Counting the cost

The development of Trent Bridge has met with approval from all quarters, a masterpiece of good taste and functionality, and there is more to come over the next five years, but the members have been enjoying the fruits of grand design for the paltry sum of £74 a year as well as a big discount on their Test match tickets. A survey undertaken by the chief executive David Collier found huge variations in subscriptions around the counties from a high of £140 at Northamptonshire to a low of £66 at Leicestershire and now cricket followers at Notts face an almost 33% rise in subs.

A letter from Barry Pailing, the chairman, set out the discrepancies and he added: "Even putting the price up to £99 a year still seems reasonable value and, with £20 off a £48 Test match ticket, we think it is a good deal. I've been pleasantly surprised by the response and our arguments have been readily accepted in most places."

There has also been investment in the team, currently on line to bounce back into the top division, and, as Pailing says, someone has to pay the wages of success.

"We are also investing in people," he says. "We want Trent Bridge to be a welcoming place and our stewards and staff to be nice to the members and treat visitors well." Perhaps other counties cannot match the architecture but they should all, Yorkshire in particular, take note of the last part.

Moment of the month Cornishman Charlie Shreck's six wickets against Derbyshire