Preparations for the new season gathered pace as Great Melton Cricket Club held its the annual NatWest Cricketforce Day on Saturday.
With 61 volunteers turning up all the listed jobs were completed by 2pm, leaving the ground and pavilion looking resplendent in the late spring sunshine.
Chris Brook coordinated the event and managed the workforce, with wife Joanne supplying the tea, coffee and bacon butties.
The pavilion was cleaned and tidied, outside and in, the score hut, junior pavilion, fences, benches and tables given a coat of paint, first aid kits checked;, artificial wicket and paved areas weeded, covers and sight screens prepared and the practice area tidied and repaired and the nets erected, while groundsmen Mike Phoenix and Grenville Ireland worked on the square.
A small party also found time to install a new clock, in memory of past president Andy Seeley, on the front of the score hut.
All in all, it was a very satisfying day with more senior players in attendance than at previous events.
The previous Saturday about 40 club members attended the club's kit day while pre-season nets at Easton College have been well-attended. They run for a further two weeks (Wednesday, April 15 and 22) from 7.30 to 9.30pm with any potential new players welcome to attend.
Junior coaching begins on Friday, April 21 at Melton Park from 6.30 to 8pm while the senior season starts on Saturday, April 22 with friendlies against Saham Toney (home) and Eaton (away).
The new league season get under way on Saturday, April 29.
There was also a NatWest Cricketforce Day at Stradbroke Cricket Club.
A dedicated dozen members and volunteers, clad in sponsored T-shirts, cut and rolled grass, tidied the shed, fixed the fence, painted the sightscreens and erected the practice nets.
Players of all ages are very welcome to join the club, which is the oldest in Suffolk, having been formed in 1743, and plays in the Two Counties League on Saturdays and in the Suffolk T20 Cup on Sundays.
If you are interested, contact chairman Michael Hugman on 07796 465347.
The Junior section is being revived through coaching in four local primary schools, with coaching at the club on Friday nights.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here