At the AGM on Sunday 28th October, our Chairman, Tom Eaton gave the following report:
The past twelve months have been productive for Charlbury Cricket Club. Plenty of highs, a couple of lows, some change and overall a satisfactory year which gives us the opportunity to push on in 2019.
On the field we saw some great success with our Ladies side and our 2nd XI winning their respective leagues. Our 1st team experienced a few issues, mainly due to key injuries and our 3rd team continued to enjoy their cricket, both finishing mid table. Four of our ladies represented the County side week in week out; as they all have done from U13 to senior level. The county experienced good success with the team based around key Charlbury players. The senior cricket end of season ‘bash’ was changed to incorporate a six –a-side tournament throughout the day followed by the presentation evening in the club, all who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves. 2018 also saw the senior players go on their now annual pre-season tour to Leeds, sadly as is often the way in Yorkshire during April, the weather prevented any play, but a good tour was had by all and it again provided another good start to the season. It is also worth noting that Senior Nets, which began way back in January were extremely popular in the new Community Centre on a Sunday night. Likewise the new Membership & Subscription format was popular and allowed players to make easy payment and take advantage of the different levels of Membership.
Our Youth Section continues to flourish. The club providing cricket for youngsters in the area; good coaching, a great setting and enthusiasm keeps all engaged. Like the Senior section, the youth section switched our end of season awards format; the Community Centre playing host and Charlbury caps being awarded to players rather than trophies, this seemed very popular and a format which will be used again and grow from.
Our superb facilities which are the envy of many clubs all over the district continue to shine. The dedicated hard work of many meant that not only did we successfully host our own games through all age groups and levels, we also hired out the facilities for the annual beer festival, a christening, two parties, the cycling club, a touring side, Witney Swifts and a friendly side called Haymakers, who like to come to Charlbury year in year out.
Financially we are almost in an identical place to where we were this time last year. A full report from our Treasurer will follow. 2017 Bonfire Night was a huge success in terms of the evening itself and importantly raising vital cash for the club, a huge thanks goes to the group of key individuals who ‘make it happen’. It is noted though that there is a too heavy reliance on Bonfire Night as our only main fundraising event, one of the key points we must address in 2019.
A year ago, we highlighted the need to get more members engaged with the running of the club and volunteering at various work parties and events. I am pleased to report that this has happened in many instances and I hope can continue to grow into 2019.
I would like to take this opportunity to say what a privilege it has been to be Chairman of CCC for the last twelve months. If successfully elected for another year I hope that we continue to address and develop many of the points I have raised above and more. I believe that the proposal we have for a new Cricket Committee, the ongoing strength of our Ladies & Youth Section’s will allow us to continue to flourish on the field. The Management Committee will step up another gear to ensure that everything is provided to allow this to happen. in particular we do need to address our financial short comings and continue to put in place a 3-5 year plan which will allow CCC to remain at the heart of cricket in Oxfordshire Cricket.
Thank you for all your support, good humour and determination…. Here is to 2019!
