Many thanks to the 36 members who attended the club’s first ever virtual AGM on Friday Jan 22nd 2021. It was a little different, but somehow it worked!

2020 was an extraordinary year to say the least, but the positive news is that we got through it and we are in good shape for 2021. All we need now are smart politicians, well behaved citizens and a fast vaccine roll out and we have half a chance of starting the season on time. What are the odds…??

David Sidwell kicked things off with his usual lucid explanation of what happened on the financial front and how we managed to keep our heads above water. Our financial year ended on September 30th 2020. It will come as no surprise that our income was significantly down year on year – 50% down to be precise - but with tight control of our costs we closed with a 7k surplus for the 12-month period.

TPCC legend Lionel Hitchings was kind enough to offer this tribute to the Management Team:

“I would like to propose a sincere vote of thanks to the Management Team for their expertise and hard work over the last year during this ‘Virus World’. It is likely that without their dedication Tring Park Cricket Club might not have a future. I look forward to the summer when hopefully we might play/watch some cricket.”

I was pleased to have the opportunity to share our evolved operating structure, with clear, separate responsibilities for cricket delivery and commercial management, and to confirm our Mission. These words are important and the foundation for all our decision making:

Zoom technology enabled attendees to approve the accounts and also to officially elect Management Team members new into post and the Captains for the coming season. Regarding the latter, they are as follows:

• 1st Team: Steve Clarke
• 2nd Team: Paul Orton
• 3rd Team: Mark Bater
• 4th Team: Andy Grout
• Sunday Captain: Steve Dutch
• Piranhas Captain: Toby Seagrave
• Women’s Captain: Natalie Gurnett

Attendees also approved the Management Team’s recommendation that subscriptions stay the same for the coming season and for the introduction of Junior Parent membership category at half the normal cost of a social membership: £15.

Thanks for all the questions posed in advance and at the meeting. To repeat what I said on Friday: Everyone would love to see the clubhouse open all year round and we are committed to trying to achieve this…and I hope we will. A thriving, sustainable facility, hosted by TPCC, open to the whole Tring sports loving community, all year round, is a vision I hope we can all sign up to and play a part in achieving.

Virus permitting, there’s much to look forward to this year and lots of exciting projects for members to get their teeth stuck into, away from scoring runs, taking wickets and taking (or dropping) catches. Simon Wastling is on the verge of securing the national counties T20 and championship finals at TPCC and we can also look forward to the return of the Lords Taverner’s in September to play a club XI and an England disability XI.

I know everyone is busting to get back to the club, see their friends and enjoy the best – and soon to be enhanced – views in Tring.

See you there.
Best Wishes
Nick