Cricket World Groundcare Awards 2023

It was again a pleasure to host the annual Cricket World Groundcare Awards at Lord’s.

The presentation party included Alastair Symondson (Head of Media Cricket World ) all the winners and their family and friends, sponsors and special guest – Karl McDermott (Ground Head, at Lord’s).

Winners

• Keith Hudson and Sharon Mitchell - Bridgeholme CC – Outstanding Achievement - Village
• Tim Carpenter – Melksham CC – Outstanding Achievement - Club
• Rodney McShane - Lurgan CC – Lifetime Achievement - Club
• Andrew Cartledge - Kineton CC – Special Achievement - Village

Winner Profiles

Keith Hudson and Sharon Mitchell - Outstanding Achievement – Bridgeholme CC - Village

Simply without Keith there would be no Bridgeholme. He has been the groundsman for over 35 years, only having help for the first 10 years. The club has been through absolutely devastating flood’s numerous times and this man has put blood, sweat and tears into keeping this ground going. Not only does ensure that the track is as best as it can possibly be each week but has built stands and displays by hand all around the ground, including a working waterfall!! People travel for miles just to see his work..

For around 10 years, Sharon Mitchell has assisted Keith off the field by producing the many thousands of plants that adorn the surrounds of the playing area of Bridgeholme CC, which has made it one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the UK.

Without both Keith and Sharon, Bridgeholme CC would not be the little cricket paradise it has become.

Rodney McShane - Lurgan CC – Lifetime Achievement – club

A true gentleman in the traditional sense, dedicated, modest, hardworking. Rodney has been the sole groundman at Lurgan cricket club for over 20 years, unstinting service to our club, formerly a one-time player and took on the role of groundman when he eventually called time as a player, Rodney always prepares an excellent playing surface for every weekly game, an excellent batting strip that always gives bowlers a little assistance if they can exploit same, our ground thanks to Rodney is the envy of the N.C.U. second to none and as such has staged many representative union matches, cup finals ( senior & Junior) and other high profile inter-pro games and all this is down to Rodney's skill and craftmanship as a high quality cricket groundsman and preparer of a 5 star pitch for all to play on and enjoy!

Tim Carpenter – Melksham CC – Outstanding Achievement

Tim has been our groundsman for 12 years, as well as setting up & running his own window cleaning business. When he took over our ground was in a poor state, there hadn't been any winter renovations carried out for many years. The outfield was like a minefield, after years of rugby training on it. Over the years the outfield has been transformed, as has the wicket, to such an extent our club hosted Wiltshire Ladies, 70 plus & 60 plus fixtures last season. Through Tim's enthusiasm, he has a small team of volunteer helpers, who not only look after our ground, but help the Council with their nearby grounds as well. The improvement in the ground has also resulted in some ex players returning to the Club.

Tim is a volunteer at a not for profit club and at the ground nearly every day of the year.. including days like Christmas day… He has so much pride for his wickets and ground it sits in.. He is always at the club doing something. Tim has also taken on a second ground this year to accommodate a new third team. We are very grateful to have him and all the hard work he does.

Andrew Cartledge - Kineton CC – Special Achievement club

Andy has been the club groundsman for many years and having been a player at the club spends hours preparing the square each year. The ground is heavily used throughout the summer with competitive games at junior and senior level, All stars and Dynamos, plus women's softball. The quality of his preparation is such that we host Warwickshire county games for boys, girls and over 50 each season. Andy has to work with VERY ancient equipment (we are village club) and spends lots of time tinkering with his mowers, rollers and tractors. Often searching free sites to get replacement parts to keep the machines running This is definitely above and beyond his role and without him over 150 individuals would have nowhere to enjoy this fabulous sport. He is a legend at Kineton.

Sponsors

We would again like to thank all our sponsors without whom the Awards would not be possible – Dennis, SISIS, Iseki, Howden Aston Lark and Stuart Canvas.

Many thanks also to our trophy creators - Dom and Pete - from the Charity - Don't Lose Hope

©Cricket World 2023