As the new season is almost upon us, here is an opportunity to meet and discuss early form and hopes for the summer ahead.

Let us meet for a drink at the Peter Boat, Old Leigh next Thursday 4th May and then maybe on for food afterwards. Meet 7.30pm onwards.

There will be Mount nets starting at 18:00 this Wednesday evening, at Alleyn Court, for all those interested in getting some practice before the start of the season.

The new season is almost upon us and kicks off with the ever popular tri-series Nick Clough Cup. Please can you let me know as soon as possible if you are available for this fixture.

A bit of housekeeping bits before the start of the season.

Fixture Cards

There will be fixture cards available on the first day of the new season, but if you would like to review the full fixture list now please check the Mount website. On this point I'd like to extend a big thanks to Clarissa for updating the site and adding in even more stats and information to enjoy!

Subs and Match Fees

In reference to Clive's email earlier in month, I'd like to remind you that the subs and match fee structure has been updated for the 2017 season. There is a preferential monthly payment scheme in place which I urge you to join. If you want more information or bank account details, please contact me or Clive at any time.

Cricket gear and sponsorship

I'd also like to remind you that you can find our team shirts and a range of other Mount CC branded gear by clicking on the team store link.

I'm also pleased to advise that our sponsorship deal with 11 Plus Pod is now in place and that the committee has decided that, for the first year of the deal, the funds generated from sponsorship should benefit the team. Therefore you can receive a £10 discount on team shirts purchased at the online store by entering the code 'MountCC10' at the checkout page. This will bring the price down to just £12.99 plus delivery. The offer is limited to 1 shirt per purchase but if you wish to buy more than 1 (e.g. for you playing fathers and sons out there) the best route is to make separate purchases and contact serious sport who will then remove the additional delivery charges.

Ground and Tea Duty

Finally and apologies that this is turning into a very long email, but I also wanted to make all members aware that the responsibilities relating to ground duty on match days has been extended slightly. In addition to arriving an hour before the start to prepare the ground, we are also requesting that members on ground duty:

• Prepare the pavilion for tea by putting out the tables and chairs.
• Bring one cake to accompany the sandwiches which are being catered for tea.
• Remain after the game to help with clearing up the grounds and cleaning the pavilion before we lock up for the evening.

I wish you all the best for the forthcoming season and hope to see you down at the ACG!

Further to my previous mail regarding our new team kit shop and sponsor, I am delighted to announce that our new online store is now open! Please see the attached flyer for details and images of some of the range available.

You can find our team shirts and a range of other Mount CC branded gear by visiting the team store.

I’m also pleased to advise that our sponsorship deal with 11 Plus Pod is now in place and that the committee has decided that, for the first year of the deal, the funds generated from sponsorship should benefit the team. Therefore you can receive a £10 discount on team shirts purchased at the online store by entering the code ‘MountCC10’ at the checkout page. This will bring the price down to just £12.99 plus delivery. The offer is limited to 1 shirt per purchase but if you wish to buy more than 1 ( e.g. for you playing fathers and sons out there) the best route is to make separate purchases and contact serious sport who will then remove the additional delivery charges.

There is also an Easter weekend offer of free delivery for orders over £75, see attached for details – this offer cannot be used in conjunction with the shirt discount code. The store also has a huge range of cricket equipment, offers personalisation of shirts etc and I urge you all to take a look around.

If you have any questions, drop me a mail.

Finally, may I wish all Mounties a very happy Easter and advise you that there are just 16 days to our first fixture of the 2017 season - the Nick Clough TriSeries Cup. Fingers crossed for good weather and I hope to see many of you there. Details of this event and all our fixtures can be found on the fixtures page.

As Clive hinted in his last message, we have some exciting news regarding Mount CC: team kit and shirt sponsorship. We have today signed an agreement with SeriousCricket.co.uk who will be running an online shop where you will be able to purchase a range of Mount CC kit and cricket equipment including match shirts with the new team logo. I am also delighted to announce that we have entered into a shirt sponsorship arrangement with “11+ Pod” which enables us to offer a discount on any purchases which include a team shirt.

The designs and the online shop are being finalised as we speak and we anticipate that the online shop should be up and running within the next week enabling us to walk out in the new shirts for our first fixture of the season on April 30th.

I will keep you posted with updates as I have them.

The sun is out and the mornings are getting lighter which means only one thing. Cricket season is looming!

It was decided at this year's AGM to make a change to the subs and Match Fees structure.

The monthly payment scheme has been taken up by a solid core of merry men and they all benefit from no match fees during the regular season (ie all matches bar the tour) for a monthly payment of £10 (which doesn't even get noticed when it leaves your account!). I would encourage more of you to do this as it also helps the Club to know what's coming in on a regular basis.

Replacing the £35 a year sub and £10 match fee for “the others” we are now going to ask for £15 per match for Adults and £7 for Juniors and Students.

Doing the maths it is therefore surely sensible to get set up on the £10 a month "scheme"!?!

Let me know if you want to do this and I'll provide you with the Bank Details.

I know that we're close to making an announcement on shirts so "watch this space" for that!