2011 NatWest CricketForce

This year we were very fortunate to have seven members of staff from local NatWest branches to help us. They came as a separate party on 8 April and set about the major task of giving the internal walls and ceilings a fresh coat of emulsion paint. They also applied teak oil to
Jim Cooke's bench, tightened some bolts on the catching cradle and trimmed the edges on the artificial wicket. Their number included Martin Bovey and Nick Baxter of CWCC fame who later laid out the boundaries ropes and markers in readiness for the new season. The Express & Echo sent along a photographer who took several photos of the workers in various poses. A short report and a small (very small) picture appeared in the Echo on 14 April. We are very grateful to all the NatWest staff who took part and hope that they will be willing to help again next year. They also contributed towards the material used on the day.

All CWCC players had been asked to turn up for the second session on Sunday 10 April to carry out more tasks. For whatever reason, few members actually attended, but we had valuable help from parents of some of the colts section who were there for coaching. Some of the ladies did excellent work by cleaning windows and clearing weeds from the patio, while the men flexed their muscles in erecting nets, sightscreens, etc. A lunchtime barbecue was laid on for all those taking part in the morning's activities. In the afternoon, the first match of the season, a friendly against Kenn, was played. Mike Fernbank.

Bert Baitup

Hard on the heels of losing one Vice-President, came news of the death of another - Albert (Bert) Baitup. Sadly, he never recovered from the stroke he suffered early in 2010. His funeral took palce at the Exeter Crematorium (St Peter's Chapel) on Tuesday 7th September 2010.