Nottinghamshire Members' Forum 2023.1

As you'd expect, the Members' Forum didn't fail to disappoint!

We had a question about Duckett's non-availability, when some others in the England squad are playing with their counties in this round. The answer was that Ben is possibly in contention in all formats, so this week was his last chance for a break before all the England stuff. Others that are playing, are not likely to play in all formats for England.

We then had a metaphorical bouquet for the stewarding, when compared with Lancashire' stewarding. Although it sounds as though stewarding at Old Trafford is pretty rubbish.

There was a question about light, and if players can see the red ball or not when the umpires deem it to be too dark. I think we already knew that the red ball is difficult to see under the lights, hence the trials with a pink ball, but hey-ho the lad had the guts to stand up and ask the question.

One suggestion was made that when time has been lost on one day, why not start early the next day instead of extending the following day at the other end of the day. It was even suggested that starting play at 10.30 all season and not just in September might be beneficial. NM and PM agreed but said that that was for LP to lobby the ECB about.

Somethimes you have to wonder about folk and their priorities / reasons for attending the forum: we had a statement about the continued use of non-recyclable cups and dishes from Trent Bridge outlets.  LP concurred that the club aims to lower its carbon impact.

Praise was given for the belated repairs being carried out at Lady Bay, but it was said that anymore work would be dependent on the club's partner there being forthcoming with their share of the necessary funds. More work will be done there, but the time frame is a little sketchy.

Has Restaurant Six closed? Was another question that was asked. The answer was yes, because there were problems with staffing and because of the current financial squeeze , it was losing money. They had lost the chef (before closure) but other staff have been redeployed where possible but there has been some lay-offs sadly.

The team's catching this season was complimented on. PM stated that this was not an overnight thing, but after a lot of hard work, and could be traced back to an initiative started with Anton Roux three years ago.

One contentious point left over from the AGM and the "non-election" of two former players was asked about by a member. The enquiry was regards the what, hows and what has been put in place to stop any repeat of such an electoral farce. LP and the new chair waffled the party line without answering the question.

The gathered assembly were informed that Colin Munro has arrived in Nottingham whereas the "Eagle" lands on Monday.

> inserted < There was indeed a question about the clock and when it is going to tell the correct time for more than twice a day. LP went into a great detail about what was specified when it was installed blah blah. The short answer is that the necessary part is on its way and will be fitted around the next Bank Holiday (end of the month).

Another complaint was made by a Stoke member. He was upset by the lack of an ice cream vendor on the ground.LP assured him that one would in position for the Blast competition. The member wasn't impressed, stating that he only watches proper cricket.

As the players were leaving the pavilion a final question ws asked about what measures NCCC have in place so that no repeat of the Yorkshire fiasco occurs at our club. I didn't hear the answer but I'm told the answer was the usual HR, corporate line about safeguarding protocols blah blah. Everything you would expect any organisation in 2023 to say they have got in place.

 Friday of the Essex Game

Trent Bridge Pravda have decreed it safe for the top table to face the members after the team's crushing win over Northants and the battling draw in the previous home game. Memories of idiotic declarations have obviously been faded, as all members are so old and so forgetful or just plain daft, or even both!

No time has, as yet, been specified, but the usual MO is to have it during the short window opportunity of lunch, which often proves to be inadequate. [correction: social media specifies lunch but not the website]

The first members’ forum of the 2023 season will take place at Trent Bridge on Friday 19 May – day two of the red ball fixture against Essex.

A panel consisting of Chairman Andy Hunt, Chief Executive Lisa Pursehouse, Director of Cricket Mick Newell and Head Coach Peter Moores will take questions from the audience during the Lunch interval.

The venue’s Derek Randall Suite will play host to the event – situated at the rear of the Hound Road Lower with access gained via the concourse adjacent to the rear of the Pavilion.

There is no requirement to book, or submit questions, in advance.