It’s fair to say that as traumatic as the floods were for our club it has afforded us a great opportunity. The investment from the ECB alone has totalled around £250,000 and we will have a fantastic cricket field, laser levelled with drainage and irrigation system, junior wickets and ECB approved standard practice facilities.
These improvements to our facilities are something we could only have dreamed of and the ECB together with Yorkshire CCC are still striving to secure our long term future with the council by either long-term lease or, our preferred option, to purchase the land.
As a club we want to capitalise on this opportunity and are looking to you for help and support to make further improvements. We are appealing for more volunteers to get involved behind the scenes as well as looking for anyone interested in joining the committee who wishes to help shape the future of our club.

If you don’t want to get involved in the committee but have some ideas and time to invest in the club Martin Wildsmith is looking to establish a fundraising and events group to run alongside the committee. This group will work solely on organising social events for all our members and their families to enjoy as well as raising funds for improvements through events and sponsorship.
Our plan is to hold a regular monthly event such as BBQ, Australian Night, Curry Night etc. to get everyone together and enjoy our club. You don’t have to be a cricket player, just someone who wants to get involved. We cannot continue to rely on the same small number of individuals to do everything.

Those who feel they are unable to spare any time can help the club in other ways. We have attached a list of sponsorship opportunities, it would be great to see us return to a ground swathed in sponsorship as well as bringing in vital funds for the club. If each member could find a couple of sponsors this could easily be achieved. Our clubhouse is available to hire for free (subject to availability), the next time you, your friends or family are having a birthday or anniversary party why not have it at our club? Next time we have an event, bring your friends and family along. These events are not exclusively for the cricketers, the more people using our club and putting money into our events the better. Are you a golfer or do you know someone who is? Get them involved with our golf day taking place on Friday 1st September at Northcliffe Golf Club.

We’ve come a long way in 18 months and our achievements include 2 successful Poker Tournaments organised by Phil Hiley raising around £2500, 2 popular Cheltenham tournaments run by Louis Morton raising over £300, an initial Golf Day (with another planned this year) organised by Martin Wildsmith raising around £1300 as well as flood fundraising such as a Just Giving page, raffle and various sweepstakes. Jim Law established a corporate link with local gym Nuffield Health in Baildon enabling our members to get discounted membership rates and Danny Groom reworked our bar deal with a fantastic new selection now on offer as well as a better deal for the club.
Outside of the cricket, work put into the caravan site has increased it’s popularity and is a clear focus for the club as a reliable income source. Matthew Birkby has worked hard on a new website for the park www.esholtcaravanpark.co.uk with social media links as well as signing up to other camping websites. We have marketed the site to caravan rallies and have a large number booked in over the summer which has led us to improve our electrical installations around the football field.

If you can help us and want to get involved you can contact Martin Wildsmith at tongparkesholtcc@gmail.com, on 07815206323 or have a chat next time you see him. If you wish to attend the next committee meeting it will be taking place on Tuesday 9th May in the clubhouse following practice and selection.

We need your help to make our club a successful one.