Sussex local cricket initiatives

jim,

Many thanks for those links.

The 'Aldridge Community Academy' is a wonderful initiative from Sir Rodney Aldridge. The county of Sussex are lucky
to have such a man in their midst and his cricketing vision improves the chances of discovering future home-grown cricketers
for the Club. Every good luck to those going to South Africa.



en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Aldridge

On the other hand, having endured a two hour hard sell over lunch last summer by Lashings PLC when I was invited by Newick CC
to attend their match against the celebrity side, I hope those who show up at the Crowhurst Park meal wear a heavy suit of armour.
They won’t know what’s hit them!

Perhaps, the most exhausting lunch ever encountered, where diners had to wait 90 minutes between the main course and dessert as
the PLC salesmen got down to work, selling everything via auctions, both live and silent, as well as raffles and fixed priced items.
Then, when the dessert did arrive, accompanied by loud cheers from the paying guests, it was 7 small slices of strawberry and a blob
of whipped cream.

It is no wonder that so few cricket clubs regularly invite Lashings back and if so, it is usually after a 5 to 10 year gap, so as to give diners
time to forget their previous experience.

The one outstanding memory was watching former Sussex and England seamer, Ed Giddins, strut his stuff as the Lashings MC. One of
the most impressive public speakers seen in ages. I am delighted that he is doing more work for Sussex CCC, particularly via player
Benefit dinners. Hopefully, his contentious past is entirely forgiven and Ed becomes a regular at special events held at Hove. Having
spoken to him after the lunch it became obvious how much he desires to be welcomed back to the Club bosom.

unofficialsussexccc.freeforums.net/thread/3/softandfluffys-wicked-cricket-blog?page=11