Volunteers at work on the dressing room block at Stoke Gabriel
STOKE Gabriel's ground is going to be spic-and-span for the start of the new season after a weekend of hard labour by club members.
The club was one of almost 1,400 nationwide to sign up with the ECB Cricket Force initiative, which is sponsored by NatWest bank.
It was the first time the club had been involved in the initiative which encourages volunteers to help support their local club.
Around 20 members gave up their weekend to carry out jobs ranging from trimming trees and bushes to painting creosote on the scorebox and changing room block.
Sightscreens were painted, so was the inside of the pavilion, and work was done on the practice nets and the artificial wicket.
Stoke clubman Tim Nand-Lal said: “The weekend was a real success getting the club ready for the new season as well as getting everyone together. “
“It was also a great way for the club's youngsters, their parents and some of the senior players to get together prior to the start of the season. It is sure to be repeated.”
Nand-Lal said the club would like to thank companies that donated materials used in the brush up, which included Focus DIY, Interline and Wolseleys.
Pictured right is Stoke's Angus Lee at work on the scorebox.
