Cricket Force transforms Oakworth Cricket Clubhouse !!

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. The complete re-painting of the Oakworth Cricket Clubhouse both inside and outside was completed ahead of schedule by a veritable army of club members, supporters, parents and a huge contingent of Oakworth Scouts and Guides. The designated start at 09:30 was reached and suddenly the club was besieged by helpers!!! There were First teamers, Second Teamers, Third Teamers, juniors galore as well as the local rent-a-job mob from the Scouts and Guides!! As it turned out it was a most wonderfully sunny day, despite a chilly wind and all the tasks Oaks Committee had planned to achieve were met hours ahead of the expected end time.
Judging by the amount of paint in everyone's hair you might have thought none of it got on the walls!! The snazzy NatWest tea-shirts also got dollops of paint to augment the first wash!! Once again a huge thank you to Louise Makin (Scouts) and Janet Armstrong (Guides) for encouraging their 'armies' to turn out and help. I am assured that they should all get absolute armfuls of badges for their considerable efforts!
One major job was to replace all the rotted timber slats in the sight screen and this was undertaken by club members with plastic panels supplied by sponsor David Brunskill Windows. Thanks David !!
Jeff and Grandson Gordon were painting the entire lounge interior, whilst Graham did the vacuuming!! Honest !!
	A big. big, big thanks was due to the Wrathall family who mob-handedly cleaned up the kitchen facilities and then provided everyone with cups of tea, coffee, bacon butties and a chilli to finish it off. Heroes the lot of 'em!!!
By 2:30 in the afternoon all the jobs were just about done as were most of the participants!!! Well done to all and remember there's always next year if you were one of the unlucky ones who missed out this year!!!!!!!!!!!

1st April (Sunday) is the designated day for one of the sport's widest participation events for club members, volunteers and Professional cricketers. All the First Class Counties support the event.

So what's it all about?

Its the day (or two for some clubs) when the club goes under the microscope and gets an annual spring clean. Its a day when all members, supporters, sponsors, local village groups, volunteering organisations and cricketers can get together to focus on all the maintenance jobs that a cricket club needs to do. It will for us include painting the clubhouse, both inside and out, positioning the ground seating, grass-cutting, weeding, strimming and maybe planting the odd flower bed. Electrical and plumbing work can also be included. Repairs to the sight-screens and seat fixing. In fact any task we feel needs addressing.

Is this just Oakworth CC?

Yes but we will not be alone. This year from our neck of the world as well as oaks also registered are Bingley Congs, Bradley, Ingrow, Denholme, Saltaire and Steeton, all members of the Bradford Development Group. In 2006 (April) over 1,000 clubs Nationally took part. Locally clubs such as Steeton and Saltaire were featured and had excellent backing from the professional ranks.

Our committee has prepared a plan as to the range of tasks, which will include provision of refreshments (!) We hope the help will come from the village Scouts and Guides.

So the committee are looking for a full turn out of everyone....that means you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So what's the National interest?

ECB and major sponsors NatWest have combined to bring together a huge range of sponsors, who will provide materials and possibly services either free of charge or at cost. Most significant amongst this is the availability, locally, of free paint !!! All we need is the painters (volunteers). Tee-Shirts (free) will be provided.