- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
Officials at Heathcoat are calling out to the local community to assist or simply visit the club to see what is happening over the weekend.
From 10:00am on Saturday, anyone is welcome to visit and get their hands dirty! Even former England Captain Mike Gatting will be rolling his sleeves up to help the mid-Devon club!
Gatting and David Leighton, the ECB’s national club programme’s manager, are visiting the Tiverton club to see how the £500,000 pavilion rebuild project is coming along.
By the time Gatting and Leighton get to the ground on the Knightshayes Estate, work should be close to completion.
Heathcoat is the venue for a NatWest CricketForce county showcase event on Saturday, April 6, when it is hoped to add some of the finishing touches.
NatWest’s CricketForce scheme has helped dozens of clubs throughout Devon in recent years with practical assistance towards ground improvements – both in cash terms and help with volunteer labour by bank staff.
The CricketForce principals are self-help and volunteer involvement.
Benches restoration, landscaping improvements, grass cutting, fence painting, scoreboard maintenance, erection of practice facilities, signage and general cleaning and maintenance will be just a few of the tasks to finish.
“The voluntary teams comprising NatWest bank staff, Heathcoat players and supporters together with other volunteers from around the county will be led by a member of the construction team so that tasks would be carried out properly and safely,” said Heathcoat chairman John Smith.
Smith said grant aid from Viridor Credits’ landfill communities fund, the ECB and the Heathcoat Trust, together with the help and cooperation of the National Trust have been central to the success of the project
“But without more than £100,000 of added value from Tiverton volunteers and local businesses it would just not have happened he said.
“Tiverton people really have stood up and been counted and our community should be immensely proud of what they have achieved.”
Matt Theedom, the DCB’s cricket development manager, has appealed to the wider cricket community to help finish the biggest project in Devon cricket this year.
“Heathcoat have lots to do to complete their project and I would like to use this event to both support them, but also promote Natwest CricketForce and the work the Devon Cricket Board undertake,” said Theedom.
“The entire pavilion project at Heathcoat is based on CricketForce principals and a great example to all clubs who wish to improve their facilities and attract new volunteers.
“With ECB grant aid for Capital projects reducing in the foreseeable future, we and our clubs will need to embrace NWCF in a way they have not done in the past.
“Anyone who can commit a few hours to help will be welcome at what will be a great advert for Devon cricket.”
Theedom intends asking county age group sides, the full county side and the women’s squad if they can spare some time to help out.
“Heathcoat will become a venue that everyone will want to use, so it makes sense that we all assist in finishing off the facility.”