On 27th June, Sarah Dines MP visited both Wirksworth and Middleton Cricket Club and Ashbourne Cricket Club to proactively discuss the reopening of the clubs with residents.
Sarah Dines MP said, ‘Watching my loved ones play cricket in the summer time has for the last 15 years been one of my favourite summertime pastimes. I am keen for cricket to be opened up as soon as possible as the game seems to lend itself well to social distancing and there are realistic risk mitigation measures that can be put in place to make the ball and the game as hygienic and safe as possible in this time of pandemic. I have been pressing the Secretary of State Oliver Dowden and his team in recent weeks for cricket to be one of the first of our much loved sports to re-open and I met with him on Monday to discuss the cricket clubs in Derbyshire Dales.
I visited two of our active and much loved local cricket clubs, Wirksworth and Middleton Cricket Club and Ashbourne Cricket Club. I have also written to all of our clubs on this subject.
In Derbyshire Dales District we have many clubs which have extensive membership of all ages who are not able to enjoy this great sport at the moment. The physical, social and mental health benefits of the game are really important to us as a nation. It's in our DNA and it’s also great fun.
When I visited the Wirksworth and Middleton Club at Wirksworth on Saturday I met with young and older members and the Chairman of the club, Sue, who set out all the work and preparations they have done to be ready to open and I applaud them for taking every precaution necessary.
I also visited Ashbourne Cricket Club later in the day and met with officials who kindly showed me around the club house. I had previously visited on 31 January last and it was wonderful to return in much warmer weather.
Like Wirksworth, Ashbourne has made extensive preparations to re-start playing. They have thought carefully about how they would operate safely and plans are in place.
I will also be speaking to Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary this week to put forward the views of constituents. We need to get cricket open again!
