Sad news

It is with considerable sadness I have to inform you that Ken and Joan Merchant, the father and mother of Sue Walker and Mark Merchant and grandfather and grandmother of Matthew and Daniel, passed away in Southend Hospital last Thursday.

Ken was a benefactor to the Club in the 1990’s and took a great interest in the Club particularly because Mark was a stalwart of the 1st XI at that time and of course Bradley and Matthew have been playing at the Club and doing a massive amount of work of all types there for many years and Sue as you will know has provided teas at the Club for almost all of that time.

Our heartfelt condolences go to Sue, Mark and their families at this very difficult time for them. Sadly, attendance at the funeral will not be possible due to the ongoing Government guidelines.

Brian Dawbarn

Letter from the Committee – 26th March 2020

To: All members, players, parents, carers

We are all living through unprecedented and uncertain times and that is also true as far as cricket is concerned at the Club.  The Club Management Committee have been reviewing the situation and this message is sent to you to let you know what may or may not happen at the Club this year.

You will be aware that all nets and coaching have been cancelled at Fitzwimarc School for the rest of the year up to Easter.   All friendly games in April prior to the League season have been cancelled and the probability is that many League games will have to be cancelled too with a distinct possibility there may be no League games at all this season.

The pavilion is closed for all activities until further notice.

As regards the financial situation it will be a difficult year for the Club with potentially heavily reduced income but we have been able to negotiate reductions in quite a number of the larger areas of cost and are taking measures to reduce costs in other areas.

The Club should remain financially solvent and we thank those of you who have paid your subscriptions already and those of you who are paying by standing order.   To those of you who are paying in this way we would ask that you continue to do so if you can afford to, but if you need or wish to stop these payments temporarily please advise Richard Verrinder.   In addition, if you have lost your job you may wish for any payments made to date to be repaid so please advise Richard of this as well.    These requests will be treated in confidence.

With regard to the amounts of membership subscription payable for the season the Club Management Committee will decide how much should be paid when it is known how many games, if any, have been played in the season.   In the event of the season being a total washout, the expectancy will be that the subscription will be repayable less a token membership fee of say £10 or £20. Alternatively, the balance could be carried forward in respect of the 2021 subscription at the member’s choice.

The Club Management Committee is also very grateful to those members who have offered to make additional financial donations to the club – they are very much appreciated.  However, we are not sure they will be necessary at the present time but will advise those of you who have contacted us about this when we know more about our financial situation.  

Please note if there is any indication that playing cricket can be resumed we will be in touch about what is going to happen as soon as practical afterwards.

Finally, we would like to give our best wishes to all of our members and their families and that they will keep safe and be well throughout this difficult time.

Richard Verrinder

On behalf of the Club Management Committee

Coronavirus – Covid:19 – Updated 17March20

To: All members, players, parents, carers
 

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement last night regarding various precautions to deal with the Coronavirus (Covid:19) outbreak we will be ceasing all coaching and nets with immediate effect.

 
We will, of course, keep you informed of developments and any changes which affect Rayleigh CC via emails, the website and facebook as soon we know them.
 
In the meantime please keep yourselves safe by following the latest Government advice, NHS website and the news bulletins.
on behalf of the RCC committee

February 2020: Colts Nets – Change of session times

COLTS WINTER NETS – CHANGE IN SESSION TIMES

Dear parents – it’s been great to see so many children back at cricket for winter nets, many familiar faces and a lot of new ones too.

We are currently running 3 sessions each week across age groups u11, u13 & u15.  In order to get more structured sessions in place, we are looking at changing sessions – see below. Over the past week we have canvassed many of the parents and the consensus is that the proposed new timings will still allow for high level of attendance for each age group. U9 sessions remain unchanged.

 

New session

Old session

u11

Monday, 18:30-19:30

Wednesday, 19:00-20:00

u13

Wednesday, 19:00-20:00

Wednesday, 20:00-21:00

u15

Wednesday, 20:00-21:00

Monday, 18:30-19:30

These changes are with immediate effect, so for example, from Monday 17Feb, the U11 group will train at 6.30pm on Monday’s. All winter net sessions will continue to be held in the Sports Hall at Fitzwimarc School; FYI, we continue training through February half-term. 

If you have any questions in regard these changes please contact Tom Osbourn (j6tco@sky.com)

15th Feb – Access to Fitzwimarc School

From this Saturday (15th Feb) the entrance to Fitzwimarc School is being moved to the back of the school in Helena Road and the car parks at the front and side of the school will no longer be in use. 
 
A postcode in Helena Road is SS6 8LL although where exactly the entrance is in that road is unknown. At least with sat nav you’ll be in the right road!
 
For those of you who don’t use a sat nav here are some possible routes for you.
 
From Eastwood and Southend coming along Eastwood Road turn right into the Chase, follow to the end and turn left into Bull Lane, turn right into Louise Road and at the T-junction go right and immediately left into the new entrance and the new car park is in front of you.
 
From Hockley turn left at the mini roundabout before Fitzwimarc into Victoria Road and third on the right is Helena Road. Proceed along here for about 300 metres and the new entrance is on the right just before Louise Road on the left.
 
From Hullbridge and Wickford come along Eastwood Rood past the school on the right and at the mini roundabout turn right into Victoria Road then third on the right is Helena Road. Proceed along here for about 300 metres and the new entrance is on the right just before Louise Road on the left.
 
From Hadleigh and Canvey you can go along East wood Road as above or avoiding the town turn right into Glasseys Lane about 100 metres after the Weir roundabout, left into Weir Gardens, right into Roach avenue, left at the T junction at the end into Dawes Heath Road, right into Eastwood Road, 3rd left into Trinity Road, 3rd left into Jubilee Road, right into Bull Lane then left into Louise Road and at the T-junction go right and immediately left into the new entrance and the new car park is in front of you. It will be quicker at busy times I promise you providing you don’t get lost!!
 
Hope to see you there!!
 
All the best
 
Brian.

February 2020: Nets start Saturday ….

Indoor nets & coaching will start in the Sports Hall at Fitzwimarc School on Saturday 1st February 2020 and will continue until Easter (including half-term)

Colts coaching start this weekend

1 February to 8 April, inclusive.  All at Fitz:

U9 – Saturday, 11:30-12:30

U11 – Wednesday, 19:00-20:00  

U13 – Wednesday, 20:00-21:00

U15 – Monday, 18:30-19:30

Saturdays – 1 February to 4 April

10:30 to 11:30 – Adult nets

11:30 to 12:30 – Coaching for Under 9s plus under 11s who can’t attend on a Wednesday

Mondays – 3 February to 6 April

18:30 to 19:30 – Coaching for Under 15s

19:30 to 20:30 – Adult nets  – Women & Girls and 3rd to 7th XI players

20:30 to 21:30 – Adult nets 1st & 2nd XI players

Wednesdays – 5 February to 8 April

19:00 to 20:00 – Coaching for Under 11s

20:00 to 21:00 – Coaching for Under 13s

Any adults or colts of 15 and over who can’t attend the session allocated above should contact Brian Dawbarn (brian.dawbarn456@btinternet.com) to discuss possible alternative arrangements.

Any boys or girls aged under 15 who can’t attend the session allocated above should contact Tom Osbourn  (j6tco@sky.com) to discuss possible alternative arrangements.

Net fees £2 per hour session

AGM 2019 – elected

AGM

These members were elected as officers and team captains for the 2020 season

Post

Name

Officers

 

President

Brad Walker

Chairman

Brian Dawbarn

Treasurer

Lorraine Frost

Secretary

Richard Verrinder

Fixtures Secretary

Matt Walker

Social Secretary

Sam Law

Bar manager

Lorraine Frost

Grounds Manager

Matt & Brad Walker

 Colts Coaching Co-ordinator

Tom Osbourn 

Captains

 

1st team

Andy Impey

2nd team

Richard Nolde

3rd team

Matt Walker

4th team

Brad Walker

5th team

Sam Levett

6th team

Richard Verrinder

7th team

Brian Dawbarn

Women & Girls

Lorraine Frost

Sunday

Chris Frost

Midweek

Matt Walker

 

 

 

Sad news

It was with great sadness that the Club learnt of the death of Brian Emmett in October 2019 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Brian spent 7 years at the club at the end of the 1970’s through to 1985. He held prominent positions every year, from Youth Team manager in 1979, 2nd XI captain in 1980, 1st XI captain in 1981 & 1982 and finally Sunday XI captain between 1983 and 1985. The bare facts of Brian’s Rayleigh career read in excess of 1700 runs scored from 180 innings with a top score of 66 and 250 wickets from 1300 overs at the highly respectable average of under 17 runs per wicket. His best season with the ball occurred in 1982 when he took 69 wickets at an average of 12.92 and claimed the Bowling Cup with figures of 8-65. What was more remarkable was that he had changed his bowling action that very season, replacing his military medium pace with slow right arm. Brian often defeated batsmen with his wily use of flight and lack of pace, but certainly not with off-spin as he never spun a ball all season !! He was also a key member of the Mid-Essex Division 2 winning side in 1984.

Brian was a true character in every sense of the word. He had a multitude of stories that would captivate and amuse (though none that can be repeated here !) especially the younger players fresh out of school/college. He was certainly in his element during the 1981 tour of Devon reducing poor Malcolm Sparrow to tears over a fake flat tyre “incident” and during the 1984 tour to Bath. He always seemed to have a permanent tan and on one occasion was consoled by the home umpire at Chignal who apologised for having to give him out lbw. Unfortunately the player in question given out was none other than our local Pakistani newsagent Mohammed Khaki !!

Brian’s true legacy though was with his development and mentoring of a host of young players who have gone on to serve Rayleigh CC with great distinction. Phil Wolff, Andy Thurogood, John Wright, Willie Leadbeater and Tony Catling were all taken under his wing and very much looked upon Brian as a mentor/father figure at the time. His great belief in their talent and ability was without doubt paramount in them not only becoming major players at the Club but probably ensuring they remained at Rayleigh CC in those formative years. At the time Rayleigh was well served with a number of senior players who will always intrinsically be associated with Brian, including Chris Baker, Jim Harding, Ralph Adler, Stuart Pinkerton and Harry Walker, Brad’s dad. It’s fair to say that their like will probably never be seen again and in the subsequent 35 years certainly never replicated. Brian was also highly instrumental in the staging of the popular and successful traditional summer Barn Dances held at David Pinkerton’s Lubards farm where over 350 people would be in attendance.

Some of us were fortunate enough to meet up with Brian and his son Darren when they popped over to watch the 3rd XI at Woodham Mortimer a few years back and it was great to see him once more as he had moved down to Cornwall over 20 years previously. He will be greatly missed.  

 

Outdoor coaching starts on Saturday ….

Practice and coaching sessions at Rawreth Lane

Outdoor Colts coaching sessions will start at Rawreth Lane on Saturday 27th April 2019.

Sessions for Under 11s and under 13s will run from 9.15 to 10.45 on Saturday mornings from this Saturday (27th April).
An additional Under 11 session will run from 10 to 11 to accommodate young people still playing football.

Under 15 coaching will be on Monday evenings from 6 until 7.

Women and Girls sessions will be on Monday evenings from 7 to 8.

Adult practice sessions for the 5s, 6s & 7s will be on Monday evenings from 7 onwards in the nets until after 8.

Adult practice sessions for the 1st to 4th XIs will be from 6.30 onwards on Thursday evenings.

Please note the arrangements for adults may be changed if there are too many people on one evening. 
Also there is no charge at these sessions for members.
Sessions will not take place if it is raining or the ground is wet from previous rain.
Practice evenings will be as follows

Brian Dawbarn, Chairman