If you are reading this then I will assume that you are interested in the formation of the Devon Cricket Groundsman’s Association.

Firstly please get involved and help be a part of setting up YOUR Association.

The Association will be whatever we all make of it.

With budgets being cut, more work on our wickets will need to be carried out by the Cricket Clubs themselves, our Association can embrace the challenge and not just help maintain standards but improve them.

So if you have a well established Grounds Team or area Club who need help in setting one up please sign up with us, we all have something to offer.

Remember we may be rivals on the field of play but every team would like to compete on a good wicket!

Our major aim is to have a network of key Groundsmen who can offer support and advice to Groundsmen across our County no matter how experienced they are.

Clubs, Coaches and Umpires in Devon all have local associations at hand for assistance
and development and have done for several years now. Now we are pleased that Devon
Cricket Groundsmen will be offered the same representation with the launch of the DCGA.

The Devon Cricket Board and the Devon Cricket League have worked together to facilitate the formation of the DCGA. We are sure that the expertise we have available within our County will make the Association a success.

Initially you will see that we have appointed a steering Committee of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer all of whom will be available for election onto the Committee. We would welcome anyone else interested in joining the Committee if you think you have something to offer. We have also appointed four regional Grounds Advisors. These are the chaps that we would like you to contact if you have any queries or issues with your work on your ground. (Assuming that they are members of our Association).

ANDY CAMERON                            Tel: 07831644198                                Email: andy@instow.net

ANDY Cameron (the current Groundsman at NORTH DEVON Cricket Club) Andy is well known in the area and has made himself available for advice to local Clubs in the North of our County.

CHARLIE WOOLNOUGH Tel: 07977784144 Email: woolnough65@gmail.com

CHARLIE Woolnough (the Chairman and Groundsman of Shaldon Optimists Cricket Club) Charlie is also the current Chairman of your Association) Charlie has taken responsibility for the South area of the county including Torbay and the surrounding districts.

  COLIN WHITEHALL Tel: 07828873792 Email: colinwhitehall121@btinternet.com

COLIN Whitehall (the current Groundsman at SIDMOUTH Cricket Club) Colin is a well respected and experienced groundsman and has made himself available for advice to local Clubs in the East of the county

CHARLIE HUGHES              Tel: 07747841617                     Email: charles.hughes2@virgin.net

CHARLIE Hughes (the current Chairman and Groundsman of LEWDOWN Cricket Club Charlie in spite of being a very busy man he has made himself available for all Clubs in the West of the County and the moorland area in the west, he can be reached for advice on your grounds issues.

To summarise:

We consider that to regionalise the DCGA will be of considerable benefit, each area groundsman will represented on their area DCB Regional Development Group. They will be able to up-date members on the progress of the Association.

There will be details of future advantageous offers made available to the member Clubs. As advised in our initial letter there will be vouchers available kindly donated by Messrs DGM. A Pitch Groundsheet donated by Messrs Stuart Canvas Ltd. In addition just announced from Messrs Blade Amenity 4 bags of high quality (£35-£45 each) Wicket Feed at the AGM and complete for weed control, 4 vouchers redeemable against selective weedkiller for use on a Club outfield.

Simply, join the association to make these offers available to you and your Club. Kind Regards

Charlie

From your Chairman Charlie Woolnough.