After almost one hundred years, Stratton on the Fosse After almost one hundred years, Stratton on the Fosse Cricket Club is moving from the playing fields of Downside School to the sports grounds of Chilcompton.

The club, whose First Team won the double of the North Somerset Division One and the 20/20 Plate last year, is seeking pastures new for the 2015 season because of logistical reasons.

Secretary of the cricket club, Dave Travis, is happy about the move and looking forward to the future. He said: "In November 2013, we learnt that this would be our last season at Downside, so we contacted Chilcompton Sports with a view to joining the Sports Club and start playing in season 2015.

"We were officially invited to join Chilcompton Sports in January and have been made very welcome already by everyone associated with Chilcompton Sports. We will change our name in 2015 to Chilcompton Sports Cricket to fully integrate into the club."

 

Fundraising has already begun for the preparation of a cricket square starting in May 2014 and the club has purchased a Stothert & Pitt roller. Events planned are a quiz at Norton CC on 11th April and a Family Fun Day at Chilcompton Sports Ground on 26th May.

Mr Travis said: "Our aim is to continue to run three senior teams in season 2015 and also start a youth section at Chilcompton Sports. We intend to stage some youth taster days in the summer at Chilcompton Sports Field to introduce our club to the local community."

Tim Curtis, Chairman of Chilcompton Sports, said: "We are pleased to welcome Stratton Cricket Club into the family of sports clubs under the 'umbrella' of Chilcompton Sports. 

"In the early days of the project, when we were preparing for a Sport England Lottery application, we started a Chilcompton Cricket Club with the aim of supporting our application. However, the bid was unsuccessful and the club folded. So to see competitive cricket being played once again in the village is great news and increases the range of sports offered at the sports ground. Their desire to develop a youth section was also an important factor, as it dovetails nicely with a key aim of Chilcompton Sports'."