Wedmore Cricket Club – New Cricket Pitch Roller

One of the most satisfying aspects of the clubs recent success is the number of junior players aged under 18 now playing in the senior teams, last season there were 10 junior cricketers who had made this transition. It is therefore essential for the further development of these young cricketers that the natural grass pitches that the senior teams matches are played on provide a similar level of consistency to the artificial wicket that they have played on at junior level. This can only be achieved with significant investment in machinery and its maintenance, coupled with a lot of voluntary hours of hard work. The club has an enthusiastic ‘Grounds Team’ and over recent seasons has made significant further investment in new mowers and a new scarifier.

Our existing roller ‘Alfred’ was refurbished in the 1990’s and has been very well-used since then. But Alfred is a Frankenstinian roller that is made from a number of separate salvaged elements plus a number of bespoke machined items cobbled together, but somehow it has worked! However last season the club had to pay over £250 to get some components re-machined and had to hire in a replacement for the duration of the repair at a further cost of £200. We are being advised that a number of major parts are badly worn and their replacements are not available off the shelf. Therefore the club have decided that it needs to replace Alfred as it can’t afford anymore unforeseen expenses and can’t afford to be without a roller during the playing season.

The cricket club are now seeking to raise funds to purchase a new pitch roller and have organised the following events to raise funds; bag packing at Tesco, the annual 6-a-side cricket competition in July, signing on night BBQ and a race night. We also plan to make a number of grant applications to support our own fundraising efforts. We believe that the club needs to raise £3,500 towards an overall cost of £8,370 for a new Poweroll Club pitch roller, as pictured above.

Our plan is to replace the roller in time for the 2020 season (subject to funding being secured).

Historically the club have lost junior players to larger clubs with better facilities but this is not now the case and the club aim to retain as many of their junior players to feed into the senior teams.

The continued provision of quality grass pitches is central to our future success.