting hospitality which was a great idea - except I forgot my socks so I wandered around causing great amusement by asking if anyone had any spare socks. Jack Russell offered me a pair but, fortunately, my wife Tina was in Asda and picked up some for me. Being a Governor of the Isle of Wight College enabling them to provide the catering was a personal highlight (and thanks must go to Nikki for trusting them) but what particularly remains in my mind is the Italian exchange students (who had arrived in the UK on the Sunday afternoon). Their first experience of the UK was our cricket match; to this day I think they had no idea what was going on! The security staff being offered breakfast and lunch observed: “in 7 years we haven’t even had a cup of tea at the Ageas”. The daily sausage rolls also went down particularly well. And then there were the bees stopping play – and the Spitfire doing loop-the-loop did stop play in the Hampshire versus Middlesex 2nd XI game, with umpire Jeremy Lloyds more interested in what it was doing than the cricket. For some people the grass is always greener – but it’s not when you have to cut that bloody bank!

“Yet even when this game was done, several spectators stayed at Newclose and pondered on what they had just seen. And not just the cricket, you understand, but the event itself and its many triumphs. Before very long tiredness will hit the volunteers like heat in the desert. But they can put their heads down knowing they have rendered Hampshire a noble service. In the winter cricket people will look back and choose their best week of the year. Some will choose Newclose in May and they will not be far wrong. It has already been one of the songs of summer”. Paul Edwards - Cricinfo

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