John Blackwell here your Chairman. I am writing to you all at a time when we should all be looking forward to the season which would be due to start. But as you are all aware with the rest of sport in the UK, Cricket has been suspended - Cricket even at the lowest level is on lockdown.

This indeed is unprecedented times, and we must look to the bigger picture and realise that we must all do our part to help the NHS through this very difficult time. My thoughts go out to all the families that have lost members in this terrible pandemic and have loved ones working in the frontline. There will probably be many Cricket lovers among them and that alone brings it home to us all.

Our Groundsman Will is maintaining the ground which I have to say looks amazing, he’s done a wonderful job and hopefully we will all be able to enjoy the facilities at some time this season. The Colt Section has put a great video together on Instagram which was wonderful to see. Just to keep the social interaction between them alive is so important as we do have a terrific Colt Section. Meanwhile the Senior Players are also doing their bit by amusing each other and keeping spirits high.

However, unfortunately we do have to consider the possibility of there being no cricket played at all in the 2020 domestic season. The Club Committee continue to work hard to ensure the good health of the club, and I am delighted to report that the club has been successful in applying for a £10,000 grant under the Coronavirus Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Compensation Scheme announced by the Chancellor. We will also benefit from the rates exemption extended under this scheme for 2020-21. The grant received and rates exemption will allow the club to meet its costs over the coming year should there be no cricket played, without having to drain any existing cash reserves.

Many Club Members in both the Colt and Senior sections had already paid their club subscriptions for the 2020 season prior to the postponement being announced. All these Club Members will be contacted and offered the choice of either a full refund, or to use the money already paid towards their 2021 club subscriptions.

Similarly, some Colt Section Members had already paid money up front for nets which will now not take place. Again, these Club Members will be offered the choice of either a full refund, or to hold the money over for use against future net sessions.

At this time, I’d also like to send mine and the club’s thoughts and good wishes to all our Sponsors. Many have supported CTCC for many years and under these stressful times I’d like them to be assured that we are thinking of them. All Sponsors will be contacted and will be offered the choice of either a full refund of their 2020 sponsorship, or to roll the sponsorship money already paid over to 2021.

I hope that sooner rather than later we can enjoy a drink or two once again at our beautiful ground and I would love to see as many of you there as possible.

Once again, I wish you all well, keep safe, keep positive.

Best wishes

John Blackwell (Chairman) CTCC

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Covid-19 Chairmans letter

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