As Somerset announce their new pitch adviser the Appeal year is launched

Somerset have appointed Mike Ashwin from Midsomer Norton as their new pitch adviser.

Mike, who has been working in groundsmanship for over ten years is currently the groundsman at Lansdown C.C. in Bath and Midsomer Norton Cricket Club, and recently completed a week long seminar at Cranfield University to receive the necessary training to enable him to undertake his new post.

As a result of Mike Ashwin's appointment, Somerset are now in the process of promoting their new pitch advisers scheme, and can arrange for him to visit schools and clubs in the county to offer advice and support.

The Somerset Cricket Board are putting together a tariff of charges for the new pitch advisers services, which for a nominal fee will involve Mike in visiting the club or school and providing a pitch report, including an assessment of the square, ground cover and pests etc.

The new pitch adviser will also take three core samples that will be visually assessed to identify the soil type and based on these findings will then make recommendations.

Andrew Moulding the Somerset Cricket Development Officer told me: "This is a new service that will be greatly appreciated by all schools and clubs in the county, and will go a long way towards helping us to offer top quality playing surfaces for all cricket pitches in Somerset."

He concluded: "This is an exciting development for everyone, and in the near future we hope that Mike will set up a Somerset Groundsman's Association."

Anyone wishing to make use of the new pitch advisers services should contact Andrew Moulding at the Centre of Excellence at the County Ground, telephone number 01823 352266.

Meanwhile the Somerset County Cricket Club Appeal Year got underway with the Opening Lunch that was held in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion on Friday.

One hundred and seventy four guests attended the occasion, during which a silver salver was presented to Richard Parsons in recognition of his fourteen year as chairman and a bouquet of flowers was presented to Sandra Parsons.

After lunch, former Somerset player and first class umpire Roy Palmer entertained those present with his cricketing impersonations, including a superb `John Arlott', and `Jethro' stories which were very well received.

Robert Appleyard who organised the event told me afterwards: "This was an excellent start to the Somerset Appeal Year, and I was delighted to see so many of the old committee presrnt."

The next event on the fund raising calendar is `Roast with Robbo' that takes place next Sunday, April 13th in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion. After Sunday Lunch guests will be entertained by Peter Robinson who will share some of his cricketing experiences, before ending with a question and answer session.

Tickets for `Roast with Robbo' are priced at £15 each and can be obtained from the main office at the County Ground, telephone number 01823 272946.