Good afternoon all,

I hope you are well. With today being the first day of the County Championship season and also marking one month until our first fixture, it seemed an opportune time to give you an update.

The 2019 season fixtures are now on the website and fixture cards have been printed – I will look to distribute these on an ad hoc basis as and when I bump into people. If you wish to take a few for onward distribution, please get in touch.

Our first game of the season is against Old Westcliffians on 5th May at Chalkwell Park and we follow this up with our first home game of the season, hosting Canewdon at the ACG on 12th May. Players, please mark your diaries for these games, (and do take a look at the full fixture list) as I will be in touch shortly regarding your availability for the first few games.

Pre-season training sessions have proved popular once again and these will continue on Sundays until the season starts. We also hope to start outdoor nets either during, or shortly after the Easter holidays.

If you are not already a member of the players’ match fee scheme, I urge you to sign up asap. This excellent scheme costs just £10 per month and provides a huge boost to the club’s coffers. Other benefits for members include:

• Membership covers regular season match fees,
• Scheme members are also exempt from match fees on tour (new for 2019),
• Discounts on club events e.g. awards dinner

We also launched a “Friends of Mount CC” scheme this year. This allows non-players, supporters and spectators to make a small regular donation, at their discretion, to further help the club finances. It is completely optional and we appreciate your consideration.

If you would like details of either scheme and how to sign up, please get in touch with our Treasurer, Anita Hair, or myself.

We are planning a pre-season “clean up” at the ground followed by a bbq - the likely date is 28th April (tbc), full details to follow. If you would be interested in coming along to help get the place in order and to be rewarded with a bite to eat and a beer or 2, please get in touch.

I have booked a few tickets for the “Vitality Blast” T20 fixture between Essex and Kent on August 30th and I have a small number left. If you would be interested, please get in touch. The tickets are £30 each and will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis.

Time to start limbering up!

All the best and of course...

...Go Mounties!