Devon Cricket Board - All-new scorebox at Bideford

All-new scorebox at Bideford

NEW LOOK: How the refurbished scorebox at Westward Ho! will look to players this season

Visiting clubs; their players, scorers, umpires, and spectators will enjoy a new electronic scoring and match day experience at Bideford this summer after a pre-season internal and exterior upgrade to the scorebox at Westward Ho!
The old entry steps and door have been removed, a new inward opening fully adjustable observation window fitted, a purpose built entry ramp laid outside while the outside fascia has been completely altered to reflect the trend of using this method of technology to score cricket matches.
More than £4,000 has been spent on updating the scorebox which has served the club for nearly 40 years.
In a rolling programme of ground and facility improvements - the clubhouse was extended with a covered viewing area in 2011 while its outdoor nets are being replaced this year - the early 1970s scoreboard has had to be re-designed and refurbished as new club chairman Kevin Fishleigh explained.
“The original score hut (left) had become no longer fit for purpose and it was also creating access problems for people with disabilities, including our own 2nd XI scorer,” said Fishleigh.
“Because the manually operated scoring units were unreliable and expensive to maintain, we decided during the close season, to divert some club resources to fund this complete overhaul not just to improve its efficiency and appearance but also to compliment and support our computer and on-line scoring capability.
“The new electronic display boxes are fully digitised with optional integration with the Total Cricket Scorer software and the all-weather high-visibility orange illumination will ensure that the score can be seen clearly and updated quickly and accurately.
“We’ve also had several slide in panels made so that any viewer can see information about the status of the match.
“Another advantage will be an option to alter and adapt the fascia of the board if we want at a later stage to add extra scoring features.”
Fishleigh said a lot of thought, preparation, and work has gone into the new-build, from shatter-proof ball protection panels over the units to allocating space for sponsorship and advertising, which will not only offset some of the costs but make the frontage as appealing and attractive as possible.
“I’ve been very pleased and impressed with the advice and quality of the contractors services and I must also pay tribute to the voluntary contribution of club personnel and local tradesmen, who’ve not only kept installation and building expenditure down but helped to produce in my opinion one of the finest score boxes of its kind outside the Premier Division,” he said.
“The club is keen to promote Westward Ho! as a suitable venue to host district, county, and other representational cricket and we think the quality of the playing square, standard of our new scoreboard and when finished the outdoor net facility will further enhance its reputation as being one of the best grounds of its type in Devon.”
The scoreboard is expected to be ready for a trial test for the pre-season friendly game against Newton Tracey on Saturday, April 13 and fully operational for the opening first Devon League fixture against Ottery St. Mary on May 4. There are also plans later in the year to arrange an official opening.

The old scorebox pictured during a match in the 1980s - note the 1987 registered car parked next to it!

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773