2021
Archive - News 2021
Scroll down for the latest club news across all sections...
Christmas Message from The Rugby Section
24th December 21
After such a terrible two years for competetive sport it is no surprise that many rugby players in the community game have struggled to come back to the sport. Availability has been patchy and it remains an ongoing struggle to get two full competetive teams onto the field. Many clubs are in the same position as us and it is sad to see our great game struggling.
My grateful thanks go out to our captains and coaches, especially to Martin Sharkey who has continued to work so hard on behalf of the club to get players and teams out. I hope all players, coaches and volunteers and your families have a great and happy Christmas and wish you all a happy and healthy New year.
Get yourselves rested and repaired and let's get back to rugby when we are able to safely do so.
Steve Barnett
Chairman
Oxton Parkonians Rugby Club
Boxing Day
11th December 21
Due to the increasing Covid infections being reported The Directors of OPAL have regretfully decided that this year's Boxing day game and event will be cancelled.
It is hoped we can rearrange the game for February 26th when have a free weekend with no games. We hope this will also incorporate a social "players day".
England v Wales in the Six Nations will be televised so it will be a fantastic opportunity to get together.
Further details will be posted closer to the date. I trust you all appreciate this difficult decision has been made with the best interests of all members and staff in mind.
Ken Cooke
On behalf of the Club Directors
Past Players Reunion
27th November 21
A decision was made last night at Rugby Committee to move the date of the Annual Past Players Reunion Day from Saturday 4th December to the new date of SATURDAY 26th FEBRUARY.
On the new date, at the moment, there are no games scheduled at the club. However, it is a big 6 Nations day including ENGLAND v WALES
at 4.45pm.
We hope for a great day and something to look forward to in the New Year. Please spread the word about the postponement and the new date. Further details nearer the time.
Take care everyone.
Richie Beckett
President
1st XV v Prenton
31st October 21
After having experienced some strange results in recent weeks it was great to get back on track on Saturday. Two full teams with good availability and players returning from injury, it was good to see.
A large crowd of mixed Parkonians and Prenton supporters shouting on their teams in a very close fought 11 try contest at Holm Lane. The game was played in a good spirit with Parkonians emerging as winners 36-32. Our second team away at Prenton were less successful but still enjoyed their game despite letting the score get away from them in the second half.
We were pleased to be able to start the day with a Presidents Lunch hosted by Richie Beckett with invited guests from Prenton and some of our own club volunteers past and present enjoying a pre match meal and drink. As an additional bonus we welcomed the Cheshire RFU President, Colin Free as a visitor to the lunch and game.
The post match atmosphere in the clubhouse was great with some members of Prenton staying on to socialise. It is important that we keep up momentum from days like these and ensure we support the captains and coaches in getting teams out. Well done to everyone involved in a good rugby day.
Regards,
Steve Barnett
Chairman of Rugby
Completed Club Jobs 20/21
20th October 21
We have compiled a list of completed jobs over the past year. You can click here
to see the document.
Dave Westwater
Rugby Match Report - Mossley Hill
19th September
After some difficulties last week we were really keen to get two teams on the field this week. Thanks to players making themselves available we were able to name two competetive teams, only for Mossley Hill to be unable to field a 2nd team. After much work to secure opposition, Prenton offered a game so we managed to get rugby on for both teams.
I watched our first team with a large crowd at a sunny and expectant Holm Lane. The first half started off with a number of Parkonian transgressions, penalised rightly by referee Gary Williams, which frustrated our players. Eventually adjusting to the pace and playing to our strengths we opened the scoring with slick handling and Eric Nixon powering over for an unconverted try in the corner. This was followed by an equalising try from Mossley Hill after more territory was lost through penalties from their very effective jackling when we failed to secure ruck ball. This seemed to wake us up to realise we were in a competetive game and resulted in some excellently hard tackling from Harry, Alan and Terry, in particular. In reality everybody stepped up as needed and further pressure resulted in the first of Andy Smith's two tries which was converted resulting in a 12-5 lead that we held to half time, despite a lot of pressure from Mossley Hill.
The second half was much more open with some flowing rugby and a dominant pack scrumming very well. There were further tries for Andy Smith, Liam Evans who drove over the line carrying several defenders with him, and Tom Williams, who scored his first try for the 1st team and in front of his mum who enjoyed it as much as he did. Tom had one of his best games disrupting what little ball Mossley Hill managed to secure from scrum and lineout as well as linking well with the backs. Perhaps the most cherished score came from Craig Whelan at age 41 who after making lots of runs and linking well picked his gap and sprinted in from 30 metres, determined that he wasn't going to be caught. All 4 second half tries converted by Jay Barham who made a difference when he moved to stand off.
In between our tries Mossley Hill managed to score two converted tries against the run of play but Parkonians always had control and the end result of 40-19 was very satisfying and a fair reflection of the game.
Well done to all players and coaches for a great win, let's get the job done again next week at Newton-le-Willows and remember training on Wednesday evening as usual.
Steve Barnett
Chairman of Rugby
Boundary Rope Acquired
18th September 21
The cricket club are pleased to announce the acquisition of a boundary rope and winder trolley which will be in use from the commencement of the 2022 season. The rope winder trolley has been sponsored by Dave and Joyce Westwater.
Many thanks Dave and Joyce for your very kind generosity; it is so much appreciated!
This is yet another progressive step in the development of our brilliant cricket club!
Richie Beckett
Chairman and President
Old Parkonians CC
AGM Constituent Section Reports
16th September 21
The AGM of The Association was held at The Clubhouse on Tuesday 14th September. Below are the reports from the constituent sections.
Cricket
We have had an incredibly successful season both on and off the field. The 1st XI narrowly missed out on promotion on the last weekend of the season however the 2nd XI managed to complete an unbelievable season finishing unbeaten and promoted. Special mention to John Orr for leading the 2nd XI to this fantastic achievement.
We had a full season of Sunday fixtures as well as Midweek fixtures, the majority of these being at Holm Lane. Captains Tim and Dan Berkson did very well at their first taste of captaincy and both teams won the vast majority of their games.
The Junior Section took further strides in the right direction by attracting more young cricketers to the club. We had in excess of 50 children participate during the summer programme and it is our hope that we can progress this further next season by entering multiple age groups into the Wirral League. Well done to Adam Westwater for coordinating the Junior Section as well as our volunteer coaches for their ongoing commitment. The ECB, as a reward for our efforts, handed us a £1000 grant to spend solely on developing our Junior Section.
In August we held our regular Sixes Day in memory of Steve Fletcher and managed to raise over £500 for the club which was a phenomenal effort from all involved.
The Cricket Section would like to thank OPAL for their support again this year, especially with allowing the purchase of several new items to help improve our pitches and grounds further. Thanks as always to our incredible ground team who help attract regular positive comments from visiting teams and officials.
We are very aspirational for next season and further into the future. Included in our long list of plans is to hopefully introduce a ladies softball team for 2022 which will help attract support further from The ECB.
Chris Beckett
Club Captain
Rugby
The past two seasons have without doubt been the most challenging for every junior rugby club in the land with no competitive games having been played since the first Covid-19 lockdown began last spring. It seems to have hit us particularly badly not from a financial perspective, although that has suffered, but with player engagement.
As we get close to a return to some degree of normality and with games starting in early September the number of players attending training has reduced rather than grown and the communication from players seems to be a struggle, particularly when trying to assess availability for training and selection for this upcoming season.
After losing the end of the last but one season and then having last season effectively cancelled because of the covid-19 lockdown we had hoped to be able to relaunch ourselves into the very competitive local NWIL structure with two teams ready to go but that remains in doubt.
I want to record my thanks to both of our captains Joe Coupe (and in his absence Danny Blythe) and Martyn Sharkey and our coaches Mark and Peter Hillan, who have now been joined by Ryan Evans and Liam Evans. Between them they have resolutely striven to get players ready by running regular training sessions once we were allowed by Covid Restrictions. As we look ahead, having made the decision to migrate from the RFU leagues into a relevant league within the NWIL offering regular games with reduced travel we hoped to see a greater commitment to playing and training.
Please as a final reminder let the captains and coaches know your availability and don’t assume they know if you are or are not available. It is much easier for you to make one phone call or send one message than to have them chasing 30 or 40 players. In this way we can be ready when the new season starts and hopefully enjoy a successful and fun season.
The ongoing success of the junior rugby club section is very pleasing to see and it is important that volunteers are encouraged to keep all of the roles going and enable the playing sections to thrive. My thanks go to all the individuals of the Junior Rugby Club Especially Chairman, Mark Hillan, and all of his committee as well as to the dedication of all coaches and volunteers at every age group.
As always it has been my pleasure to chair the Rugby Committee and in that I would like to record my thanks to all of those committee members for their support through another difficult year. Our grounds continue to be kept in wonderful condition by the volunteer team to whom we remain very grateful and new volunteers able to offer a few hours effort will be made most welcome. There remain plans in hand to carry out major drainage works when funding and time allows to try to overcome particular issues with water retention.
We are faced with perhaps the biggest challenge in our history to maintain our ability to continue playing two teams in adult rugby. We need a greater commitment from all current players as well as a massive effort to retain and recruit both current and future players. This is an important role for all of us, don’t assume somebody else is doing it we need every individual to talk to current, past and prospective club playing members to ensure we retain those players we have and don’t miss out on the opportunity to secure/welcome new players from any source.
Good luck to all of you for the upcoming season, let us all strive to make it a success.
Stephen Barnett
Chairman of Rugby
RIP Ted Keaney
1st September 21
How sad it is to report the passing of Ted Keaney. A real club stalwart, character and all round top man.
Many years ago he arrived at the club with a very young grandson, Will Walker to enrol him into the junior cricket section and not to be outdone, Ted joined the ground volunteers.
For his efforts over a long period, he was awarded an Honorary Life Membership, after which he promised us all that when he was 80 he would get out of our hair and retire. Never happened of course and he continued to keep the clubhouse surrounds in great order.
His efforts over many years are why the grounds (fields in Ted’s words) are so magnificent today.
Proud of his life as a post/telegram boy, army life and a career in metal assaying. Even prouder of his grandchildren (sorry Gill, Pam, Netty) with Will, Charlie, Miles and James playing at the club.
‘Dapper Ted’, a great friend to all, no greater legacy.
Dave Westwater
Ted's funeral
will be held at Landican on Monday 13th September at 3pm then back to the club afterwards. ted's daughters have requested that people please wear bright clothes.
Rugby 2021/22
8th August 21
At long last after one of the most difficult periods for our sport, we have the opportunity to relaunch our rugby club. The start of the new 2021/22 season is now upon us with our first game being the Cheshire Plate away when our first team take on Wallasey on Saturday 14th August. The NWIL league season then kicks off for all teams at the beginning of September.
The league programmes for first and second teams are being added to the website and it is now vital that all players let their captains and coaches know what their plans are and what your availability will be through the season. Training is vital and still takes place every week on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. After such a long lay off it is important that players take advantage of the training sessions to ensure they are physically ready for the restart of Rugby.
Regards,
Steve Barnett
Chairman of Rugby
Richie's Mid-Season Cricket Review
30th June 21
It is hard to believe that June has come and gone and that half the season is done already. And what a half season it has been!! Currently it sees the 1st XI joint top
of the Cheshire Cricket League Division 3 with the 2nd XI still unbeaten
in Division D West. The Sunday and Midweek XIs have honoured all their fixtures winning the vast majority of them too!! Massive congratulations
to the respective captains (Chris Beckett, John Orr, Tim Berkson and Dan Berkson) and of course to all playing members.
Obviously there is, thankfully, plenty of cricket remaining in the season to be enjoyed and competed for. We will need good player availability, as well as performances, if the 1st XI are to press for promotion and for the 2nd XI to continue their unbeaten run.
There have been plenty of fantastic individual performances
but I don't want or need to report upon them here thanks to Jonny Beaver's excellent weekly round ups on the Facebook group. Of course, it is not just down to individual performances that lead to success, it is also down to team effort/spirit! Keep the reports coming Jonny we all love them!! Massive thanks must, as always, go to our Tuesday and Friday ground team of Steve Kearney, Dave Westwater,Steve Williams, Ken Cooke and Steve Stansfield
along with others. Chris Beckett continues to work so hard on the square and pitch preparation along with so much more too!! Our grounds look so good and is often commented upon by visiting teams and umpires. We would not have a cricket club without our hard working volunteers. We are also indebted to our umpires and scorers especially Sam, Terry and myself never forgetting the panel umpires too. Also Tony Berkson is back playing (good luck with the injury) and umpired all of one game , on his own, versus Liverpool Superkings.
The junior cricket season has gone very well, as it draws to a close, with so many boys and girls enjoying themselves in the All Stars, Dynamos and Under 9 groups. This augurs so well for the future and I think I might have spotted some future 1st XI players!! Massive thanks must go to Adam Westwater,Paul Singer, Sam Fletcher, Greg Lindop and Tim Berkson
for all their commitment and hard work; hope I haven't missed anyone out.
So there it is quite a brief update for me thanks to Jonny's excellent weekly reviews! Let's all keep enjoying our great game whilst striving for further success ensuring that we play in the true 'Spirit Of Cricket'.
Hoping that we continue to get back to normality and that we will be able to socialise a little more freely in the weeks and months ahead.
Stay safe everyone and thanks to you all including all our non playing supporters.
Richie Beckett
Chairman and President
Old Parkonians CC
Richie's Cricket Update
12th May 21
Well where does one begin? Firstly by saying what a fabulous start to the season
for the Old Parks it has been all round!! After four league matches the 1st XI top their division and the 2nd XI lie in second place in theirs. Of the 16 completed games we have won 13 of them!
We have three centurions already in Adam Westwater
(2nd XI), Dan Berkson (1st XI) and Tim Berkson (Sunday XI). It should have been four with Mark Nelson
(2nd XI) being left stranded on 99* by the aforementioned Mr Westwater who hit a six to win the game; how considerate.
We are delighted to have welcomed Awais Khan and Ed Nelson
to the club and they seem to be really enjoying their cricket with us. In addition we have retained all our excellent recruits from last season. There is a real buzz and enthusiasm both on and off the field; we should be ambitious about our future development
as a cricket club but much hard work in many ways will be required if we are to progress up the Cheshire Cricket pyramid. We must always remember we are representing our great club and ensure that we play hard, yes, but fairly too never forgetting 'The Spirit Of Cricket'. Fantastic to be running four adult teams; two league teams, Sunday Development and a Midweek team.
I really do want to highlight our great 1st XI T20 cup win at Irby
on a freezing cold Thursday evening. We batted first and were soon 2-2 but thanks to Nick Hitchell (51) and Greg Lindop (45) we ended up 130-5. We then dismissed our hosts for just 33 thanks to skilful bowling from all our bowlers but special mention to young Sam Thomas who was simply awesome. This week saw junior cricket commence
both for Dynamos/Under 9's and All Stars (5-8 year olds). All of this is possible due to the hard work and commitment of our Junior Cricket Co-Ordinator, Adam Westwater.
I am delighted to have welcomed Sam Fletcher, Steve Murphy and Jonny Beaver to the cricket committee. I know they will be bringing enthusiasm and ideas to our meetings whether formally or informally. I would like to stress if anyone is interested in joining the committee
or even just sharing ideas they may have in taking the club forward please let me know!
Lastly let's maintain our tremendous start and hope the weather warms up and the sun shines and that we can look forward to the lifting of Covid restrictions in the coming weeks . Well done all, never forgetting our amazing grounds team.
Richie Beckett
Chairman and President
Old Parkonians CC
Cricket is back!
14th April 21
A very warm welcome to what we hope will be a full season of cricket blessed with some gorgeous weather and memories. We are going to have to still play, at least for several weeks, under Covid restrictions but we more than coped last year! Just remember we must follow all the rules and regs for now. What a wonderful half season of 2020 cricket we had
recruiting so many new faces; all of whom have stayed with us. All three teams were exceptionally competitive and many more games were won than lost. I fully expect us to continue in this vein this season. We have again attracted new players, Awais Khan and Ed Nelson, a very warm welcome to each of you. I am sure you will enjoy your time with us both on and off the field.
We have a full programme of league fixtures
for both our Saturday teams and the 1st XI will also compete in the league's T20 midweek competition. There are Sunday friendlies, aplenty, building on last season's success in reforming the team. This season there are also several T20 midweek friendlies
mostly at Holm Lane. Many thanks to Chris Beckett, Club captain in arranging these fixtures. So there are plenty of games for all abilities and ages. All fixtures can be seen on the club's website and Facebook page. The 1st and 2nd XIs continue to play in the UKFast Cheshire Cricket League; the 1sts being in Division 3 and the 2nds in Division D West. All league fixtures, results, scorecards and tables can be accessed through the clubs's Play-Cricket site.
At junior level we will be running All Stars(5-8 year olds), Dynamos(8-11 year olds) as well as an Under 9 team
who will compete in the Wirral Junior Cricket League. Junior cricket is open to both boys and girls and full details appear on the Old Parkonians CC Junior Section Facebook page. Many thanks to Adam Westwater our junior cricket co-ordinator for setting all of this up; he is always on the lookout for volunteers!!
I would like to thank Stew McEwen who has stood down as cricket club chairman after 10 years of dedicated service
to the club. I shall try my best to follow in his footsteps!! However, I am delighted that Stew is staying on the committee as treasurer and bonus ball manager. Massive thanks to all members of our ground team
who have worked so hard to set everything up for the new season and I know that they will continue with their work throughout the coming months.
In conclusion I wish you all a fantastic and memorable Old Parkonian CC season
whether a player or a non player. Play it hard but play it fair and most importantly enjoy yourselves both on and off the field! I look forward to seeing everyone very soon indeed.
Richie Beckett
Chairman and President
Old Parkonians CC
Ground Update
30th March 21
We may have had to endure the majority of the past year in lockdown, but that hasn’t prevented our busy ground team from providing essential maintenance and fantastic improvements
around our club and grounds. Unseen by most who use the club, on both a playing and non-playing basis, ground repair and maintenance goes on 12 months of the year.
Led by our (now former) head groundsman Dave Westwater, the team have worked on Tuesday and Friday mornings to make sure that we have always been ready to resume sport activity once lockdown ends. Just some of the many jobs they have completed (see pictures below) include;
- Installation of new grounds container
- Design and creation of a ‘nature trail’ behind the grounds containers
- Erection of the new flagpole at the top of the driveway
- Building and installation of steps on the embankment adjacent to 1st XV rugby pitch
- Installation of weather vane
- Clearing of old clubhouse/tractor shed site
- Repairs and improvements to the children's playground
- Upgrade to the handrail at clubhouse entrance
- Planting of a variety flowers around the club grounds
- Addition on new benching on decking
We are indebted to all of the team who volunteer their own time, come rain or shine, to make sure our club always looks in amazing condition. So, a big thank you to ground team regulars; Dave Westwater, Steve Kearney, Steve Williams, Ken Cooke, Ted Kearney, Steve Stansfield, Alan Muir and Nigel Cliff. Don’t forget to thank them next time you see them, I’m sure they’d gratefully accept a drink from you too!
Anyone interested in joining the ground team
is encouraged to contact Steve Kearney on 07756239904.
Chris Beckett
OPAL Committee and Club Cricket Captain
J.D. Smith
21st March 21
It is with the deepest regret that I have to report the death of J.D. Smith who passed away on Friday 19th March.
Dave, who was Rugby Club Captain season 1968/69 will be remembered by all in the local rugby fraternity for his awesome and ferocious tackling ability which put pay to many an opposition back line. A true gentleman both on and off the field of play Dave will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his dear wife June, his daughters Rachel and Sharon and son Glen at this sad time.
The funeral of JD Smith will take place at Landican Cemetery on Friday 9th April at 10 am
The service will be restricted to family and invited friends but anyone wishing to pay their respects can be present to see Dave's cortage arrive at the crematorium. Alternatively the service will be available on webcast via www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-view
Log in ID: 88066
Password: mvrtedfw
Ken Cooke
OPAL Chairman
Club Stalwart 'Retires'
3rd March 21
This month Dave Westwater celebrates his 80th Birthday and has decided to relinquish his role as Chairman of the Ground Committee. For many years Dave has been the driving force behind the dedicated groups of volunteers who have worked on the grounds for the benefit of both the Rugby and Cricket sections of our great club.
Without Dave's experience in cajoling and bartering various people and companies, the grounds would not be in the superb condition they are today. In recent months, work outside the immediate playing areas has been undertaken to enhance the appearance of the whole grounds which will be apparent to all when we hopefully can return to the Club in the not too distant future. Another news article will follow highlighting some of this fantastic work.
I am hopeful that Dave will remain a valued member of the ground team, albeit as a foot soldier and not the General that he has been for so long.
I am sure you will all join me in wishing Dave a happy and healthy 80th birthday and pass on our sincere thanks for all the hard work and guidance
he has afforded us over the years.
Ken Cooke
OPAL Chairman
Rugby Season Cancelled!
3rd March 21
Dear Parkonians,
Unfortunately the inevitable decision
to cancel this seasons Halbro Leagues has been taken by the organisers.
Unless there is a major groundswell of demand from players to get games on after we are able, under the revised laws and permitted format, then it is my view that we should accept this season is lost. Consequently we should instead focus on keeping well and getting fit
and ready for next season when we may be back playing the game we all love.
Yours in Rugby,
Steve Barnett
Chairman of Rugby
New Flagpole Installed!
26th February 21
Geoff Davies
has kindly donated a flag pole and club flags to the Association. It was really great that Geoff was able to attend the Club today to hoist the Association flag for the first time.
I am sure you all join me in thanking Geoff for this very generous donation.
Ken Cooke
Chairman
Old Parkonians Association
Rugby Update
24th February 21
Hello everyone,
Following the government's announcement yesterday regarding a possible return to grassroots outdoors team sports, including community rugby, our earliest start for any activities will be Monday 29th March. Over the coming weeks we can expect guidance from the government and the RFU regarding numbers of players and what format of rugby game and/or rugby activities we can undertake.
We will communicate the revised road map back to rugby as it becomes available. In the meantime keep safe and well and maintain fitness as much as you can.
Steve Barnett
Chairman of Rugby
Junior Cricket Relaunch 2021
23rd February 21
Following the recent announcements by The Government and the reality of junior sports starting again in the near future, we are glad to announce that Old Parkonians CC will be running both the All Stars (5-8 year olds)
and Dynamos (8-11 years old)
ECB national programs in May 2021. Do not worry if you have a child that is slightly younger or older all are welcome.
Each of the programs come with brilliant equipment for the kids with great benefits
including priority tickets, memberships and more importantly lots of fun. All Stars will be taking place on Sunday mornings and Dynamos on a Thursday evening. We will also be starting an Under 9s team to play in the Wirral Junior Leagues
on Sunday mornings starting in hopefully late May and running up to at least the summer holidays.
The programs have been arranged but at this moment we are awaiting the ECB to allow them to go live and you can start booking onto them.
In the meantime, please have a look at the following website for more information; https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/junior
You can also register your interest on this site so that you receive an email to let you know when the booking system goes live. Hopefully, very soon!!
If you have any questions please also contact our two cricket activators for All Stars and Dynamos.
Dynamos and Under 9s – Adam Westwater – juniorcricket@oldparkonians.org.uk
All Stars – Greg Lindop – allstars@oldparkonians.org.uk
Please follow the clubs social media platforms for up to date information;
Facebook
– Old Parkonians CC Junior Section 2021
Twitter
- @OldParkonians
Instagram
– old_parkonians_cricket
We all hope to see as many young people as possible playing cricket this summer
and also if you feel you could give up some time to help then please get involved. Its great fun!
Hope to see you all soon, stay safe and get practising.
Adam Westwater
Junior Cricket Co-ordinator
A Message from the Chairman of Rugby
4th February 21
As we break into February it seems that the resumption of our great game of Rugby is still some way off for grassroots clubs like ourselves. All that we can do at our level is to keep ourselves and our families safe and well by keeping to the current guidelines and protecting the vulnerable.
Enjoy the launch of what we hope will be a competetive and entertaining Six Nations, which starts this weekend, and be ready to resume playing and enjoying rugby at Parkonians when we are finally allowed to return.
COME ON ENGLAND!
Best wishes to you and your families from me and mine.
Yours in Rugby,
Steve Barnett
Chairman of Rugby
New Year Update
1st January 21
Hello all and a very Happy New Year.
2020 was challenging for us all to say the least and whilst it is now behind us, 2021 starts with the same restrictions and anxiety. As you know we have returned to tier 3 which amongst other things means no access to the Clubhouse and bar facilities, putting even more of a burden on the Club finances. The fortnightly Sunday lunches really helped with income but now unfortunately they will have to stop. I would like to thank all of you who attended and supported this initiative set up by Chris and Steve. I would also like to thank all of you who continue to support the Club through Web Collect subscriptions. This is now our only source of income and is vital to keeping the Club afloat as we still have monthly outgoings whether we are open or not.
It was hoped that we would have a return to Rugby during the later part of January, but given the most recent revised tier status and the ongoing increase in Covid recordings this is becoming increasingly doubtful. However we live in hope!
If and when we are allowed to return to play there will be a considerable logistical challenge for the Club to ensure we and our guest Clubs are kept safe. Changing and showering facilities will need to be controlled and the use of the Clubhouse, if allowed, will be under the strict guidelines in place at the time. This will no doubt lead to frustration if access is limited and I ask all who may attend to show tolerance and consideration to both fellow members and staff alike.
The running of the Club still goes on and I would like to ask any of you who are willing and able to give a little of your time in support of the Ground Team who meet every Tuesday and Friday to work on the maintenance and enhancement of the grounds and club fabric. All you need to do is turn up (usually about 8.30am) for a few hours and take part. The work is good fun and ultimately ensures the Club house and grounds will look the part when we finally return to make use of them. I should know, I am their latest recruit!
In finishing, lets hope 2021 will bring us all back together sooner rather than later and until then stay safe and well.
Ken Cooke
Chairman
Old Parkonians Association
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