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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 26, 2016 11:27:49 GMT
Having perused the informative Sussex CCC ‘County Ground’ Website which partly focuses on the club’s impending off-field activities there are some interesting events ahead. www.countygroundsussex.co.uk/upcoming-events/The Brighton Fringe is soon upon us and Sussex CCC are continuing their liaison with the festival which began last year. In 2015, Sussex CCC hosted two separate events, ‘The Wedding Show’ and ‘Radio Blighty’. The latter was great fun but sadly, due to a lack of publicity, these comedic performances based on a 1930s English radio show never took off. The former was more successful and the club have decided to continue backing it. Because the performance is based around an actual in-situ dinner, as a money-making exercise, this is club prudence at work. Yet, we learnt in the recent Sussex accounts how little profit is being made from catering and while one applauds all the luncheons and dinners the club are holding in 2016, those financial margins must be improved, otherwise, what’s the point, unless feasting is viewed more as a community venture. Gunshot or gung-ho? Another snag is the show itself. The Australian Company who produce it are called Interactive Theatre International (ITI) - the same group behind the worldwide success ‘Faulty Towers - The Dining Experience’. Here’s the problem. John Cleese aka Basil Fawlty is threatening to sue the company for the “shameless rip-off” of his TV series, claiming unpaid royalties. He tweeted, “Seems they thought that by not asking, and by changing the 'w' to a 'u', they'd be in the clear! Hilarious.” www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-35888084ITI retorted, “We are staggered by his vitriol…” claiming Cleese had known about the show for years. Whether ‘Basil’ is experiencing yet another divorce and requires additional monies is unknown but given the show garners around £1m a year, it is likely Cleese was unaware of its financial success. While unlikely, whether a threatened lawsuit may affect the Company and its ‘Wedding Show’, remains to be seen. www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/mar/24/john-cleese-fawlty-towers-dinner-show-faulty-towers-staggered-by-vitriolwww.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/Fawlty-Towers-20-of-Basils-best-rants/Tom Jones is another event under the spotlight as the club advertise for young hospitality and bar staff for the night. The last two music concerts saw Sir Cliff Richard and Madness play at Hove. Sir Cliff attracted just 5,000 people and Madness 8,000 - yet the club are trumpeting an expectant 15,000 to Jones’ concert. While one applauds this optimistic approach only Elton John has captivated more and one queries whether Jones bathes in the same pulling-power stratosphere as Elton. When he performed at Northamptonshire CCC in July 2014, Jones attracted around 8,500 people. April 25th is surely a must event to attend as our Club President, David Bowden, will be performing magic tricks to the assembled audience. Ted Dexter was all gung-ho about playing magic on his family at his 80th birthday bash last year; but at the last minute he “chickened out” (his words). One hopes David does not do the same, although he is used to conjury given he was District General Manager of Brighton Health Authority between 1985 and 1991 where turning water into wine was probably a regular occurrence. www.bsuh.nhs.uk/about-us/our-hospital-our-history/david-bowden/Meanwhile, the Sussex Cricket Foundation launch their 2016 appeal year on April 29th with Luke Wright, Ross Taylor & Mike Yardy in attendance. And the Ale festival makes a welcome return - its sixth year - in late May; but where are the Ladies Tea events? So much promise that disappeared in a wisp of cream scones. |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 27, 2016 7:05:00 GMT
An extraordinary story that epitomises the awesome power of the human spirit. When he was eight years old, Amir Hussain Lone lost both his arms in an accident
at his family's saw mill in Indian-administered Kashmir. Now, at 26, he's mastered
cricket and is the captain of the Jammu and Kashmir para-cricket team.www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35884363 |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 29, 2016 17:28:52 GMT
The New Season Begins - a Look at the Off-Field Changes + More
________________________________________________________________________________Part 1No new season begins without first a chat to our special club representative - Sam the gatekeeper man. Ever friendly and congenial, always warm and approachable, Sussex CCC are lucky to have such a person welcoming people through the Martlet’s gate. Sam the Man Like all of us, Sam is excited and expectant for 2016 and hopes for an immediate return to Division 1. He sings high praise for the new club coach, Mark Davis, whom he calls “a people’s person” and I learnt that from now on, all the Sussex players are expected to travel by coach to away matches - unlike in recent years where a majority used their personal cars. This is a new edict from Mark Davis, who believes sharing a coach creates a bond amongst the Sussex team and avoids any problems like last season when Lewis Hatchett broke down on the M1 going to a Notts match and turned up late for its start.  The Santander logo, sponsors of the education centre next to the Club shop, is now proudly emblazoned on the school windows. Tim Shutt and others from Community HQ are justifiably proud. The new sponsor of the county ground ‘1st Central’ has their name at the entrance, although the old sponsor is still highlighted in certain areas of the ground. One hopes this will soon be changed.  Who should be in the media centre but “The Voice of the Oval”, media all-sorts Mark Church. You name it - he does it - from video-making, BBC radio broadcaster, photographer, social media and 'Twitterer', website blogger - this will be his 17th year of radio commentary for Surrey. Having recently interviewed him via phone for a magazine feature, it was good to meet up in the flesh and we had a fun 40 minute chat. Being a friendly match, there wasn’t much for him to do, so he welcomed the natter given no-one else was in the Centre. What did I gleam? Mark was raised in Lindfield, Sussex. As a boy he practised in the County ground nets and even had aspirations - however brief - to be a professional batsman. He also watched Sussex matches at Hove with his Dad. "Remember those large chicken eggs during an OD game?" he smiled. "If the ball struck them, there would be a prize for the batsman..." www.sussexcricket.co.uk/blog-article/stonegate-eggsChurchy  Today, he lives in Haywards-Heath close to the 'Princess Royal Hospital' with his wife and 6 year-old daughter. He commutes up to the Oval, but for away games, he generally drives. Mark hasn’t had a family holiday in years but has booked one, finally, for this October. The Summer is an intense period for him but he feels privileged to be doing a job he loves. It was “Churchy”, as his friends call him, who badgered the BBC for many years to open the doors to ball by ball commentary and now every county game is aired - every county game is followed… ball by ball. Mark explained for a big match like last May when Kevin Pietersen scored 355 against Leicestershire, over 60,000 people listened to his commentary - and they tune-in from all over the world, from oil rigs in Saudi Arabia to the desolation of the Australian bush. Mark is a big fan of KP although he realises the great man polarises the public. “I have never seen anyone train as hard as Kev,” he explained. “And he always helped out and encouraged the Surrey youngsters.” In fact, everyone I have spoken to who knows Pietersen, always has a good word for the former England batsman. Meanwhile, Mark hasn’t met the new Surrey Coach, Michael Di Venuto, yet, as he was flying in from Australia that day. An interview has already been lined up and Mark is chomping at the bit to meet and greet him. During the Winter, Churchy continues to work for Surrey but more in the marketing dept side, where he produces videos and the like and helps 'The Oval' sell their England international tickets.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2016 20:51:14 GMT
I am delighted to report that Sussex CCC have followed my example by offering a diary of forthcoming events occurring at the Hove County...oops, 'Ist Central County Ground'. I have been offering a monthly diary list of off-field club events for close on two years and mentioned its popularity to our media officer, Adam Matthews, on several occasions. Here is the present Sussex CCC diary for 2016 which presumably will change as new events are added. www.countygroundsussex.co.uk/upcoming-events/It proves the club listens to you! s&f is the Innermost Circle. That's why the IC goon squad don't like him: they're jealous that's he's now more Inner than they are! |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 30, 2016 8:03:09 GMT
The New Season Begins - Part 2
_________________________________________A new sight greets the cricket follower as you settle yourself down in one of the many Hove ground seats. Look to the North East corner and you’ll be dazzled by a wondrous apparition - the new commercial offices are erected and stand proud. In the distance - viewed from the Media Centre Five in all, it only took four and a half months to build and they are damn good. Serendipity allowed the Club Operations Officer, Ian Waring, to be on site when I walked past and he kindly showed me around them. Ian explained that due to, primarily logistics, the club have decided to settle on five offices for now. There was ambition to convert the large drinks counter at the back of the area into a sixth, but five it is until further notice. Rockpool The most impressive two offices are already rented by an IT company called Rockpool. These two stand out with a large verandah and fantastic views across the ground. A third office is taken by another Tech business with a fourth where the contract is about to be signed. Only one office is still available. Inside, the offices are plush, each with their own kitchen and toilet. I spoke to a manager at ‘Rockpool’ who was full of praise. The Company had moved in a month ago and can’t wait for the season to begin, so employees can follow the cricket during their work breaks. Part of the new Car Park The logistics are: Each office gains 2 car parking spaces (a car park has been constructed at the top of the former grassy knoll with a further 15 spaces for Sussex Members); and each are given 10 passes during match days. A gardener was busy planting flowers in the various outdoor landscaped areas. My overall impression: 10/10. Example of the Landscaped Outdoors As Ian said, “If only we had the space we would build more. We are delighted with how the offices have turned out.” Adding, “It’s the financial knock-on effect which is attractive too. Companies may hold parties and social gatherings at the Club; employees can celebrate their birthdays here, even get married.” Concluding, “We offer businesses a unique experience. How many can look out of their office window and see a 1st class cricket match being played or view such a large open space in the middle of Hove.”
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Post by hhsussex on Mar 30, 2016 8:23:59 GMT
Looks good, attractive and proportionate. Well done!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2016 8:47:40 GMT
Looks good, although the old codger in me regrets the passing of the WAGs ski lodge and the days when Neil Beck laid out his second-hand books in that corner.
I hadn't realised the units would be so close to the playing area. If they're meant to be offices there's not going to be much work done on match days with such a splendid view of the play, is there?
Where are the WAGs now going to sit, though?
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Post by jonboy on Mar 30, 2016 10:17:40 GMT
Looks good, although the old codger in me regrets the passing of the WAGs ski lodge and the days when Neil Beck laid out his second-hand books in that corner. I hadn't realised the units would be so close to the playing area. If they're meant to be offices there's not going to be much work done on match days with such a splendid view of the play, is there? Where are the WAGs now going to sit, though? Yes we need to know |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Apr 1, 2016 9:43:58 GMT
Beer and general ale drinkers are in for a delight in late May when The Sussex Ale Festival returns to Hove. Sponsored by 'Lookers Mercedes-Benz', the festival is back for its sixth year from Saturday 28th to Tuesday 31st May during the Championship match against Derbyshire.
A Favourite Supporter Tipple
 The event will offer more than 50 ales from a wide selection of local breweries across four days, with cricket during the day and entertainment from local artists starting at 6pm each evening. The Festival will feature ales from: • Hurst Brewery • Arundel Brewery • Harveys Brewery • Kissingate Brewery • Tits Up Brewery • Hammerpot Brewery • Petworth Brewery • Screw You Brewery • Beachy Head Brewery • Can't Take It Up 'Em Brewery • Dark Star Brewery • Turners Brewery • Pin Up Brewing • Franklins Brewery • Naked Beer • The Dogs' Knackers Brewery • Baseline Brewing • The Kiln Brewery • Balls Of Steel Brewery • Long Man Brewery • North Laine Brewery • Nosh & Gobble Brewery • Weltons Brewery If you’re entering before 4pm, you’ll need a full match ticket to enjoy the cricket and the Ale Festival, but entry after 4pm is FREE, with the evening’s entertainment commencing at 6pm with hot and cold bar snacks available throughout. Too much for some Gates open at 9:30am with play from 11am, and Sussex Ale Festival open between 11am and 10pm each day. For more information, email: 1839@sussexcricket.co.uk. |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Apr 2, 2016 12:51:49 GMT
I DO NOT BELIEEEEVE IT! My April Fool of yesterday seemingly fooled everyone who read this blog. Was it too clever or too feeble? Perhaps, people just pretend to read my blogs whilst active with something else. "Woe, woe, and thrice woe!" Do you truly believe that even though the brewery business has gone oddly left-field in recent years, they would dare to have such names as: Tits Up
Screw You
Can't Take it Up 'em
The Dogs' Knackers
Balls of Steel...And not even the gayest of breweries would dare call themselves Nosh & Gobble. Ho-hum, on to next year.  |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Apr 4, 2016 9:30:44 GMT
I bought the cricket book 'A Funny Turn' published in 1983 by former Essex player Ray East over the weekend. There are 10 original autographs on the inside cover. The top two are Ray East and I presume Graham Gooch. Who are the other eight? Who are the Essex players from the early 1980s? Any help is greatly appreciated.   |
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Post by hhsussex on Apr 4, 2016 12:34:28 GMT
I bought the cricket book 'A Funny Turn' published in 1983 by former Essex player Ray East over the weekend. There are 10 original autographs on the inside cover. The top two are Ray East and I presume Graham Gooch. Who are the other eight? Who are the Essex players from the early 1980s? Any help is greatly appreciated. I can clearly read Brian Hardie and C Gladwin, and bottom right is almost certainly Keith Pont. Below that is Phillip (Norbert), opposite Hardie,, then on the line below arching up form the left Keith Fletcher and arching down from the right another East (David). That leaves the rather flamboyant swirl between Gladwin and Pont - not sure, but could that be a JK starting it, as in JK Lever? -and the fluent but illegible signature under Gooch. Candidates for this would be Ken McEwan, Stuart Turner, David Acfield, and of course the boy Pringle. None of them look very likely. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2016 13:01:43 GMT
Not Lever but Pringle.
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Post by hhsussex on Apr 4, 2016 14:01:56 GMT
Yup, swirly but illegible fits with Pringle, man and boy  What do you make of the signature under Gooch? |
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Post by jonfilby on Apr 4, 2016 18:42:35 GMT
The signature below Gooch is Keith Fletcher.
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