Chairman's Message

These are momentous times for Earl Stonham Cricket Club as the 1st XI finished top of the Greene King Suffolk Premier League in its final season to earn promotion to Division Four of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Cricket Championship.

Congratulations to Charlie Tunstall and his team on their success.

The 2nd XI also retained their place in Division Three of the Hunts County Bats Cricket League which was a creditable outcome for Steve Lewis’s team.

The season ended with a very upbeat Dinner and Presentation Night at the Cedars Hotel in Stowmarket where awards were presented for everything from Cyril’s Magic Moment to the Players of the Year, from the Duck Award to the Most Improved Player.

At the beginning of November we held the Annual General Meeting at which officers and captains were elected for 2012.

I am delighted to report that the 1st XI will again be led by Charlie Tunstall and the 2nd XI by Steve Lewis.

Negotiations have been continuing with the Village Hall Committee regarding the provision of better changing facilities at the Hall. I can report that outline plans have been agreed and we are now preparing the Planning Permission application. Thanks are due to Derek Griffiths who has put in a lot of time and work to prepare and revise the plans to the point where the Village Hall Committee were prepared to accept them.

So now we look forward to a new challenge for 2012. There is no doubt that it will be tough but we shall be visiting some of the most senior clubs in the area and playing on some of the best grounds so it is surely a challenge to relish.

We are grateful for the support of our many Vice-Presidents over the past few years. They have contributed to the development of the club and we appreciate their interest.

I would like to wish all members, friends, sponsors and Vice-Presidents a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

Trevor Spall, Hon. Chairman, January 2012