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

photo © Dave Reynolds Editor: Hugh Griffiths email: [email protected] mobile: 07768 552682

2020 NEWCLOSE GROUND SPONSORS - HOSE RHODES DICKSON (HRD) - IW ESTATE AGENTS The Newclose Trustees are delighted to announce that, after discussions with Marcus Waldron (Director, Hose Rhodes Dickson) a new Ground Sponsorship arrangement is in place for the coming season. This follows their support for the Academy’s Southern matches at Newclose in 2019. This is a special year for HRD who are celebrating 30 years in business. Their #Raising30for30 initiative has been established to support the Mountbatten Hospice and HRD are proud winners of the Radio Business Award for the Best Employer 2020.

We are grateful to the Directors of Leslies Motors for their support as ground sponsors from 2017 to 2019.

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK At the time at which we should be celebrating the start of a new season, we all understand that coronavirus had other plans unsympathetic to sport - and more importantly life in general. The and Wales Cricket Board has stated that cricket is suspended for the foreseeable future - and that covers everything from ‘All Stars’ sessions for five-year-olds up to First Class Cricket. As regards the Hampshire v 50-Over match in August, that fixture must be in some doubt. officials, players and journalists are speculating that, if there is any professional cricket in 2020, it might only feature the T20 Blast and Test cricket. We can only wait and see. Meantime, and with the grass growing at Newclose, Andy Butler and his colleagues (working on their own or 2 metres apart) are keeping the square under control. Given our four-year staging agreement with Hampshire, it is essential that the playing area is kept in perfect condition. The pavilion is closed for all events and there are no plans to re-erect the hospitality marquee in the foreseeable future. Without any cricket or private events taking place, we have the opportunity to catch up on matters of administration and communication. There is a specific need for us to do our best to control our finances by establishing what are the essential services, prioritising our spending accordingly, and at the same time capitalising on whatever income opportunities still exist. We are particularly grateful to HRD and to members of Newclose Cricket Club who have been, or will be, prepared to renew or upgrade their membership. We fully appreciate that would be mainly as an act of altruism at a time when tangible benefits of membership may not be readily apparent. Whilst all our readers face their own particular challenges at the moment, we trust you’ll be reassured that, when the country returns to playing sport, Newclose will be in good shape and ready for action. We appreciate your support in the past and hope that it will continue throughout 2020 and beyond. Hugh Griffiths Trustee, Newclose County Cricket Ground Ltd. Registered Charity no: 11177675

1 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On Wednesday 4th March, with 15 members in attendance, the Chairman Murray Jones introduced the meeting and those present observed a minute’s silence in memory of the late Alan Stovell (Hon Treasurer) who had passed away shortly after the end of the 2019 season.

Hugh Griffiths (Communications Officer) presented the Committee Report highlighting the Hampshire v Nottinghamshire match last May. The Newclose staff, the Club’s volunteers and Andy Butler’s ground team worked effectively together to ensure the success of Hampshire 1st XI’s return to the Island after a gap of 57 years.

The year-end accounts were presented by Simon Rhodes, who confirmed that the figures had been suitable examined - and these were approved. There was a balance of £1,543 in the Club’s current account with NatWest and £175 was held in cash.

The proposed amendments to the Club Constitution were approved and members were reminded that the Club has an agreed role to play in supporting the Newclose Charity whose Trustees are responsible for the ground’s management.

Murray Jones was re-elected as Chairman and Club Captain - and David Tolfrey was elected as the Club’s first President. Others elected were: Hugh Griffiths (Vice-Chairman & Communications Officer), Simon Rhodes (Secretary), Jon (Membership Secretary), David Pratt (Fixture Secretary) and, as ex-officio members of the Committee, Malcolm Watson and Mark Thomas. The position of Hon Treasurer remained vacant.

MEMBERSHIP

Newclose Cricket Club is very pleased to welcome as its new Membership Secretary, Jon Matthews, who is a native of the Isle of Wight. Jon spent his working career and cricket playing days in London - and in and around Beaconsfield, thereafter (well, in the 1980s he had a two year sojourn living and working in Sydney, Australia). After six seasons at South Hampstead CC (in the 1960s), he was a regular in the Gerrards Cross 1st XI that won the Thames Valley League in 1974. He is a qualified ACO official and, after moving back to the Island in 2006, umpired the Northwood v Ventnor Senior Cup Final at Newclose in 2011. I asked Jon for a contribution - so here is what he had to say:

Hello to everyone! Whilst “Stay at Home” reverberates in our ears it’s a perfect time to get the membership database shipshape and dandy - and that’s what I’ve been doing since taking up the job in February (I think Hugh is rather pleased to have this particular weight taken off his shoulders!). All Life members should by now have received an email or a letter from me trying to get us compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). GDPR came into effect in 2018 - long after most of you ‘signed up’; it’s a real pain but we can’t ignore it. I’m holding back asking all the ‘annual’ members for their subscriptions (though don’t let me stop you volunteering them!) as, with the current uncertainty surrounding our lives, I cannot fully detail the benefits that the various categories of membership buys. But the Committee have agreed that, as well as recruiting more Life members, we’ll have Social members (£10), Playing members (£10) and ‘County’ members (£25) paying on an annual basis; County membership includes free ground entrance to the Royal London Cup match on 9th August. And all these membership categories will also include a spouse or a partner as an honorary Social member. Jon Matthews mobile: 07802 401365 Membership Secretary email: [email protected]

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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.

NEWCLOSE TRUSTEES

The Newclose Trustees include three members of the late Brian Gardener’s family. They are his son Martin Gardener along with Martin’s son Robin Gardener and Julie Sinton (Brian’s daughter). As per the terms of the governing document there are two Trustees who represent the Isle of Wight cricketing community: Hugh Griffiths and David Tolfrey.

Nikki Price is employed as bookkeeper and attends the monthly Trustees’ Meetings. She also has the responsibility of managing the bar – of which she is the Licensee/Designated Premises Supervisor - and the broader hospitality and catering business which operates as a separate company, NCCG Trading Ltd.

Nikki reports to the Trustees and is responsible for the management of the pavilion and the estate. She is a most valuable member of the Newclose team and her commitment has been outstanding given the recent pandemic and the many new and challenging problems which every business is now experiencing.

MANAGEMENT OF NEWCLOSE COUNTY CRICKET GROUND IN THE CURRENT EMERGENCY

In order to comply with UK Government requirements to avoid group gatherings and public events, all cricket and social functions have been cancelled for the next three months.

Office and ground staff and essential workers or contractors will be in attendance in minimum numbers to ensure security and to collect post, deal with phone calls, voicemail messages and other administrative requirements.

Meanwhile pictured is Andy Butler (on the right), Newclose’s highly respected contracted groundsman receiving the Southern Premier League ‘Groundsman of the Year’ award in 2011; he continues his fine work at Newclose. In particular it is vital that ‘the square’ is maintained week in, week out during the summer months to keep it in top condition for professional cricket; any neglect could result in the loss of Hampshire 1st XI cricket. Despite our catering business being temporarily out of action and not being able to serve food NEWCLOSE NEEDS A BUTLER!

MARCH MEETING OF NEWCLOSE TRUSTEES

The monthly Trustees’ meeting took place on 3rd March - before the coronavirus lockdown. The main item discussed was the need to enhance the Newclose website. Jon Matthews attended the meeting and agreed to assist Robin Gardener (whose technical skills have enabled the website to become established) especially with a view to communicating more effectively with members and, at the same time, receive online applications and subscriptions from members.

3 HUGH’S NEWS - it’s a small world (of cricket)

One would hardly describe things that happened four months ago as ‘news’, however late last year I was lucky enough to be able to watch cricket whilst visiting family in Australia and New Zealand. A real bonus now we know that at least the first two months of the English cricket season have been written off.

My wife Felicity and I were visiting her family in South Australia, where I watched Shield cricket at the Adelaide Oval - along with a couple of hundred spectators in a 40,000 seater stadium. South Australia v Tasmania was strictly for the connoisseur. Forget two metres social distancing; it was 22 yards between umpire and batsman - and any two spectators! If coronavirus dictates County cricket being played behind closed doors, I can confidently claim ‘I know how the players will feel!’

Those who decry our County Championship for not attracting the crowds don’t appreciate how much worse things are in Australia. Even if they do have a point, the photo on the front page of this newsletter is a reminder that ‘outgrounds’ are a potential lifeline to First Class Cricket in England. It’s worth noting too, that small crowds at Sheffield Shield matches don’t prevent the Australian Test team being so dominant when they have a home Ashes series. Away from the Adelaide Oval, the Karen Rolton Oval on the outskirts of the city is a beautiful new outground, not unlike Newclose. It was the perfect venue for me and thousands of others to watch a Women’s Big Bash match and a Men’s 50-Over match.

Via Sydney and some weekend NSW Grade Cricket we moved on to see New Zealand v England in the Second Test Match at Hamilton - another Newclose style of ground with grass banks, marquees and atmosphere. How wonderful to see the New Zealand cricket authorities allowing spectators onto the outfield during the intervals. Mingling with SKY TV and local radio commentary teams I happened to cross the path of David Lloyd (aka Bumble). We chatted about his days at Lancashire and I was not slow to point out that Lancashire would be playing against Hampshire at Newclose, Isle of Wight in August. Bumble’s eyes lit up. “You’re from the Isle of Wight? D’ya know Charlie Chaplin from the Barmies? E’ll be one of your neighbours!” (say it to yourself with a Bumble Lancashire accent to get the feel of the conversation!) I did know that the ‘Barmy Army’ were based at the City End so I made it my business to find Charlie the next morning, day 5. Yes, he was from the Island and as well as following the England Test team around the globe he does stewarding work for MCC during major matches at Lord’s. His fundraising for the Mountbatten Hospice is noteworthy and means he’s often been featured in the Isle of Wight County Press. When cricket returns to Newclose we’ll invite him to join us for our best VIP treatment. Stage, Silent Screen, and the Isle of Wight County Press – the ultimate accolade!

AND FINALLY….… being over 70 at this time has its many disadvantages. However, being able to reflect on a lifetime of pleasure and friendships provided by cricket is a major consolation, worth more than the fortune earned by the real Charlie Chaplin. Sitting at my laptop I eagerly look forward to getting

back on the outfield mower at Newclose. I imagine Andy Butler rolling the square and three times every week mowing that same vital part of the ground. Lucky man, he’s doing that now. Hold the thought: NEWCLOSE NEEDS A BUTLER! And he needs our support so if you know someone available to volunteer to mow the outfield in April, please call me. With ground maintenance costs in mind, if you can make a donation or maybe introduce a new member for just £10, that will also help.

Kind regards, CRICKET WILL RETURN TO NEWCLOSE. UNTIL THEN, STAY SAFE… Hugh (tel: 01983 407772) SUPPORT THE NHS… LOVE CRICKET…KEEP YOUR GLASS HALF FULL! ☺

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