Currently we pay around £1800 a year to an outside contractor to prepare our outfield. The contractor also cuts the ground without due consideration for the weather. We therefore want to purchase our own secondhand mower so that we can do the cutting ourselves; this means we can control the cutting and release funds for other projects, such as improvements to the Clubhouse, providing improved training equipment & providing professional coaching for our junior teams. By controlling the cutting of the outfield, we can provide better playing facilities & improve the look & feel for the playing area which, as it's common land, is actively used by anyone in the community. We also share the land with stoolball & tennis clubs, so we will be able to improve the look at the area for their members too,

What we'll deliver:

• Purchase second hand ride-on outfield mover

Why it's a great idea:

By purchasing this mower, we will be able to improve the environment for anyone who uses the land. This will include members of our cricket club, the stoolball club, the tennis club & anyone of the local community who uses the land for exercise & relaxation. As an aside, it will also release much needed club funds that we can look to reuse to improve the off-field & on-field activities for our club members, & also the opposition players & guests who visit the club throughout the summer.

Steps to get it done:

• Purchasing the ride-on mower

As the external contractor cuts the ground regardless of the weather, the ground is often cut when it is wet. This means the cuttings clog & the ground becomes unsightly; this then takes weeks & many cuttings to resolve. This has a big impact on the games that are played whilst the cuttings are in piles all around the ground.