COVid-19

Playing Field facilities are being opened gradually and in line with government guidance.

INKPEN TENNIS COURTS

The Tennis Courts are now open for members. Social distancing will need to be observed if both courts are in use. The following article provides advice;  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/52630799. If you are interested in joining please email : inkpentennis@outlook.com  I will then email you the information.

Membership fees for this year are:
Individual     £25
Couple     £40
One adult and children under the age of 18    £35
Family (children under 18)     £50
Additional family members     £10 each
Students under 24 (not earning)     £15
Non-playing (couple/single)     £5

Please do consider joining even if you might be an infrequent player. The funds from the membership fees are a vital source of income to keep the courts and nets in a good, playable condition. Many thanks to Taj Woodgate for her continuing good works in spearheading the tennis club.

GIBBET CHALLENGE 2021

The 2021 Gibbet Challenge 10K race will take place on Sunday 27th June, 10:30am start at the Inkpen Memorial Playing Field. As always, it would great to see plenty of runners from Inkpen taking part. You don’t have to be quick, and you don’t need to run the whole thing! Full details, including the route map and how to enter, can be found at the race website - www.gibbetchallenge.net.

We require volunteers to help marshal the route (point the way, smile and applaud). If you have an hour to spare and want to help out please get in touch - Simon Hanna, admin@gibbetchallenge.net, 01488 669028.  

Inkpen cricket club

As the nights draw out and the weather becomes “nicer & warmer", it is a very special feeling to be able to dust off the pads and gloves, oil the bat and prepare the wicket for the start of Inkpen CC 2021 season, once again, kindly sponsored by Christian Alba's Butchers in Hungerford.

The season opener was at home, whereby we hosted our old friends, Kennet valley. The game was played in glorious sunshine with the backdrop of our wonderful new pavilion. The wicket was looking better than ever, made possible by the hard work in the off season by Doug Hall of Yew Tree garden centre and Simon Hanna, assisted by a team of volunteers.

Inkpen won the toss and chose to bowl. Kennet Valley hitting 200 runs in the 30 over format. Village cricket is available to all, some who can and some who try. The “can” in this instance was represented by a young away side player who is currently in the Gloucestershire U17’s set up, playing above his age grade.

After a delicious tea made up of homemade treats, Inkpen walked out to the crease. Despite a gallant effort, Inkpen fell 25 runs short of Kennet Valley's total hitting 175. It was a closely fought battle, but the winners on the day were the small number of socially distanced spectators enjoying the afternoon sun and village cricket.

Our second game, the following week, saw us travel to the beautiful village of Urchfont in Wiltshire. This game was not so close. Winning the toss again (which rarely happens to skipper Dave Lester) Inkpen chose to bowl first and restricted the home team to 123 runs for 4 wickets. Following the previous week’s batting display, we were quietly confident of notching up the first win of the season…. It is the hope that kills you and after a spectacular batting collapse Inkpen managed a not so respectable 54 all out with Mr Extras being the top scoring.

Despite the result we had a lovely afternoon in the Wiltshire sunshine and look forward to our next match. As a cricket club it is wonderful to be allowed to play again. We are always looking for new faces to join the club so please do get in touch if you are interest. We have all the kit - all you need are whites, two hands and two legs… oh, and a good sense of humour.

If you’re interested in playing and or want to know more about upcoming fixtures or you just want to read the critically acclaimed weekly match reports by the skipper, then please visit the website at www.Inkpencricketclub.org.

We hope to see you down at the Inkpen Memorial Playing Fields soon and here's to a wonderful summer of leather on willow.