Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club

Summer is coming! Join us for a Club Update Zoom Meeting on Friday 12^th March at 8pm to hear exciting news about the upcoming season. All you have to do on the evening is click on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85630946294 to see and hear from Joe, Scott and the new Head of Junior Cricket, Jon Gritten, amongst others.

As well as the AGM, the programme will include:

• Plans for Adult and Junior Cricket this summer, including registration.
• The Bar Refurbishment.
• Project Heron Stage 2, Pavilion Redevelopment.

In the meantime please read the AGM Report by clicking on WCC AGM Report 2021.pdf .

I look forward to seeing you on the 12^th March

Martin Pluck, Chairman

We have submitted a planning application to extend the pavilion as well as refurbish the changing rooms and toilets.
For more details click on https://planningdocs.redbridge.gov.uk/AniteIM.WebSearch/Results.aspx

There is light at the end of the tunnel! Renewal of membership for existing members for the new season is now open. We are planning to open the nets on 29^th March then start playing cricket by the middle of April, weather permitting. We of course will follow all relevant government and ECB guidelines which we believe, at this point, will allow us a busy summer of cricket.

We will be using the same net booking system as last season and only members, who have registered and paid their subscriptions, will be able to book net sessions using the link  https://wansteadccnets.skedda.com.

If you were a member last season and are an Adult, you can renew your membership by going to  https://membermojo.co.uk/wccar . If you were U18 on 1^st September 2020 go to https://membermojo.co.uk/wccjm . Subscriptions are the same as last year.

The club fully appreciates that some members are under severe financial pressure. Paying the club subscription may be a strain on limited resources. If that is your situation, we obviously don’t expect you to pay your subscription. However if you still want to register or are a parent who wishes to register your child then please either contact Jon Gritten, Head of Junior Cricket, or me, as the Management Committee have given us the authority to discuss this sensitive issue with individual members.

On the evening on Friday, 12^th March we will be holding a Club Update Zoom Meeting (details to follow). Please log in to hear exciting news about the upcoming season.

See you on the 12^th March.

Stay safe.

Martin

Let me introduce to you the Wanstead CC “Virtual Race to Ahmedabad”. The challenge is simple, as a club collective, we need to walk, run or cycle a combined total of 4,200 miles from the 1st February and arrive in Ahmedabad by the 4th March just in time to see the first ball bowled between England and India in the final test match. Ah, maybe not so simple.... that’s why we need the whole club to participate including members and friends of the club old and new, young and ancient (sorry Len and Trevor) 1st XI to Slow Coaches, to ensure that we complete this epic challenge!

We will be raising money for Project Heron, the NHS and the Corner House Project and making sure we are in tip top shape for the (hopefully!) start of the cricket season. Details of how to support us and how to join the challenge below:

How to Support Us

1. To donate to the cause visit  https://www.gofundme.com/f/race-to-ahmedabad Please share far and wide!
2. If you are joining the challenge and want your family and friends to sponsor you, then sign up to the fundraising team here  https://www.gofundme.com/f/race-to-ahmedabad?teamInvite=McuWA6D3oyxajNimPBNI0BXFfIkSWrqkYhP0yU2oaLXntsxWwd8jXxTv9OA1tllJ

How to Join Us – Read Carefully

To join the challenge – sign up on the Strava app to the Wanstead CC Page here  https://www.strava.com/clubs/841584/leaderboard

The App is free and you can contribute as many miles as you are able to do to the challenge – everyone is welcome! Just make sure that each time you go for your exercise to log the activity as a RUN regardless of whether you actually walk/run/cycle – this is to ensure the distance is synced with our page***. We want as many members and friends of the club to join the challenge as possible but would hope that they all try and contribute to the fundraising efforts – basically no ringers please – this is meant to be a challenge! Ignore the mileage already on the page - this will reset on 1st February so no point trying to sneak a few miles in early - save them all for February!

That’s everything you need to do for now – simply join the Wanstead CC Strava page and get nice and prepared to start this epic challenge in a weeks time!

We would like plenty of social media recognition so please add us on twitter @Wansteadcc, Instagram @wansteadcricketclub and Facebook @wansteadcc and send your pictures in if you are happy for them to be shared – our hashtag is going to be #heronsflytoahmedabad

Any questions then please reach out to Joe Ellis-Grewal.

All the best Herons – get those hamstrings loose!

***Disclaimer: Wanstead CC encourages members to participate in exercise in line with the government guidelines. No calls from Boris please.

I hope you and your family are keeping well.

Did you see the climax of the Australia - India 5th test? Wow! What a test and what an innings from Pant.  It got me thinking of the summer and to give you something to look forward to, I can tell you that we have already entered :

• the U15's girls, Taverner's T20 competition, (starts Sunday 2nd May)
• the U16 boys,   Trevor Bailey Matchplay,  first match 20th June with a final at The County Ground
• the U12 boys,   Community Brian Taylor Trophy, first match 23rd May
• the U13 boys, Vitality National T20s (put Sunday 4th July in your diary for the first round at Overton Drive and if you are optimistic, Tuesday 10th August for the final!)

Other age groups and competitions will be entered into their respective competitions soon.  This of course however all depends on lockdown ending, so please do continue to follow all the rules.  But let's be optimistic and look forward for some great cricket this year.

In the meantime, your cricket managers have selected some of their favourite cricket moments.  If you go to  this Google form, you can watch them (there's some good ones) and then vote for your favourite and also nominate your own.  If you prefer not to click on a link, here's the URL   https://forms.gle/ 7arPQ4uzkcXad5SL6

You have a week to vote but why not do it now? I'll reveal the winner next weekend and then send out your selections to choose from.  

Thanks for taking part.

Jon Gritten

Head of Junior Cricket

What a horrible end to the year! We were working on plans for our 2020/1 winter programme when rises in Covid-19 infections have led to further restrictions. At the time of writing the prospects for winter cricket/training are not encouraging. However we can hopefully look forward to some form of cricket next summer. As last summer showed, as a club we can all pull together. Let’s stay as optimistic as we can in these very hard times.

Fortunately the club is in a sufficiently strong position, not only to weather the worst case scenario of the club operating under severe restrictions throughout the winter, but also to continue to invest in our facilities to secure our long term future. So, with the likelihood of the club being shut or only being open in a limited way over the winter, we have decided to do a major refurbishment of the bar. This should be completed by the end of January. We are also pushing ahead with Stage 2 of Project Heron, the redevelopment of the changing rooms and an extension to the pavilion. We have commissioned architectural drawings and an Arboricultural Impact Assessment Report and in the New Year, we will applying for Planning Permission. If this is granted, we can start applying for grants, which we will need to help towards the cost of the project. The plan is also to organise a Zoom Meeting in the New Year with members to discuss the plans.

We are fortunate to have two lovely grounds, which increasingly we are sharing with our local community. Increased community awareness is a potential beneficial legacy from these difficult times.

The community spirit at the club has been tremendous all year and I would like to thank members for all the support you have given each other. Sadly most families have been or know someone who has been affected by Covid-19. Our thoughts are with them.

Have as good a Christmas and New Year as you possibly can and let us all hope for a better 2021.

Regards, Martin Pluck, Chairman

The club and the Corner House Project (“CHP”) are delighted to announce a partnership, in which the club will support the CHP’s fundraising activities. The club was recently pleased to contribute to the charity £1,400, which was half the money raised at the successful online race night, the other half going to club funds. In addition, the club’s premises were recently used by the CHP for a very successful drop-off of donations of food, gifts and clothes for a variety of causes.

Based in the centre of Wanstead, the objective of the CHP is to help those that are vulnerable, homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless with the provision of food, warm clothes, and other essentials, as well as support and guidance.

Appointment of Club Communications Officer 

I am delighted to announce that Josee Gritten has been appointed Communications Officer, reporting to the Club’s Management Committee. Josee will develop a club communications strategy in the next few months. When this is completed, we will report in more detail the initiatives the club will be taking in terms of communicating with members and the wider community. She will also become a conduit for members and club officials to make key announcements via the club’s various social media platforms.

Please join me in welcoming Josee. I am sure she will appreciate any ideas for improvements. She can be contacted on joseemgritten@gmail.com. If you have any queries about this role then please contact Matloob Piracha (matloobpiracha@gmail.com).

Martin

Dear Member and Club Follower

At the start of the summer it looked like the club might have to remain shut and that we would not get any cricket, but we did! I want to express my sincere thanks for the support of so many members, it is hugely appreciated.

During the initial lock down period our Covid-19 response was three fold.

• Ensure the sustainability of the club, by reducing costs and applying for all available grants.
• Offer financial assistance to members, who might otherwise be forced to withdraw from cricket.
• Stay engaged with our members.

I believe we did all of this successfully.

Once the plans for a return of cricket were initiated, we were able to respond quickly. We played a lot of adult and junior cricket in a short period of time and had a highly successful season. The  time invested in safe welfare practices was huge, but essential. Thanks must go to the Shepherd Neame Essex League, the County and the local Metropolitan District organisation, whose huge contribution made this possible.

I would also like to thank Lynn and her team for the massive amount of work, which they have done to make the club both safe and welcoming.

Whatever happens over the winter, the club is now in a strong enough position, not only to weather the worst case scenario of the club operating under severe restrictions throughout the winter, but also to plan for the long term future. We now know that even if we have to play a Covid-19 regulated form of cricket again next year, we can do so successfully.

Our resolve is to look after our two lovely grounds and, as a community club, to share them where practical with our local community. We will continue to invest in these  facilities.  

The community spirit at the club has been tremendous this summer. Thanks to all of you the future of the club looks bright even in these very uncertain and difficult times.

Regards, Martin Pluck, Chairman

Following the ECB  Covid-19 guidelines for cricket indoors (click on ECB Indoor Cricket Guidance ) your club has prepared the protocols below. Compliance is a requirement of participation. This protocol does not cover private coaching, which members/juniors partake at your own risk and where members and coaches agree separate contractual arrangements.

• If you or your child feel unwell DO NOT ATTEND any indoor training sessions
• When training or socialising, please maintain social distance of 2 metres from anyone NOT in your household or support bubble.
• The coaches will keep a record of all attendees and their contact details for 21 days.
• Parents and other guests will not be allowed in the venue. Please provide the coach with emergency contact number.
• If possible do not share equipment, including cricket balls.
• Do not add sweat or saliva to the ball at any time.

It MUST be recognised that the guidelines could change in response to the current COVID -19 Alert Level or other government advice. The club’s Welfare Officer (Trevor Hebden) will keep club members and coaches informed.

Parents/Members  are reminded that your club is taking these measures to protect you and your children, but you must decide for yourselves whether to participate, there is absolutely no pressure to do so.

Queries, please do not hesitate to  contact your coach, Trevor Hebden or Jon Gritten

Stuart Philips has decided to retire from the role of Head of Junior Cricket. On behalf of the Management Committee, I would like to thank Stuart for the excellent job he is done over the past 5 years. The Junior section has certainly thrived under his leadership.

The Management Committee is delighted to announce that Jon Gritten has agreed to take on the role. Jon has been a member of the club and been involved with the Junior section for a number of years. I am sure he will do a fantastic job not only in ensuring the junior section continues to thrive but also that the club continues to provide opportunities for young people from whatever background to participate in cricket activities.

Please provide Jon with all the support you can.

Martin Pluck, Chairman

What a great, albeit short season.

The club had a very successful cricket season with the 1^st XI, 2^nd XI and 5^th XI winning their Leagues and the 3^rd XI finishing runners-up by one point! Both the 1^st XI and 2^nd XI went through the League season undefeated.

The U19s won the Essex U19 T20 Competition and the U12s the Brian Taylor Trophy with a last ball victory!

Well done everyone - players, captains, managers, coaches, supporters!



Successful U19 Squad

From 18 September, the club is legally required to have a system to collect Track & Trace data, and to ask members to provide these details when they visit the club. We are required to retain these details for 21 days, and to ensure that the gatherings’ limit of 6 is not exceeded.

We will be using the evePASS system, so please could members download the evePass App ( evePASS ) on your ‘phones and register.  Then on arrival at the club all you have to do is scan the QR code by the main doors.

Otherwise, one of your party will have to inform the bar staff of your name, contact phone number and the number of people in the group.

Thank you for your cooperation.

On Tuesday, 11^th August, the Slow Coaches, led by Joe Palmer Snr played a game against a team of NHS doctors and administrators – the match ending in a tie! During the game Martin presented a cheque for £2,610 to Dr Philip Bennett-Richards. This was the money raised for NHS Charities when we held the Virtual Race Night during lockdown. Thanks again to members for their generosity.

Fantastic news, the club has received ECB Clubmark accreditation for another 3 years.

ECB Clubmark is an accreditation scheme for cricket clubs and shows that a club is sustainable, well run and provides the right environment for its members. Clubmark accreditation also means your club is recognised as a safe, rewarding and fulfilling place for participants of all ages, as well as assuring parents and carers that they are choosing the right option for their young people.

To obtain accreditation, clubs are asked to provide evidence that they meet a series of criteria. This is done by loading evidence onto an online portal and by demonstrating good practice at a site visit conducted by an allocated Club Support Officer. Special thanks must go to Trevor Hebden who put in over 200 hours of work on this!

A committee under the chairmanship of Matloob Piracha and Len Enoch has prepared a report following a comprehensive members’ survey.  I would like to thank them for all their hard work. Click on the link below to read the report.

By most measures your club has achieved a high level of success over many years. Its progress in adult, women and junior cricket and its exciting community initiatives are widely admired; Wanstead is widely regarded as one of the best cricket clubs in the country.

So what areas can be improved, what steps are necessary to meet the changing environment for recreational cricket. Where do we go from here?

I hope you enjoy reading the report. Matloob, Len or I will do our best to answer any queries you have,

Martin Pluck, Chairman 

Wanstead CC 2018-22 Development Plan.pdf

Did you know that whenever you buy anything online - from your weekly shop to your annual holiday - you could be collecting free donations for the club?

So go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/wandscc/ and join for free.

For more details click on Easy Fundraising.pdf