BARTON Cricket Club were ship-shape for the start of the summer campaign — thanks to a willing band of volunteers.
Club officials, players of all ages, their families and friends worked throughout the day on several projects around Barton’s Cricketfield Road ground. It was all part of the Devon League club’s first venture into NatWest Cricket Force day, where clubs up and down the country try to encourage volunteers and supporters to carry out various jobs.
The Barton changing rooms, indoor wicket, tea rooms and kitchens were given the once over for the season ahead. The biggest project was revamping the club’s score box which was re-clad and painted by a team of hard-working members, led by Mark Lipton and Neil Wreford, whose sons play for Barton’s youth teams and who are builders by trade.
Also there lending a helping hand was four-year-old Phoebe-Leigh Parker, daughter of first team captain Adam who organised the day.
Adam said: “It was great to see everybody get stuck in, including Phoebe who enjoyed every minute.
“Clubs like Barton cannot survive without volunteers. I would just like to say a big thank you to everybody who helped out on the day and to Southern Timber who supplied the wood for the score box.”
New players and members are welcome at the club. The seniors train every Wednesday from 6.45pm and the colts, who compete in the South Devon Youth League at under 11, 13, 15 and 17 age groups, every Sunday between 10am and noon. Just ring 01803 327614 or 07703 129682 for further details
