My apologies for not having been in touch recently – I have been in a state of shock following the Caribou Cup victory and have only just recovered.
Progress has been made on a number of fronts over the winter months-in no particular order:
- On the field the Club has regrouped under the leadership of Head of Senior Cricket Philip Nicholson and respective First, Second and Third Team Captains Phill Bell, Peter Jones and Chris Pounder. The Juniors have wintered well and strenuous efforts have been made to recruit some more Female Players. I wish all our active cricketers well in the 2025 Campaign.
- The Squash Section is thriving and the team did the League and Cup Double. Martin Avery does a sterling job driving the Squash Section and along with David Archbold and Scott Williamson he has made a really positive contribution to the Board of Directors.
- A new General Committee was formed at the Annual General Meeting where Treasurer Larry Dawson was able to report that Club Finances remain in a reasonably strong state.
- One of the main reasons for that is the tireless work of Philip Haves in securing Sponsorship. Our main sponsors MULTICONNECT and NBMS have been wonderful partners of BHCC for a number of years now and we could not be more grateful. This should also be said of the host of other organisations and individuals that help to make BHCC a proper Community Sports facility in the West End of Newcastle.
- Visitors to the ground will have noticed the new steps onto the field that Groundsman Mark Charlton designed and built. This was a project that Phil Haves instigated and it has to be said they do look splendid. Mark has also started on a project to make use of the area at the foot of the field which will be completed in three or four phases depending upon finance.
- Socially the Quiz Season has drawn to a close – Ummagumma triumphed again and the Chairman won the flyer which will be duly invested in Match Ball Sponsorship (£30 a game – still a few left!). There will be one or two Charity Quizzes over the summer the first of which is on June 1st. Please look at the Hill Website to keep abreast of this and other events to come.
- In February ICON SPORTS became the Club`s new kit supplier– we have a three year agreement with ICON and there is a link on the Website that enables you to purchase merchandise online. Phil Haves and Bob Heslop will be modelling this gear around the Club and in the Bar over the next few weeks. It looks very smart.
- Last but by no means least the Club House now looks in great order with its new furniture and refurbishment upstairs. We are not far off our goal of future proofing the Club although the building is a bit like the Forth Road Bridge – ie never finished.
Finally my best wishes to all concerned and a huge thank you to all those who make a real contribution to OUR Club. I look forward to seeing you as I undertake my annual 10,000 laps of the Boundary in the next 6 months.
Chairman : Simon Lunn
Email : simon.lunn@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07797 683827
