Stoolball news in 2012

Everyone here at Stoolball England send their very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and successful New Year

The Minutes of the 33rd Annual General Meeting are shown below.

PRESENT:

Stoolball England Officers: Mrs. Shirley Reed (President), Mr. John Price (Chairman), Mrs. Becky Hull (Vice-Chairman), Mrs. Kay Price (Hon. Secretary), Mr. Trevor Parsons (Hon. Treasurer), Mr. Michael Ledwich (Insurance and Governance), Mrs. Ruth Arthur (Coaching Development), Mr. Kelvin Speirs (Umpires and Rules Co-ordination), Mrs. Anita Broad (Research and Education)
Vice-Presidents: Miss Gwyn Griffith and Mr. Keith Younger

Leagues, Associations and Clubs represented:
Mid Sussex Mixed League: (Mrs. Carol Browne)
Surrey Ladies Stoolball Association (SLSA): (Mr. Michael Ledwich and Miss Gwyn Griffith)
Sussex County Stoolball Association (SCSA): (Mrs. Daphne Hunt)
Central Division (SCSA): (Mrs. Elaine Berry, Mrs. Gerry Miller and Mrs. Barbara Parsons)
Mid Division (SCSA): (Mrs Joy Mans and Mrs. Janet Scott)
North Division (SCSA): (Mrs. Doris Younger, Mrs. Sybil Voller, Mrs. Carol Browne, Mrs. Gill Hemsley, Miss Marion Campbell, Mrs. Anita Broad and Mrs. Samantha Le-Lievre)
West Division (SCSA): (Mr. Fred Newland and Mrs. Rosemary Newland, Mrs. Becky Hull and Mrs. Ruth Arthur)
Sussex County Umpires Association: (Mr. Kelvin Speirs)
Wessex Friendly Group: (Mrs. Shirley Reed)

1. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the 33rd Annual General Meeting of Stoolball England and began by thanking all those people who contributed to the success of the season and particularly at the England XI v President’s XI match which took place at the end of season.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mrs. Melissa Mantle (Stoolball England Coaching Development and Chief Coaching Examiner), Mr. Rick Mason (Website Administrator), Mrs. Toni Wheatley (East Sussex Friendly Teams Co-ordinator), Mr. Richard Emsley (Membership), Mrs. Sally Booker (Stoolball Academy), Mr and Mrs Barry Bertin (Sussex County Stoolball Association), Mr. and Mrs. Edward Keates and Mrs. Anne Hardwick (West Kent Ladies Stoolball League), Mrs. Pat Wyatt (Coastal Ladies Stoolball League), Mrs. Mandy McGachie (Surrey Ladies Stoolball Association, Mr. Kevin Hilliard (West Division) and Vice-Presidents Mr. Mick Cawley and Mr. John Pritchett.

The Chairman also sent the best wishes of the meeting to Anne Hardwick (Kent), Julie Hamblin (Surrey) and Vice Chairman Mick Cawley who are currently recovering from illness.

3. MINUTES OF THE 32nd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Chairman briefly went through the Minutes of the 2011 Annual General Meeting. Acceptance of the Minutes were proposed by Michael Ledwich, seconded by Ruth Arthur and unanimously approved by the meeting.

4. MATTERS ARISING

The one matter arising from the Minutes related to the BBC TV programme “Escape to the Country” which featured a clip from a mixed game of stoolball played at the cricket ground of East Dean & Friston during 2011. Stoolball was represented by the Trojans team from the Eastbourne Red Triangle League. The programme was aired on 1 May 2012.

5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND MONTHLY SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES (copies were circulated prior to the meeting and were available at the meeting)

The Chairman’s Report, together with a summary of Stoolball England activities during the past year, had previously been circulated with the meeting Agenda to all the Affiliated leagues and associations in membership and further copies were made available at the meeting. The Chairman went through his report highlighting the most important events and emphasising the valuable contribution made by members of the Management Committee.

He thanked John Burroughs of Horsham District Council and Sport England for their help with a successful “Small Grants” funding bid. This enabled us to fund the purchase of a batting cage, bowling machine and stoolball banners; a project involving a minimum of eight community events (which due to the weather this summer has now been deferred to the 2013 season) and the England XI v President’s XI match which took place on 7 October 2012. It was particularly pleasing to see the bonding of the players in this match and he announced that it is planned to organise stoolball events for the Veterans’ event (Over 50) and U.21 event for the younger players at England level in 2013.

There were several suggestions made to giving this match more prominence earlier in the season and the possibility of playing the fixture on a Saturday, all of which will be given serious consideration.

Acceptance of the Chairman’s report was proposed by Shirley Reed, seconded by Becky Hull and was unanimously approved.

6. TREASURER’S REPORT (copy attached)

The Treasurer, Trevor Parsons, told the meeting that the Stoolball England accounts were in a very healthy state showing an increase in sales for the year which resulted in a surplus £2,724. He thanked all the equipment agents for the work they put in during the season and praised their valuable contribution because, as he pointed out, Stoolball England’s only significant source of income was through the sales of bats, balls, wickets, DVDs, the coaching manual, boundary flags, ice packs and scorebooks.

In answer to a question from Marion Campbell (North Division, SCSA) regarding the choice of charities chosen for the England match, the Chairman spoke of the number of stoolball members in the past and currently who have suffered from and are still being diagnosed with cancer, hence the choice of Cancer Research. It was decided that Help for Heroes was an appropriate choice because in 1924 Major W. W. Grantham organised a stoolball match at Lords Cricket Ground in support of the “Not-Forgotten” Association.

The Treasurer was given a vote of thanks by the meeting and acceptance of the Accounts was proposed by Gwyn Griffith, seconded by Elaine Berry and unanimously approved.

7. PRESENTATION OF PRESIDENT’S AWARD

First instigated in 2009, this annual award is made by our President, Shirley Reed, to the person who has contributed most to stoolball over a period of time. A number of worthy people were nominated this year, but Shirley decided to recognise Daphne Hunt for her outstanding contribution to stoolball both on and off the field over a very long period of time. Daphne is currently President of the Sussex County Stoolball Association and President of Mid Division (SCSA) having also served on the Mid Division committee for a many years in other roles. Following her retirement from the game, she has concentrated on the junior section at her club in Ringmer where she also umpires for the senior team.

Shirley also made an award to the Chairman and Secretary, John and Kay Price, in recognition of their contribution on many fronts over the last 12 months, but in particular for organising the big match (England XI v President’s XI).

Both Daphne Hunt and John and Kay Price expressed their sincere thanks and pleasure at receiving these awards.

8. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

President: Mrs. Shirley Reed, Proposed: Elaine Berry
Seconded: Gwyn Griffith

Chairman: Mr. John Price Proposed: Ruth Arthur
Seconded: Kelvin Speirs

Vice-Chairman: Mrs. Becky Hull

Hon. Secretary: Mrs. Kay Price

Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Trevor Parsons

Officers: Mrs. Melissa Mantle
Mrs. Toni Wheatley
Mr. Michael Ledwich
Mr. Rick Mason
Mrs. Ruth Arthur
Mr. Kelvin Speirs
Mrs. Anita Broad
Mrs. Sally Booker
Mr. Richard Emsley

Following the re-election of the Chairman, John Price, it was proposed by Gill Hemsley, seconded by Gwyn Griffith and unanimously approved by those present that the remaining Officers of the Stoolball England Management Committee should be elected en bloc.

9. ELECTION OF NEW VICE-PRESIDENT

There were no new Vice-Presidents proposed.

10. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Stoner, Cottingham of Horsham were proposed by Marion Campbell, seconded by Daphne Hunt and unanimously approved.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 12 noon

KRP/JEP/Stoolball England – 27.11.2012

The Management Committee of Stoolball England met at 53 Kings Road, Horsham, on Monday 24 September 2012 at 7.45pm. Topics discussed include drop in small grants application, National Ladies Team, governance, A.G.M, Heritage funding bid.

Minutes of Management Committee Meeting
held at 53 Kings Road, Horsham, on Monday 29 October 2012 at 7.45pm.

1. Present

• Shirley Reed (President)
• John Price (Chairman)
• Becky Hull (Vice-Chairman)
• Kay Price (Secretary)
• Trevor Parsons (Treasurer)
• Rick Mason (Website Administrator)
• Michael Ledwich (Insurance and Governance)
• Kelvin Speirs (Rules and Umpires)
• Kevin Hilliard (Club Accreditation)
• Anita Broad (Research and Education)
• Sally Booker (Schools Academy Manager)

2. Apologies for absence

• Ruth Arthur (Coaching Development)
• Richard Emsley (Membership)

3. Minutes of the last Management meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed as a true record.

4. Matters arising from the last Management meeting

Any matters arising would be discussed in later agenda items.

5. Treasurer’s report

The accounts are currently being audited and the balance sheet for the period up to the end of September 2012 will be presented at the Annual General Meeting in November.

6. Small Grants application

The final piece of equipment, the batting cage, has been collected and is ready for use with the bowling machine next year. The second element of the funding, the England XI v President’s XI match took place on 7 October. As previously reported the third element where Stoolball England will be attending a series of community of sporting events has been deferred to next season, with agreement from Sport England, because of the bad weather during this summer which caused the cancellation of a number of events.

7. National Ladies Team: Positive feedback

it was agreed that it was a good day’s stoolball played in a friendly atmosphere and everyone present felt it was an honour to be involved. The team selection process was good and provided two well-balanced teams. The lunch and teas provided for teams and guests were really good and thanks should go to Rosemary Newland and her team of helpers.

On the list of things to work on before the next series of matches were: more food was needed for spectators on the day; it was disappointing that there was not a TV or Radio station present; some aspects of the training session on 30 September needed to be more geared to stoolball; if possible, a longer game than the two 20 over innings played should be considered.

8. Governance

Following the problems reported in the papers on abuse (Jimmy Savile), drugs (Lance Armstrong and the problems in the cycling world) and Racism (John Terry and Luis Suarez), John Price spoke of the need to be alert to the problems which could occur in stoolball. He said it was important that we be beyond criticism and that any potential problems must be reported as soon as they are spotted.

9. Annual General Meeting

(a) All members present were asked if they would be standing for election at the AGM on 25 November at Wivelsfield Village Hall. It was sad to report that Kevin Hilliard has decided not to stand this year but is willing to continue to be a tutor at the Umpires’ and Scorers’ courses with Kelvin Speirs.
(b) John Price spoke to committee members about the proposed coaching academy which will start during the 2013 summer holidays at the Broadbridge Heath cricket club ground. Following on from the coaching which has been carried out by Becky Hull and Ruth Arthur over the last four years, it is important that the primary and junior school children have an exit route so that they can continue to play the game. Sally Booker, a newcomer to the Management Committee will oversee the new academy.

10. Heritage funding bid

Anita Broad explained to committee members what her funding bid involved and that she hoped to hear the outcome of her application within the next three months. She will be working with four junior schools in the Uckfield area and will also involve Uckfield Community College. She hopes to receive funding in the region of £20,000 if her bid is successful. We all wish her luck.

As a result of her application, it will become necessary to make some changes to the statements on “Aims and Objectives” and “Dissolution” in our Constitution so it is providential that this document is currently being updated. It is planned that the revised document will be presented for approval at the 2013 Annual General Meeting.

11. Website update

Rick Mason reported that he was grateful for the help provided by Richard Emsley who has been doing all the news items. He stated his ideas list is now public. He encouraged people not just to look but comment on what’s good or bad and add their own ideas. Rick has put a link to it from our About Us page.

12. Insurance

Michael Ledwich reported that this was the first year of a three year deal with Endsleigh. He stated how important it was that he was notified when a club made a claim to the insurance company and if they were successful with their claim. If a club is not successful with a claim, it may mean that the insurance cover needs to be changed.

13. Membership

Richard Emsley has recently taken over the role dealing with the leagues and associations affiliated to Stoolball England. One of his first tasks involved collecting outstanding membership fees and he reported that he had just two more to collect.

14. Courses

It is proposed to organise a Level 1 course this winter and run another Umpires’ and Scorers’ course in April 2013. Following a request by Kelvin Speirs and Kevin Hilliard, it is proposed that the number of umpires should not exceed 12-14 and 6-8 for the scorers’ course.

15. Stoolball equipment

John Price advised the meeting about a new improved ball which will be marketed in the 2013 season.

16. Pakistan

We have received a request from a Dr. Ijaz who is currently involved with Softball and Baseball but would like to introduce stoolball into his country. We have replied to him with all the information he needs to start the game and informed him how we can help him achieve this.

17. Forest School

Some GCSE level boys have been playing stoolball as an alternative to cricket at this school in Horsham and their PE teacher would now like us to provide some further help in assessing his students. We will be following this up when the boys return to school after their half-term break.

18. Any other business

(a) During the meeting Rick was contacted by a player who wished to become more involved in the game. She provided her email address and we will be contacting her following the meeting.
(b) Anita Broad told the meeting that she had taken part in a Sports Maker course run by Active Sussex. She reported that there was a list of sports that were involved with this initiative and stoolball was not on it. She would be rectifying this. She also told us that the course leader played stoolball in the Eastbourne area. She mentioned that there would be a Sussex Day on 17 June next year at the
Weald & Downland Museum at Singleton.
(c) John Price reported that he had attended a meeting in the Horsham Council Offices (on behalf of sport governing bodies) of the West Sussex Sport and Culture Board. He felt the meeting lacked general thrust but he said there was funding available for museums and enhancement of the South Downs National Park. We need to identify those stoolball clubs within the South Downs National Park area.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.05pm.

Next meeting: Annual General Meeting on Sunday 25 November in the Renshaw Room at Wivelsfield Village Hall, 11am start. Refreshments will be available from 10am.

John and Kay Price
1 November 2012

The Management Committee of Stoolball England met at 53 Kings Road, Horsham, on Monday 24 September 2012 at 7.45pm. Topics discussed include drop in small grants application, National Ladies Team, stoolball documentary DVD.

Minutes of Management Committee Meeting
held at 53 Kings Road, Horsham, on Monday 24 September 2012 at 7.45pm.

1. Present

• Shirley Reed (President)
• John Price (Chairman)
• Becky Hull (Vice-Chairman)
• Kay Price (Secretary)
• Richard Emsley (Membership)
• Ruth Arthur (Coaching Development)
• Sally Booker (Schools Academy Manager)

2. Apologies for absence

• Trevor Parsons (Treasurer)
• Rick Mason (Website Administrator)
• Michael Ledwich (Insurance
• Governance)
• Kelvin Speirs (Rules
• Umpires)
• Kevin Hilliard (Club Accreditation)
• Anita Broad (Research
• Education)

3. Minutes of the last Management meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed as a true record.

4. Matters arising from the last Management meeting

Any matters arising would be discussed in later agenda items.

5. Small Grants application

It was reported that the final item of equipment, the batting cage, will be ready for collection within the next two weeks, therefore all pieces of equipment which were outlined in this funding application will have been purchased in this financial year.

6. National Ladies Team

John Price reported that local estate agent, Henry Adams, is taking a full back page advert in the match programme and that eight articles have been written and pictures chosen to compliment the written word. Stoolball England badges have been created and a trophy in memory of our first Chairman and subsequent President, Rosemary Hobbs, will be presented to the winning captain at the end of the match.

Unfortunately the first training session on 23 September had to be cancelled due to heavy rain, but there will be a second session at Horsham on 30 September with a warm-up session, a longer session of fielding and throwing with three Horsham cricket coaches and finally everyone present will have an opportunity to display their prowess at batting, bowling and fielding in front of a panel of selectors (Mandy McGachie (Surrey), Jacquie Bowles (Coastal League and Mid Division, SCSA) and Gill Hemsley (North Division, SCSA).

Three sets of coloured training bibs with numbers have been purchased which will make it easier to identify the players; two sets of 14 shirts have been chosen plus 28 white Stoolball England sweatshirts. It was decided not to purchase skirts or skorts because of the difficulty with the sizing. The catering for match lunches and teas for both teams, officials and guests has been organised and spectators will also be able to buy refreshments during the day. The groundsman at Horsham has volunteered to mark out the pitch and boundary which is much appreciated.

7. Reports from members of the Management Committee

(a) Richard Emsley: Richard circulated a list of affiliated members plus a list of those using the Stoolball England Insurance scheme and buying equipment through Stoolball England.
(b) Anita Broad: Attended a sporting event on Telscombe Tye on Saturday 8 September but unfortunately the pitch provided was rather out of the way which was disappointing. However Anita felt that it was important to be seen and perhaps a more appropriate site will be available to showcase stoolball next year.

8. Any other business

(a) A request has been received from the local boys’ school, Forest School, to run some coaching sessions or alternatively an officiating course. We have confirmed our interest and are awaiting a response
(b) We have received copies of the stoolball documentary DVD entitled “The Great Big Stoolball Revival” which was filmed by Orville and Val Whitter and these will cost £10 each
(c) Broadbridge Heath CC are looking to improve their facilities and Stoolball England have written a letter of support for their funding bid. Sally Booker reported that the BBH stoolball club enjoyed their first season in the Chanctonbury League and received good support from their cricketers. Members of the club are intending to train during the winter months and have hired the sports hall at Southwater Leisure Centre from the beginning of October. They will have a short break over Christmas and then continue again in January. Several members would like to take a Level 1 coaching course.
(d) Shirley Reed: It was the turn of Steep Stoolball Club in Hampshire to run the Cancer Tournament this year and they raised £2,600 for McMillan Nurses.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30pm.

Next meeting: Monday 29 October at 7.45pm at 53 Kings Road Horsham.

John and Kay Price
19 October 2012

To Stoolball England Officials/Vice-Presidents/Affiliated League Representatives/ Associated Clubs in membership

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

I hereby give notice of the 33rd Annual General Meeting of Stoolball England to be held in the Renshaw Room at Wivelsfield Village Hall, Eastern Road, Wivesfield, West Sussex, RH17 7QQ on Sunday 25 November 2012 at 11am. Please notify all your League or Association members of this date. Any League, Association or Club in membership may attend this meeting, but only Stoolball England officers, Vice-Presidents and one representative from each affiliated body are entitled to vote.

Please note: The name of any member being nominated to become a Stoolball England Officer or a Vice-President should be submitted to me in writing 10 days before the meeting. Nominations will not be taken from the floor.

Refreshments will be available from 10.30am for everyone and I look forward to welcoming you to what I hope will be an informative as well as social occasion.

Please make every effort to come to the AGM. However, if for any reason you are not able to attend and cannot send a deputy, please contact me by telephone or in writing before the meeting. It is important for the wellbeing of the game that those of you who are involved in the organisation and structure of stoolball attend this meeting to express your views. I look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards

Kay

Kay Price
Hon. Secretary
Stoolball England

The Stoolball England AGM is being held on Sunday 25 November in the Renshaw Room at Wivelsfield Village Hall, 10.30 for an 11am start. Below is the Chairman’s report and a list of our major activities and achievements in 2012.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO THE 33RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
With the Queen’s Jubilee, the Olympics and Paralympics there was a sense of expectancy from everybody involved in any form of community activity, be it cultural, heritage or sporting, to do something special in 2012.

Being very old and quaint, even cute, is fine but how do we make a real impression in a sporting market place where, to a very large extend, money from whatever source rules the roost. Add to that, a very uncertain economic climate and a scene in schools where virtually all links between PE teachers and governing bodies had been severed and things were looking decidedly gloomy.

Where and how do you find help to do something really special? Again there were no easy answers queuing up to point us in the right direction.

Over the last 8-10 years, Stoolball England have worked very hard to build up sound relationships with Sport England, the Sport & Recreation Alliance, the county sports partnerships and local authorities and it was from this area that we were fortunate enough to establish a very useful and inspiring contact with our local district council in Horsham (HDC). In working with HDC in November and December 2011 and January 2012, we were encouraged to look at a Sport England funding programme which could help us to do a more professional job in promoting stoolball by –

1. Presenting the game at a minimum of 8 local and regional sporting and cultural events in England
2. Raising the pyramid of achievement in the stoolball world from county to national level, and
3. Purchasing publicity material/equipment which would promote our presence at the selected community events.

Work on the funding bid was both demanding and time consuming. Not surprisingly the turn-around time from submitting our bid in early February this year to receiving an answer was substantially in excess of our worst expectations which meant that we were not in a position to purchase the promotional equipment (bowling machine, batting cage and stoolball banners) until the season was virtually over. Add to all this we had a summer which never really got started and which caused the cancellation of more matches than we have seen in over 40 years.

With the lingering uncertainty of success with our bid, we had to tread carefully with our planning to produce a match for players operating at a national level. We had plenty to think about – a date, the venue, player nominations, selection, training, a match programme, catering, shirts, sweaters, badges, press coverage, public address and car parking – the list was considerable but gradually our plans took shape. The first of our national training days was wiped out by rain but thereafter the sun smiled on us. First we negotiated the exercise of all the nominated players getting to know each other and learning to bond to a common cause and then it was the big match day on Sunday 7 October.

Not everything was absolutely word perfect on the day but all things considered I believe we did pretty well. Certainly there is much enthusiasm to move on and to meet new challenges. It is important that our affiliated bodies work more closely together so that we can make our way up the pyramid of competition and achievement and let more people know about our game of stoolball. I find all this exciting, stimulating and challenging and I am encouraged by the enthusiasm demonstrated by so many people in the stoolball world to make this happen.

We have made an encouraging start but now we must start planning to provide these same opportunities for our over 50’s (veterans) and U.21’s (youth players) for not only the ladies game but for our mixed teams. This is a big and exciting challenge which everybody reading this message can be part of. Are you willing to step forward and say “yes I will help”.

John Price – November 2012

MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2012

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
Following the 2011 Annual General Meeting and with support and encouragement from Sport England and Horsham District Council, it was decided to work on a “Small Grants” funding bid which, if successful, would provide promotional equipment which could be used during the summer months. After three months working on the application with the valuable help of Horsham District Council, we were finally notified of the success of the bid during July. Prior to submitting the application we had nothing to publicise our sport when we went to community sporting events and the addition of a bowling machine, a batting cage plus some “tear drop” stoolball banners would be valuable assets for not only these occasions but also for early season training sessions for teams and countries who would like to use the equipment.

MARCH
Continuing our policy of meeting up with our affiliated bodies, this time Eastbourne Red Triangle (ERT) arranged to meet up- with us at The Treacle Mine, just outside Polegate in East Sussex. John Price, Trevor Parsons, Richard Emsley and Kay Price met ERT members Dave Parks, League Secretary Cindy Cavie and Rachael Pantenay and a number of issues were raised and areas where help could be provided were discussed. Although the ladies game is of longer standing, the mixed game is equally recognised as an important part of the game.

MARCH/APRIL
Stoolball England were very unlucky that the Level One coaching course which was planned to take place during March had to be cancelled, but it is hoped to run similar courses this winter. On 15 April at Plumpton Cricket Club in East Sussex, we ran another combined umpires’ and scorers’ course with tutors Kelvin Speirs and Kevin Hilliard. These were well attended although the cold weather spoiled the middle part of the course which was conducted outside and had to be curtailed.

Stoolball England coaches, Anita Broad, John and Kay Price were invited to run a stoolball coaching session at Etchingham Primary School in East Sussex. They were confronted by very wet weather that dogged stoolball all through the summer, but although confined to a rather narrow indoor area to run the session, it proved perfectly adequate and they were able to teach the children the basics of the game. A photo of this occasion was also featured in our match programme on 7 October.

MAY
As a sequel to the fantastic filming of stoolball in BBC One’s “Countryfile” in 2011, the game was again featured on 1 May in the BBC Two programme “Escape to the Country” which was filmed the previous year at East Dean & Friston Cricket Club, close to Birling Gap and Beachy Head in Eastbourne. The stoolball was played buy the Trojans mixed team from the Eastbourne Red Triangle where players and umpires were a credit to the game.

Stoolball England personnel, Shirley Reed and John and Kay Price, attended an inaugural sports festival at Winchester, where many members of the public took part in stoolball taster sessions. They also met a number of local councillors who were keen to thank them for coming to their event and received an unexpected invitation to attend a similar sporting event at Cheltenham at the end of June.

The following week, Stoolball England coaches were invited to King Offa School in Bexhill in East Sussex to run coaching sessions for Year 5 children and the following week similar sessions for Year 6 children. These were very much enjoyed by all involved.

Shirley Reed and Jackie Greetham from Steep Stoolball Club in Hampshire ran taster sessions for three classes of boys and girls and one session for boys only at Amery Hill School in Alton. It was hard work but very satisfying and rewarding.

JUNE
In the Sussex Schools Year 7/8 Championships which were played on 9 June at Plumpton Cricket Club, the winners were Ringmer Community College and a picture of their successful team appeared in the England XI v President’s XI match programme recently.

On 13 June, the Mid Sussex Year 9/10 qualifying event took place at Downlands School, Hassocks and Stoolball England was asked to help with the organisation.

Stoolball England (Trevor Parsons, Rick Mason, John and Kay Price) took part in two further sporting events at the end of June, firstly TAKEPART in Preston Park, Brighton where they were kept very busy with providing stoolball sessions for members of the public of all ages.

Following the sports festival in Winchester, John and Kay Price were invited to Harestock Junior School (just outside Winchester) where they were greeted by some very enthusiastic teachers and some even more enthusiastic children – all four classes of them. In a non-stop coaching session lasting nearly four hours on the hottest day of the year, it was very rewarding to work with the staff and children from Harestock.

The next Saturday with a 6am start, Trevor Parsons and John and Kay Price made their way to Cheltenham in Gloucester for a new community event involving stoolball. They were very impressed with the set up on the site and although the weather threatened on several occasions, they had a very enjoyable day. John Price was interviewed by a reporter from the local radio station and they were kept very busy dealing with enquiries about stoolball from all sectors of the public, both young and old. One volunteer, designated to help Stoolball England, proved a most effective and enthusiastic recruiter for the game of stoolball. For the first time ever, we had a fully dressed up mascot who tried his luck at batting.
JULY
Following the loss of a number of personnel who helped us to promote the game of stoolball in schools, we were very fortunate that stoolball was one of the sports chosen to be part of the Sussex School Games on 3 July at the K2 Sports/Leisure Centre in Crawley. We were very fortunate to work with Lorraine Everard, one of the School Games Organisers, in the organisation of the Year 9/10 event and although it was too wet on the day for stoolball to be played, Lorraine organised an alternative venue for us on the astro area at St. Paul’s Catholic School in Burgess Hill, where Uplands School from Wadhurst were the well-deserved winners.

Bad weather seemed to follow us around all summer and it was very sad when we were obliged to cancel the very popular Horsham Primary Schools Festival which is held annually at Horsham Cricket Club in July. This event follows a series of coaching sessions which are held in local schools in the Horsham area. This year Becky Hull and Ruth Arthur coached children from St. Mary’s School, All Saints School, Warnham, Southwater, Slinfold and Shelley School at Broadbridge Heath. Two more community sporting events which had to be cancelled on consecutive days in July were the Whitely Parish Council “Fun Day” in Hampshire followed by the Horsham District Council’s “Sparks in the Park” in West Sussex. All in all, the weather created havoc with events all over the country this summer.

AUGUST
This year Stoolball England volunteered to work with Wealden District Council in East Sussex in their “Active Days” events which took place at five difference locations on consecutive Wednesdays – Polegate (in July), Crowborough, Hailsham, Heathfield and Uckfield. This was very much an experimental engagement and although the majority of children were quite young and mostly under the age of 11, we did make some very useful contacts. This included a local councillor at Crowborough who is eager to restart the Crowborough Ladies Stoolball Club. He has also given us a contact name and number with a view to starting up indoor stoolball in this area. Stoolball England will be following up this lead.

During August, members of Steep Stoolball Club provided a demonstration of stoolball at a Mediaeval Games event at the Gilbert White Museum in Selborne, Hants.

SEPTEMBER
Errol and Val Whitter from i54newmedia re3leased their DVDE in early September entitled “The Great Bid Stoolball Revival”. Everyone has been waiting to see this DVDE and no doubt these will make great Christmas presents at only £10. As you will already know Val and Errol have filmed practically all aspects of the game in compiling this DVD from schools, ladies and mixed matches to bat manufacture, coaching courses, indoor stoolball and a visit to Sport England to interview Lisa O’Keefe, the national sports director.

On 8 September, Anita Broad represented stoolball at a Heritage event at Telscombe Tye, on the Sussex coast between Peacehaven and Saltdean. Unfortunately, the pitch planned for stoolball was rather off the beaten track, but if Stoolball England is invited to attend again next year, we will ask for a more popular area.

Stoolball England had planned two national training days for the end of September, but the first was washed out by torrential rain. However they were able to hold the second training day and made a start at getting to know the players who had been nominated for possible selection.

Following an earlier request for help to set up stoolball as an alternative to cricket in their GCSE course at a local boys school in May this year, Stoolball England have now been approached to run an officiating course and some form of technique based sessions for these students. This would allow them to be assessed in this as part of their GCSE course.

Pakistan calling: For the second time in the last four years, Stoolball England has had an enquiry from a Dr. Ijaz on how we might be able to help him set up stoolball in his country. His current area of expertise is in running Softball and Baseball which of course have many similarities to our game. We have advised him about all aspects of our equipment and the various coaching tools that are available which could help him.

OCTOBER
Sunday 7 October 2012 proved to be the shining light in our season for 2012, it was a marvelous day – see Chairman’s report.

John and Kay Price
October 2012

AN ENGLAND XI v PRESIDENT’S XI
at Horsham Cricket & Sports Club on Sunday 7 October 2012

Beautiful sunshine and a clear blue sky greeted players and spectators as they turned out in considerable numbers to witness this historic stoolball match played on the lush green cricket field at Horsham on Sunday 7 October.

One can fairly cite this as an historic match because never before in the 500 year history of the game of stoolball have teams played in a match at national level.

Players selected for this ground breaking match had been nominated by their leagues and counties (Kent, Surrey and Sussex) and had attended a rigorous training programme the previous week watched by a panel of England selectors. Two training weekends had been planned originally but torrential rain had washed out the first of the two sessions.

Further warm-up and fielding sessions preceded a photo session where the two teams wearing their England red and white and President’s navy and white kits were lined up for the cameras.

In a match consisting of two innings for each team of 20 overs, the President’s XI batted first and finished with a score of 127 for 5 wickets with local Horsham girl Gill Hilliard scoring 58 and Emma Stanton from Bidborough in Kent scoring a very steady 26 in a second wicket partnership of 71 runs. Sue Targett the England captain who plays for Horsham took 2 wickets for 15 while Adele McPhee from Lindfield weighed in with 3 for 13.

In reply the England team scored 154 for 5 wickets and with the sun starting to warm up the outfield, Sandra Gorringe (Stone Cross near Eastbourne) with 48 and Lucy Order (Fordcombe, Kent) whose 61 included a six and 3 fours, put on a splendid 109 for the fourth wicket. Emma Stanton (2 for 38) and Kim Smith (2 for 48) both from Kent took the wickets.

After a 40 minute break for lunch, the President’s XI were back in action for their second innings where skipper Toni Wheatley (Burwash) 31, Emma Stanton (23) and Sarah Hanham (Fletching) 46 not out took them to a total of 147 and a lead of 120 over the England team. This time it was captain Sue Targett with 2 for 27, together with Julia Grout (Alfold and Surrey) (2 for 25) who claimed the wickets.

Batting for the last time, England started slowly scoring only 38 off the first 8 overs. In this spell, pace-ace Amanda Curry (Winterfold Stoolball Club near the Surrey border) didn’t concede a single run off her first 2 overs and only one run from the bat in her last two overs – an excellent achievement which included the wicket of Sandra Gorringe (36 runs). In a doggedly determined mood, Sue Targett steadily built up the scoring rate as she scored an excellent 58 not out to take England to victory in the penultimate over of the match.

A carved match trophy produced by Cyril Roffe from Billingshurst was presented to the winners by Stoolball England President Shirley Reed, while all the players and officials received a commemorative Stoolball England badge.

As a result of the raffle and sale of match programmes, £350 will be sent to both Cancer Research and Help for Heroes funds.

Summary scoreboard
President’s XI (first innings): 127 for 5 (Gill Hilliard 58, Emma Stanton 26; Sue Targett 2-15, Adele McPhee 3-13)
Second innings: 147 for 7 (Toni Wheatley 31, Emma Stanton 23, Sarah Hanham 46; Sue Targett 2-27, Lucy Order 1-21, Julia Grout 2-25, Adele McPhee 1-40, Nicky Tuppen 1-27)

England (first innings): 154-5 (Lucy Order 61, Sandra Gorringe 48; Kim Smith 2-48, Emma Stanton 2-38)
Second innings: 125-3 (Sue Targett 58 no, Sandra Gorringe 29; Amanda Curry 1-8, Sarah Hanham 2-21).

The England XI won by seven wickets.

John Price.

On Sunday morning Kay and I didn’t sleep very well, awake at 2am and then again at 5am the tension was reaching a crescendo. Finally it got to 7.30am and there is frost on the windscreen, a very heavy dew on the ground and a light misty haze hanging near the hedges. It is the big match day and most important of all, after a week of ever changing forecasts about the weather, the sun is shining. Our prayers have been answered. We offer a silent “thank you” as we start unloading the cars at the cricket club – the wickets, the public address system, the bats and balls for the fielding warm-up, the boards with the stoolball pictures, the bunting, the flags, the raffle prizes and tickets, the cameras, the CD’s for the pre-match music, the player’s shirts, the first aid kit, the list is endless – oh! don’t forget the stoolball banners.

While we work getting everything in place outside, Rosemary, Daphne, Fred, Colin, Sarah and Jasmine are beavering away in the kitchen, laying –up the tables, preparing food and making the teas and coffees. Of course there are hitches – the record player won’t work so we can’t get any music – panic stations – but don’t worry Nathan soon sorts it out and we are on our way again. Phew!!

Meanwhile the groundsman Lawrence is out with the tractor and Richard Marshall is holding the rope as they go round the field swiping away the heavy dew. It’s all done in 5 minutes. So now it’s up with the wickets and Nathan bangs in the pins. Next let’s get the boundary flags out – that’s better, it is really beginning to look the business now. The time is 8.15am and we are on target.

Richard Emsley gets his excellent direction signs put out on the main road and then it’s inside with the Help for Heroes and Cancer Research notices and the signs for the toilets etc. Trevor Parsons gets the flag of St. George hoisted up the mast and although there’s no wind about to make it flutter, there is nothing we can do about that. We must press on with the bunting, taking care to go round the flower baskets. All done now and it looks good.

We put out the scoreboards so that everybody can see what is happening and then a miracle happens. “Why don’t you use the big electronic scoreboard” comes the offer from Richard M from the cricket club. “That’s very kind of you but we don’t know how it works”. “It’s simple” says Richard M as Richard Emsley volunteers to learn the ropes. Wow – we have really arrived – a county cricket ground to play on AND the use of their electronic scoreboard, it doesn’t get much better – this really is going to be a great day!

We check the changing rooms and toilets for everything that may be needed – all are OK. We are starting to lose the terrible tension that has been gripping us for the last three weeks.
The players are starting to arrive. We show them to their changing rooms. Katie Warman our fitness trainer turns up. We have a quick briefing on timings with Sue and Toni, the captains. Mandy is given the bats and balls for the fielding warm-up. “Remember I want you back in the changing rooms by 10.30am.” Then it is the team photos.

Only 30 minutes to go to start time. Get out the CD with the National Anthem, check out the balls for the match, the scorebooks for the scorers and make sure that the umpires are ready to go. Everything’s fine – BUT no CD for the National Anthem, it has disappeared – nothing we can do about it now.

They are out for the photos now – first the England team and then the President’s XI with them. They look good, crisp and smart and a great tribute and advertisement for stoolball and themselves. Now we add on the umpires, the selectors, the scorers and fitness trainer and our President, Shirley Reed – what a beautiful hat – she looks gorgeous. Everybody has got a camera and they are all clicking away. So this is what being a celebrity is all about.

Now Sue and Toni toss the coin. “We’ll field” says Sue and so it’s the President’s XI batting first. I go back to the microphone and ask everybody to “give a big hand for Toni Wheatley from Burwash and the East Division and Gill Hilliard from Angmering and West Division, both are from the Sussex County Stoolball Association. Sue Targett will be bowling first.” Kelvin Speirs raises his hand to the scorers – they are ready – the first ball is a dot ball and we are on our way.

I close my eyes – we’ve made it – thank you to everyone who has helped us get there.

THANK YOU

Yesterday’s game at Horsham Cricket Club would never have been possible without the tremendous help, enthusiasm and encouragement given to Stoolball England to stage this historic match.

Our sincere thanks go to everybody who contributed to such a marvellous day. Shamelessly we name, in no particular order all our helpers.

Shirley and Barry Reed, Stoolball England President and her husband
Rosemary and Fred Newland, Daphne and Colin West, Sarah and Jasmine Rushin, our caterers supreme
Katie Warman and Mark Sillett, our fitness trainers
Kelvin Speirs, Brian Robinson, Sally Booker and Kevin Hilliard, match officials
Mandy McGachie (Surrey), Jacquie Bowles (Coastal and Mid Division, Stoolball Club (SC) (Stoolball Club)SA) and Gill Hemsley (North Division, SCSA), our panel of selectors
Lorraine, Polly and Claire in the Horsham Sports Club office
Barry Peay, David Horsman, Richard Marshall, Marcus Haggar, Lawrence Gosling from Horsham Cricket Club
Nathan Booker and Trevor Parsons, Becky Hull, Anita Broad and Richard Emsley from Stoolball England
John Burroughs, Horsham Leisure Link and Horsham District Council
John Whitehouse and Sam Attfield, Cool Cricket
David Gray, Gray-Nicolls
Tony Cook, Hunts County Bats
Paul Cartwright, Premier Sport and Leisure
Peter Bedford, Bedford Sports
James Rufey, Bola Bowling Machines
Sam Reed, Global Sports
Emma and Steve Stanton, Fox Print Services
Val and Errol Whitter, i54newmedia
Cyril Roffe, trophy wood carver from Billingshurst
Lisa O’Keefe, Sports Director, Sport England
Sallie Barker, Senior Administrator, Sport & Recreation Alliance
Sally Harper, Active Sussex
Jonathan Taylor and Christie Reeves, printing advisers
Sue Targett and Toni Wheatley, team captains
Everyone who contributed so generously with raffle prizes from Hampshire, Surrey, Kent and Sussex
All the players who participated in the match itself and the spectators who greatly contributed to the tone of the day
Finally, the weather forecasters who got it right for us on the day and one last thought don’t forget to oil your bats during the winter.