Pavilion2022 - Message from Jon

I am thrilled to share the news with you that Pavilion2022 has been given the formal go ahead. After several years of hard work, Fernhurst CC has secured a grant of £150,000 from the England Cricket Board. It is a major vote of confidence in the cricket club and all we are trying to achieve. The ECB decision is hot on the heels of major grants from Sport England and South Downs National Park Authority. At a meeting on Monday, Fernhurst Recreation Ground Trust (FRGT) formally approved the construction project. The original budget of £700,000 has now been achieved but due to soaring costs and quotes in the building trade our fundraising will have to continue.

In another boost for the club, the ECB approved a further grant of £50,000 for the development of Women & Girls cricket. They and the Sussex Cricket Foundation have earmarked Fernhurst as a centre of excellence in this part of the world. Needless to say, I am delighted. The news follows the inaugural season of the I'Anson W&G league which was won by the Fernhurst Flames.

So, money - the fundraising simply must continue to guarantee the quality of facility we deserve. We, Fernhurst CC, are the leading sports club on fundraising for Pavilion2022 and we should be proud of that. We have guaranteed FRGT another £25,000 over five years (other clubs have made similar commitments).

If you would like to make a donation please email me in confidence (using the 'contact' tab above). On membership renewal on Membermojo we will be adding an 'opt in' button for £20 towards Pavilion2022. The new committee has agreed a modest rise of £10 in membership subscriptions for 2022. A £70 sub still means that membership of Fernhurst CC is well below every other local cricket club. We believe in Sport for All and that inclusive ethos is very important to all of us on the committee.

Many people have been involved in the fundraising but I want to pay a special tribute to our President John Mitchell and Vice Presidents Bill Gourlay, Peter Bristowe and Graham Heath. My predecessor as chairman, Derek Pope, got the ball rolling on this back in 2017. Thanks Derek.

The existing pavilion will soon close. Many happy memories were made there but, at 50 years old, it simply isn't up to the job anymore. I have no idea how long the building work will continue but 2022 will be a special, unusual season. Let's look forward to making some new memories when we finally get a pavilion to be proud of.

Kind regards, Jon Meier

Chairman, Fernhurst Cricket Club