After one of the most challenging years to be Chairman of our Cricket Club, I feel the time is right to update you on the season that we are close to completing. During lockdown we had some of the best cricket weather that any early season cricket would have enjoyed. Sod’s law determined that it would change when cricket was allowed to start and of course it did. We did however play some cricket and indeed on every occasion bar one, managed to put out four teams in their respective Covid leagues. Nick Trainor and the Cricket Committee including the Captains, decided that we would use the season to give our younger players the opportunity to gain experience at the appropriate level. There being no promotion or relegation this was a great way to develop our youngsters. I would like to thank our Captains Uzi Quereshi, Sam Birch, Ali Downey, George Davis and Denise Holder for their efforts especially dealing with the difficulties this season. I’m pleased to say that they are all willing to continue next season. The highlight for me was again the run in the Village Knockout with our very young team reaching the Quarter Final. I hope one day the club will return to Lords and unlike this year have lots of supporters allowed in to watch them. I must mention our Club Licensee Chris Whincup and his excellent batting in several of the games. Frocester Ladies are growing from strength to strength and were unbeaten in Softball Cricket and won half of their Hardball League Matches.
The Youth Cricket was obviously affected but I would like to thank Wigs Catto for her innovative leadership together with the youth coaches.
I would now like to thank all our Volunteers, Groundsmen, Scorers, Committee, Officials and Supporters. Without you the club could not function. I am going to single out two for special praise in Ali Bray and Slim Catto. These two have made a massive contribution this season. Ali has enhanced the Social Media enormously to keep Frocester CC in the news with regular updates. He also set up our Just Giving Page and more of that later. Slim has worked tirelessly on setting up scoring and live feed coverage of the matches which now means the club’s matches can be followed from afar. I understand also that Slim and Wigs have gained some very useful net facilities for St Peter’s Field from Malvern College. Well done and thank you everyone.
As I mentioned earlier, Ali set up a Just Giving page for donations thank you so much to those who have donated. We are going to keep the link open as our income stream is obviously curtailed in these difficult times. If anyone who hasn’t donated yet but would like to help the club stay solvent here is the link:
On to a couple of retirements which cannot pass without my comment and extreme praise and thanks for their efforts.
Mark Helmke has worked behind the scenes to not only help raise the funds for the new pavilion but also been my right hand man in setting up the club as a Company Limited by Guarantee preserving Community Amateur Sports Club status and ensuring committee members are not liable to any major financial loss. Mark has decided the time is right to come off the committee and I cannot thank him enough for all he has done.
The next retiree after 28 Years is our esteemed Bar Manager and Club Legend Eric Bird. He has decided that the time is right to pass over the reins and I’m sure you will join me in thanking him in the time honoured way when the time is right. Unfortunately the new Covid rules have made it impossible to hold our planned event of a Cricket match, music and a great social get together. In discussion with President ‘Nogger’ Hawkins and licensee Chris Whincup we have decided to hold over the Presidents XI v Chairman’s XI match due on 26th September until after the Covid pandemic has disappeared and we are able to give Birdy the special day he deserves.
Winter well and above all Stay Safe. Best Wishes Evo
2020 saw us move into the latest century! Thanks to Slim Catto we have started to live stream selected matches. This page has all of the match highlights we captured in the, bizarre, 2020 season.
Grab yourself a cup of tea and enjoy some of the best bits of the summer!
Frocester 1st XI v Potterne 1st XI 18 July 2020 @ Pounds Close Friendly
This year has been a bit different hasn’t it.. Who would have thought that we wouldn’t have our first game of cricket until July. Certain events have put things into perspective somewhat. There have been bush fires in Australia, a global pandemic, the UK withdrawing from the European union but most importantly a subject got main stream coverage and shed a light on a systematic problem that although improving is far from solved. The Black Lives Matter campaign has been powerful in it’s movement throughout the world uncovering racism in all walks of life.
As a club we support Black Lives Matter. We have extremely strong links with the country of Barbados and to go there every other year to meet up with friends and talk the universal language of cricket is an experience second to none. You can learn more about the game over a beer talking about the game than you do playing it certainly rings true!
Some of you may have noticed our 1st XI taking a knee before their first game back on Saturday. Given our relationship with many people in Barbados and other parts of the world, I feel it is important that cricket as a whole and Frocester C.C. in particular, show that they are inclusive and against racism of any kind. I have asked our IT guru Ali Bray to include a link from Michael Holding who I consider to be an outstanding ex cricketer, commentator and human being.
John Evans – Chairman, Frocester CC
The England V West Indies test match has just finished at the Ageas Bowl with the West Indies winning by four wickets. An important win for them in the Test Match standings but was also an opportunity shine more light on this cause. Sky Sports deserve a lot of credit for the features they ran throughout. But the stand out moment came from Michael Holding. An incredibly articulate man who was deadly with the ball in hand. So much so his nickname became whispering death. He was part of the one of the greatest teams in world SPORT not just cricket. That particular West Indian side went 15 years without losing a single test series, incredible. If you haven’t seen it there is an incredible documentary called Fire in Babylon I urge anyone, not just cricket fans, to watch it. Before you do so however please take a moment to watch watch this incredible interview with Sky news.
As you are aware the clubhouse opened successfully last weekend thanks again to Birdy and Pete Davis. This weekend there is cricket again. Hurrah. The 1st X1 play a friendly against Winterbourne following the guidance from the ECB. Spectators are welcome but must respect Social Distancing and also follow the rules if they wish to use the clubhouse. On Sunday there is an Intra club match with Team Trainor Junior playing Team Glew. Please see the Website for details of both.
Youth Training will now start again for all from Under 9s to Under 13s and all girls on Friday 17th July at 6.00 p.m. Under 15s training will begin on Thursday 16th July. Chair of Youth, Wigs Catto will be sending out further information and asking parents to register their children on line. The clubhouse will be open but again we ask people to follow the rules re Social distancing etc. If there is any chance of inclement weather the sessions will be cancelled as social distancing would be impossible in the clubhouse.
As we have now opened and have committed to not ask for subscriptions this year, we are in need of more donations to ensure the club comes out of the other side of this difficult time financially secure. We have lost our main sources of income with The Ball, The Beer Festival and Speed Awareness Courses all being cancelled this year. I am therefore asking again if you use the club in any way, as a player or a user of the bar, please donate using the Just Giving link that follows. Obviously ignore this if you are one of the people who have donated already. A massive thank you for Ali Bray for his work on this and also to Treasurer Mike Fishwick who will be keeping his fingers crossed that people use this facility. The good thing is that the link enables donations to be gift aided.
Well before we had been given the green light to re-open the clubhouse a few hearty individuals (Birdy & Pistol) worked tirelessly to ensure that we would be ready at the first opportunity to open our doors again. It has been no small task and our enormous thanks go to both chaps for their hard work. Thank you also goes to Tony Bray who has provided us with the signage required.
As you could imagine there will be a lot of new processes in place to allow us to openly safely and follow the government guidelines.
Below is a poster that covers the information that our punters need to know before arriving. But in true health & safety fashion there will be plenty of signage available. So don’t worry there will be no spot tests.. or will there?!
For full details of all the processes we will have place take a look at the attached Risk Assessment and Track & trace register we will be using at the bottom of this article.
Hopefully along with the bar opening we will also get a chance to watch some cricket soon. Seems strange that we can have 22 people in the bar area but not outside in an open space exercising! But we are grateful that we get to start moving again and the club is being used.
We look forward to seeing you fit & healthy at Pounds Close soon. Stay safe and please follow all the guidelines, guidance and all that jazz so we can get back to our normal crazy selves soon!
If you hadn’t heard there have been no games played yet this season and unusually it is nothing to do with the weather. Ironically I don’t think we would have missed a single game yet because the weather has been some what favourable. Isn’t it also funny that the 2020 would be such a headache for cricket lovers all over the world! However 2020 did seem to defeat the new Hundred competition scheduled to take place this summer so it can claim that one! I for one will find it very difficult to get on board with the concept as it seems to completely exclude the south west while having multiple clubs in London. It’s not about new fans to the game it’s about money. As a club we won’t have easy access to these games so it will be very difficult to get early buy in, I think. But that is just my opinion and maybe not one shared by the masses. Anyway I digress another topic for another day! Back to the matter at hand cricket in England this summer…
What are our chances of getting out there?
Could we push on to the end of September if a start date comes this summer? It is difficult to say what will happen. One thing is for sure the ECB seem to be leaning on government advice rather than deciding what to do and taking definitive action. In many cases the individual county boards have made their decisions already. There are rumours of leagues in the country starting soon. A game has already taken place in Guernsey. All encouraging signs I’m sure you agree. But I accept it’s a complete unknown and we can just take it day to day.
Thanks to the huge efforts of Peck and Nev both our grounds look stunning and I’m sure would be ready to host a game tomorrow if called upon.
Pounds Close
St Peters Field
ECB Guidance
The ECB have released some helpful documents advising what the first steps are that can be taken returning to cricket. However the latest release, ECB Roadmap, has left a few questions unanswered one being is it likely that cricket as we know it will even take place in 2020.
ECB Roadmap
ECB Statement
There are new rules that have been provided by the ICC on how cricket is being reintroduced in the upcoming England v West Indies test series. They seem to be mostly for the elite games. Although one is relevant.. You try telling the chief ball shiner or middle aged medium paced trundler to not use saliva on the ball! If you would like to take a closer look at them click here. What rule adjustments do you think could work in recreational cricket to get us back playing sooner?
Training
We have already begun socially distanced practices and there has been a great vibe around the players who are really keen to get back out there. I don’t think we will have same selection headaches for the first game of the season compared to previous seasons! But this is Frocester anything could happen. Anyone reading this firstly well done for lasting this long and secondly if you would like to have a net please speak to your skipper or Eric Woodmason. For those looking to play, rejoin, join as a member get in touch and we can talk you through it. Eric is the best person to speak with in the first instance but if he is unavailable you will find a list of contacts on the homepage.
What do we already know?
Cricket in Gloucestershire have already come together and agreed that there will be no promotion or relegation in any of our leagues. The correct decision for sure. I know we don’t have a start date yet but I would like to jump into a hypothetical situation.. The 4th July was due to start the second half of fixtures. Would you like the league to play half of the games knowing there is no consequence at the end of the season? Or would you rather use this as an opportunity to arrange some friendlies against teams we have played in the past? Never played against? and/or the odd team from the same league?
What do our captains think?
I have asked our four senior men’s captains what their thoughts are and if we will get any cricket in this year.
George Davies, Fourth team captain: “Yes we will play but I’m not sure how the leagues will work, my thinking is that we might play the rest of the season from when we start and all the games will be counted as friendlies! At least that’s what I hope, I’m really looking forward to playing again!”
Uzi Qureshi, First team captain: “We are certainly optimistic that we will be able to get some cricket in, its been tough for all the players in the group especially our youngsters who have worked tirelessly hard over the winter in preparation for a big season ahead. In saying this – we have had a number of our players train on Sundays and its been great to see them taking initiative! I believe we will be back playing cricket very soon”
Sam Birch, Second team captain: “Firstly, I hope everyone in the Frocester and cricketing family are staying safe during these strange times. Although, the government has started to ease lockdown restrictions and things have started to go back to “normal”, personally, I am unsure whether we will be playing cricket this year.
What makes cricket a fantastic sport is the closeness of the players within the team, whether that is on or off the pitch. The ECB have advised about no saliva to be applied to the ball, which will be a difficult habit to break for the ball shiners within the team. However, I’m sure our bowlers are welcoming the rest that they’ve had, especially when we would have had flat pitches galore during the recent sunny weather.
Part of the strong team moral at Frocester comes from is sitting on the balcony watching the game, listening to people talk and joke. It is the social aspect of cricket which will be affected with the current changes, as well as playing the actual game itself. I know the local supporters are keen get back down the club, to support the Frocester boys from the patio and bar!
I do think some games of cricket will be played this year at the start of August, but more than likely they will be local “friendlies”. I doubt certain people will be up for travelling over an hour to play a gentle 30 over match. A way to “spice” it up the game, would be to make an agreement with opposition that the team who loses the match each player has to buy their opposite number a drink. Also, I think team numbers will be a struggle, so it might be 1 week you do 1s/2s team and then the week after is 3s/4s.
Let’s hope I get to see all of you at frocester very soon!”
Ali Downey, Third team captain: “We are clearly in unique and unprecedented times and I hope everyone connected with the club is safe and well.
What the last few months has told us, is that it’s important to remember the good times and I hope those good times return on and off the pitch soon. When cricket returns, we already know there will be no promotion and relegation for the 3rd team so we can just get back playing the game, seeing mates and enjoying the game and company in its purest form.
I am a firm believer in being as positive as possible (no, really, I am) and I would love to think we will get some cricket at our two great grounds this year. On the plus, it’s been flawless in terms of selection and it’s nice to be unbeaten in mid June!
It’s been great to see some of the guys at the club on Sunday’s and I hope that continues. I’ve no doubts we will get through this because we have a great set of people on and off the field and I’d like to wish everybody well in the coming weeks.”
Thanks to our four skippers there.. Hopefully they get to lead out the chaps in the not too distant future.
Summary
Safe to say you probably haven’t learnt much from this that you already didn’t know but for what it is worth I think the answer will be yes we will play this summer, all signs seem to be pointing in a positive direction on this front. How this will look is very much anyone’s guess though. There are a lot wiser people out there than me who know doubt will have the answers (if they could let me know that would be great!). Look, we can’t do much until the government recommend something the boards can work with. We should trust that the right decision for the county and all the clubs they represent will be made. On a personal note I would love to see us playing some of the fixtures from the old three counties days. Who could resist a trip to Colwall followed by some outstanding chips in Ledbury on the way home, if you know you know! This could also be an opportunity for the leagues to see what the players want to do. So much is made of long days and guys either losing interest or even being unable to commit due to other things going on in their life. Why not use this time to experiment see if teams want to play in coloured kits (if they can) and/or use a pink ball? Try reducing the overs and have some flexibility with either start times or days? Always confused me why a team can’t play a league fixture on a Sunday rather than Saturday. Would this help those with Saturday working commitments or those having to play school cricket? Most importantly ask.. The odd survey pops up from time to time but can every player say with hand on heart they have filled it in? We all have an opinion on cricket and now is the time to find out what it is. The magical idea on how to keep enthusiasm high and encourage players new and old into the game is out there. If you have don’t be shy or moan you don’t like something. Tell someone in power.. If you don’t know who that is then just give me a shout I will help you find them.
Have your say
Are the ECB doing enough? Will the season finish? Want to play league fixtures or friendlies? Agree with the captains? Anything else you agree/disagree with in the article? Anything else you want to talk about?
We would love your feedback/thoughts/questions. Make sure you comment on our social media channels or on here.
Fingers and toes crossed that we will get back out there soon. But more importantly please stay safe.
A lot is spoken of Pounds Close, our main ground. But it is important the St Peter’s Field doesn’t go unnoticed. Here we will take a dive into the history of what is referred to by the locals as ‘The Stadium’..
An Archaeological Watching Brief was generated in October 2006. We have taken some of the findings in this report to give a little bit more information. This was generated when we were looking to add the extension to the existing pavilion. So let’s get to it!
St Peter’s Ground is located 1.3km to the west of Frocester, immediately north-west of the now largely demolished church of St Peter’s. The site lies at approximately 30m AOD, and is generally flat.
The underlying geology of the area is mapped as Third Terrace Gravels of the River Severn of the Pleistocene and recent era.
Archaeological interest in the site arises from previous archaeological observations within the adjacent church and churchyard that revealed evidence of Roman occupation indicative of a villa. The existing cricket pavilion was subject to archaeological investigation during its construction in 1997 and 1998 when further evidence of Roman walls and ditches were identified 1m below the existing ground surface.
Quantities of Roman pottery, animal bone, ceramic building material, sea shells and iron objects were recovered from demolition spread 1003.
The pottery is consistent with that previously recovered from the current site in 1997-8 and at Frocester Court and would suggest a Late Roman date of late 3rd century to 4th century. The bulk of the assemblage consists of Dorset Black Burnished ware and a local highly micaceous coarseware, Frocester Fabric 55. Forms present include everted rimmed dishes, a ‘fish’ dish and a pedestal based beaker.
Fragments of box flue tile and tegula are present along with two iron masonry nails. Of note is a possible iron rake prong.
Animal bone present consists of a sheep upper molar and cow sized metatarsal fragments.
St Peter’s Priory
This Place of Worship was founded in 1150, but we understand it was closed in 1952.
As the name suggests, “Frocester” was a Roman town, and indeed it has been suggested that St Peter’s church is on, or close to the site of the Roman occupation, now some distance from the present settlement of Frocester. A reference in 1313 to an “old minster” at Frocester further suggests it was a place of some importance, and a tradition recorded in the 15th century states that a college of secular priests once resided here. The earliest reference for a church is c.1150, when it had parochial rights over Nympsfield, and it may also have served Coaley parish too.
St Peter’s Spire
As the name suggests, “Frocester” was a Roman town, and indeed it has been suggested that St Peter’s church is on, or close to the site of the Roman occupation, now some distance from the present settlement of Frocester. A reference in 1313 to an “old minster” at Frocester further suggests it was a place of some importance, and a tradition recorded in the 15th century states that a college of secular priests once resided here. The earliest reference for a church is c.1150, when it had parochial rights over Nympsfield, and it may also have served Coaley parish too.
A century or so later, in 1282, a chapel of ease was founded within Frocester village, dedicated to St Andrew. Between 1677 and 1691 this was rebuilt on a new site, and over the years the chapel co-existed with St Peter until the latter’s demolition in 1952, during which time services have varied between being held exclusively in one or other building – or during some time periods, in both. Traditionally, of course, marriages would have taken place in the “mother” church, though even as early as 1600, the chapel of St Andrew is known to have being used for some marriages. So if you have an ancestor who was baptised, or married at Frocester, the service could have taken place in either building – though fortunately, there has only ever been one set of parish registers.
The most notable attempt to restore St Peter’s Church was in 1849, to a design of Francis Niblett. The part of the church remaining owes its appearance largely to his design.
PAVILION OPENING
The ground opened on Sunday 14th June 1998.
It is home to our senior 3rd & 4th XI’s as well as many ladies, girls & youth teams.
During the hugely successful Frocester Beer Festival it will also home the 1st or 2nd XI fixture scheduled to be played at Pounds Close on that day.
The ground is available to hire and local side Coaley use it throughout the Summer on the odd Friday evening.
Nogger Hawkins spent hours, days, weeks, months, years turning this simple farmers fields into one of the best kept secret grounds in the county. In recent years Nev Gardiner has taken over and put his stamp on the field. To quote Nev ‘Grass is evil’ so you can imagine on a nice sunny day if the coin falls your way you should just sit back and watch your batsmen rack up a big score!
Below are a few images taken at St Peter’s Field over the years.
St Peter’s doesn’t only produce cricket. It also has a football pitch located down the bottom. Once dubbed ‘Nogsholm’ the shape of the posts changed but the enjoyment didn’t. From the overs versus unders game to Cotswold Rangers using it as a base. In more recent times some of the lads from the club created Frocester United.
