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.
Grandson of the famous John ‘Nogger’ Hawkins. He is also son of Frocester legend Dave ‘Metal’ Whincup. Sharing the same initials as his old man means that the play cricket stats are sometimes slightly inaccurate. But we like to think we have just built a super cricketer! Daniel has cemented his spot in the first XI over the last few seasons. A couple of knee injuries has meant that he hasn’t played as much as he would have wanted. Bit of a jack of trades Dan is a solid top order batsman and a miserly seam bowler. He is also more than handy with the gloves. But I think the keeping days may be on hold until the knee troubles disappear.
Dan’s top score was an impressive 138* against Swindon back in 2015. The year before that returned an impressive 4/1 against Bath.
Another member of the squad who played youth representative cricket and excelled across multiple sports. We will blame the rugby for the dodgy knee!
This episode is all about young all rounder Will Naish.
Will made his senior debut for the club in 2016 at the age of 12 and no one could believe what was to follow. The next season Will scored 103 against Bourton Vale in a second XI fixture. How do you top that? In 2019 scored his maiden first team hundred against Dumbleton. Impressively Naishy got 120 off 113 balls included 12 fours and 5 sixes. Not sure you were doing at the age of 15 but our guess is it’s not scoring first team WEPL hundreds!
Along with youth representative honours he has captained the south and west side at the prestigious ESCA Under 15s Bunbury Cricket Festival. To put it into context a couple of players who played in this festival are Joe Root and Alastair Cook.
Please see the below update and advice on use of club facilities from the ECB.
Basically, you can book use of nets with me, Eric Woodmason. You will have to comply with all the regulations below. The clubhouse may not be available.
You can contact me on secretary@frocestercc.com or 0755 445 2227.
Following this week’s government announcements, below is the most up to date guidance regarding the recreational game, in particular the use of outdoor facilities.
We ask that you continue to Stay Alert and abide by the social distancing recommendations that are still in place.
Recreational Game Update
The below provides an Executive Summary of our latest guidance on the use of outdoor facilities. The full guidance can be found here.
Executive Summary
The purpose of these guidelines is to offer practical guidance to players and clubs on the steps they should take to remain safe whilst undertaking exercise in an outdoor cricket club environment.
These guidelines currently apply to England only. Lockdown restrictions remain in place in Wales with a review due to take place on 28 May 2020.
These guidelines have been produced in line with the UK Government guidance on public spaces, outdoor activity and exercise published on 11 May 2020, which can be read here. Supporting guidance published on 13 May 2020 can be found here.
In ‘Our Plan to Rebuild’, the UK Government stated that team sports should not be played outside of a household.
ECB maintains the position that all recreational cricket remains suspended until further notice, with the sole exception of the use of outdoor cricket facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of undertaking exercise as set out in our detailed guidance document.
Our primary and ongoing goal is to protect the health of everyone in and around the game.
The adjusted lockdown restrictions provide an opportunity for the use of outdoor cricket facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of undertaking exercise.
In summary:
– You can exercise outdoors on your own, with members of your household or with one other person from outside your household while keeping two metres apart at all times. You must only exercise in groups of no more than two people, unless you are exercising exclusively with members of your household. – Social distancing of at least two metres must be maintained at all times (unless all participants are members of the same household). – Only one-to-one coaching is permitted per session. – Nets should be used on an ‘every other’ basis, leaving one net free between nets. – Clubhouses can be reopened in a limited way for operational reasons (e.g. for access to first aid equipment) or for toilet access (see full guidance) but all communal areas including bar, changing rooms etc are to remain closed for general use. – Toilet facilities can be opened if the venue wishes, but particular care should be taken by those using them and those cleaning them. Where they are open, venues must ensure soap and water is provided. – No indoor activity at all. – We recommend using your own equipment if possible. If equipment is being shared, please follow UK Government’s guidance on the sharing of equipment. – No saliva or sweat should come into contact with the ball at any time. – Wash hands at home before and after using the outdoor facilities. Bring your own hand sanitiser where possible.
ECB is clear that outdoor facilities should only reopen if those responsible for them are ready to do so and they can do so safely, following public health guidance: no club should reopen their outdoor facilities if they feel unable to meet the requirements.
For clubs, you will need to have the following in place:
– Properly maintained facilities.A booking system for outdoor space or other means to manage access and demand. – The capability to advise individuals when booking to check for symptoms of COVID-19 and in turn to advise individuals when booking that – in line with current Government guidance – if they are symptomatic, living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection or if they are classified as extremely vulnerable on health grounds, they should remain at home and follow Government guidance. – A sanitation procedure between use/booking. – A representative of the club on site during the hours that the outdoor facilities are open for use. – Closed signs should be displayed when facilities are not open (including where a club does not wish to or is not ready to reopen) to deter use by general public particularly where there is open access. – Updated signage and access points.
For individuals, you will need to:
– Seek confirmation from the club that it has reopened and make a booking. – Check for symptoms of COVID-19. In line with current Government guidance, if you are symptomatic, living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection or if you are classified as extremely vulnerable on health grounds, you should remain at home and follow Government guidance. – Avoid public transport if at all possible.
ECB has provided detailed guidance on the preparation and administration of outdoor facilities for clubs, and guidelines for participation for individuals. The situation is evolving constantly, and we will continue to update our guidance as more information becomes available.
Further advice is available at the GOV.UK and Sport England websites. Please regularly check these sites and the updated ECB guidance as this policy position is likely to change over time and could also become more regionalised and localised as time progresses.
Be it a wedding, christening, birthday party, anniversary or just a meeting, we are pleased to announce that the pavilion can now be booked for virtually any event at some very competitive rates.
Click here to be directed to the club calendar, which will show the availability on any given day. It also shows all cricket matches being played at Pounds Close throughout the summer cricket season. Please note its use is not limited to just the summer and can be used throughout the year.
To hire this fantastic facility you will need to contact Jane Davis or Maggi Mukasa:
Jane can be contacted on tel: 01453 453378 – email: jane3274@sky.com
Maggi can be contacted on tel: 01453 822318 – mob: 07909 556162 – email: maggi_mukasa@yahoo.co.uk
The outside patio area. As you enter the site there is ample free parking on the newly laid tarmac or in the even of an overflow on the grass area next to the car park.
(Please note updated pictures to appear shortly).
The carpeted lounge area. Additional seating including long bench seats for the walls are awaiting delivery, these pictures will be updated upon arrival.
ou will note that the lounge and bar areas can be separated by a concertina folding door.
The bar area has bamboo wooden flooring and has a variety of seating options. To the left as you enter are the gents and ladies washrooms plus a disabled washroom fitted with a baby changing unit.
The bar, if required, is always well stocked with premium lagers including Heineken, Fosters and Amstel on tap. Ciders include Thatchers Gold and Thatchers Haze, again on tap, wine, a choice of real ales and Guinness, a large selection of spirits plus a good selection of soft drinks and bar snacks. The bar has the additional benefit of an ice making machine and a glass washer.
The kitchen is well fitted with ample room to work. There is a double unit deep fat fryer, a large cooking range and oven both with a substantial filter extractor hood. A large upright fridge and freezer plus a dishwasher and even a traditional tea urn capable of producing lots of hot water for drinks. There is ample worktop space for food preparation around the walls. There is also a heavy duty heated trolley to keep food warm.
